This usually is as long
as the distance from the ground to the ear
of the practitioner while standing. Needless
to say that the length of the staff varies
according to the height of the user. Most
kalari practitioners use rattan sticks about
.05 inches to 1 inch thick and of the
prescribed length. Training begins with the
practice of many of the turning, twisting
and swirling movements done as Chuvadu or
solo forms. Long practice of these gives the
trainee the necessary skill to hit from any
and every angle and more importantly turn
and block attacks from any direction or
angle, even from positions of disadvantage.
In many of the Thekkan schools a special
equipment or training device called
“Rattu” is used to prepare the trainees
for the rigors of the long staff training.
The next step is the prearranged sparring
with partners. This is very dangerous since
no protective equipments are used. Constant,
dedicated practice of long staff develops
the fighting skill along with terrific
strength in the wrist and forearm regions.
3. Knife / dagger
This training begins
after a pooja (performing of religious rite)
on an auspicious occasion and is the
stepping stone to the world of weapons made
of metals. The practice and training
revolves around prearranged sparring and is
designed to simulate the use of knife in
attack or defense in every conceivable way.
Evasion, parrying, blocking and disarming
techniques are taught. Again no protective
gear is worn and even a split second
relaxation of vigil on the part of the
practitioners can spell disaster.
4. Vettukathi ( a form
of machete or Kukri)
Almost same as the knife
training but with additional techniques for
the cutting movements of the machete. Many
sparring techniques using a combination of
the knife and Vettukathi are used. Since
this a common implement (and hence
“legal”) used for the daily chores both
in the households and by people working in
the coconut plantations, learning these
techniques can be handy in a street brawl.
5. Valum parichayum (
sword and round shield)
Moving up to the training
of swordsmanship in Kalarippayattu means
graduation of the student. The most famous
of all kalari weapons are the sword and the
shield. The training demands unwavering
concentration, utmost agility, fast foot
work and quick reflexes form the students.
Apart from the sword and shield combination,
fighting with one sword without any shield
and two swords (one in each hand) and
against multiple opponents are included in
the training.
6. Churika
This is a weapon mostly
used by the northern stylists, (and in the
northern system it is called Katara. Churika
in the northern system means another weapon)
but some Asans (Asan = guru or teacher)
incorporate the Churika training in their
training. Thrusting, parrying and blocking
movements are performed in linear fashion
moving forward and backward.
7. Chuttuval (flexible
sword)
This is called as Urumi in the northern
system. It is a flexible band of steel
measuring in length from the fingertip of
one hand to the finger tip of the other hand
when the hands are held outstretched to the
sides and1 to 2 inches wide. Here agility
and mental sharpness counts more than
strength or aggression. Twirling and
controlling urumi is an art by itself
possible only for those who spend long hours
in the kalari. One false movement can slash
the eyes, calves and many other parts of the
practitioner. This one calls for utmost
concentration even from the expert trainees.
Some times two blades are attached to the
handle so that the urumi can be made more
lethal. If used in a crowded situation when
attacked by multiple opponents, the urumi
can save the dedicated kalari student by
inflicting heavy injuries to the aggressors.
Urumi has another advantage – this weapon
can be worn like a waist belt and can be
drawn when demanded.
8. Kottukampu or
Thavikkana
A small stick about the
thickness of one’s thumb and measuring in
length about the distance from the tip of
the thumb to the tip of the smallest finger
when the fingers and the thumb are held in
an outstretched position. This weapon can be
extremely lethal in the hands of a trained
kalari master. It is used to strike the
vital points or Marma points while blocking
strikes of an opponent and/or while
attacking. It is made from the trunks of
palm trees or areca nut trees. Only those
students stay with the Asan or master long
enough to pass through the other stages of
training will be considered eligible for
training with this weapon. Understanding of
the science of the vital point striking is a
prerequisite for this training.
