The Bhopal young theatre aspirants are learning the martial arts ‘Kalaripayattu’ of Kerala. K Vinod a martial art expert from Kerela, is training the participants Kalaripayattu. He is conducting the session in a theatre ballet workshop organised by Kirti Ballet and Performing Arts Group at Utkal Bhavan.
Martial arts bring a kind of discipline in life. It awakens the inner strength in an individual, believes the martial art expert K Vinod. He said that the time in theatre presentations is changing and if folk techniques are mixed with the martial art the presentation will become more attractive to perform.
He said that the theatre artists of Kirti Ballet are good with folk and traditional ballet and so it is a kid of fun to be with them. The 10-day long workshop began here on Wednesday at Utkal Bhavan.
Initially the artists were given a theory knowledge of the art. It is to be noted that Kalaripayattu is a martial art, which originated as a style in Kerala, southern India. The word kalari first appears in the Tamil Sangam literature to describe both a battlefield and combat arena. The word kalari tatt denoted a martial feat, while kalari kozhai meant a coward in war.
Each warrior in the Sangam era received regular military training. It is considered to be one of the oldest surviving fighting systems in still existence in the world. It was originally practiced in northern and central parts of Kerala and southern parts of Tamil Nadu.
On the third day, the aspirants were taught about the swift movements of Kalaripayattu. The young aspirants have learned the art with the bamboo sticks and the swords as well.