In Kerala, southern India there still exists an ancient martial art which is believed to be the very thing which gave birth to Shaolin kung fu and jiu jitsu. Despite a longstanding ban under British rule, the secrets of kalaripayattu have been passed down by masters who are leading a revival of the form.
Kalaripayattu: The First Martial Art
- Thread starter KedarT
- Start date
RescueRanger
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 16,370
- Reaction score
- 244
- Country
- Location
What the actual fig is this? The first recorded martial art is a form of wrestling practiced in what is now considered modern Greece.
Other ancient physical martial arts are lost to antiquity so this claim of “first” martial arts is a nonsense.
As far as oriental martial arts is concerned Suhai Jiao is the oldest recorded oriental martial arts.
These Indian claims only go to prove how desperate this nation is at attempting to appropriate history and culture and re-brand everything as “Indian”:
Case in point: remember India the world is not laughing with you- they are laughing at YOU!
Other ancient physical martial arts are lost to antiquity so this claim of “first” martial arts is a nonsense.
As far as oriental martial arts is concerned Suhai Jiao is the oldest recorded oriental martial arts.
These Indian claims only go to prove how desperate this nation is at attempting to appropriate history and culture and re-brand everything as “Indian”:
Case in point: remember India the world is not laughing with you- they are laughing at YOU!
I found this article:
Forged in God’s own country, Kerala, Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art that literally means ‘Art Of The Battlefield.' Kerala was a highly martial state once upon a time, where self defense using weaponry was considered an integral part of a child’s education. Kids were sent to Kalari dojos that held the same reverence as temples, as a rite of passage.
Here are five things you must know about the ancient art of Kalaripayattu:
Birthed Kung Fu And Other Martial Arts
Legend has it that Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist Monk was an ardent practitioner of Kalaripayattu. He was so enamoured by this combat style that he took it with him to China around 6th Century AD. Over there, Kalaripayattu evolved into Shaolin Kung Fu, which, in turn, birthed several other martial arts like Karate and Taekwondo over time.
Meditative Combat
The meditative nature of several martial arts can be traced back to Kalaripayattu. This combat style melds high-octane acrobatics with several yogic movements. Meant to hone the mind as well as the body, Kalaripayattu believes that the inner workings of our minds can often resemble a battlefield, and to gain victory over it one must be disciplined and mindful.
Uses Weapons
Owing to Kerala’s martial origins, use of weaponry constitutes a formative part of Kalaripayattu. Practitioners need to first master combat using ordinary wooden sticks, before they are allowed to graduate to more lethal weapons such as spears, daggers, swords and Urumi, a coiled sword that requires a high level of skill to wield it. An important point to be noted is that Kalaripayattu is intended as a form of self defense rather than initiating attack.
Inspired By Nature
Nature is often the best teacher, and Kalaripayattu has held that belief for eons. A testament to it’s holistic nature is how gracefully the movements of several animals are incorporated into this ancient martial art. The acrobatic leaps, rolls and dives are all movements inspired by the habits and fighting techniques of animals such as tigers, elephants, horses, lions, cobras and fighting cocks.
Banned By The British
When India was colonised by the British, the practice of Kalaripayattu was outlawed. They feared a revolution emboldened by this ancient martial art could very well spell doom for their rule. This led to fewer people practicing it within Kerala. However, post independence, Kalaripayattu has been steadily reclaiming its relevance in society.
One must look at Kalaripayattu as a means to achieve holistic health as it not only nourishes the body, but the mind as well. The benefits of Kalaripayattu can reverberate across different aspects of your life.
5 things To Know About Kalaripayattu, The Ancient Indian Martial Art That Birthed Kung Fu
Forged in God’s own country, Kerala, Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art that literally means ‘Art Of The Battlefield.'
www.mensxp.com
And this one
The cranky Indian prince who invented kung fu
At the Shaolin monastery, Bodhidharma saw that the monks were weak from meditation and fasting. He taught them the martial arts he had learned as a young prince…similar to Kalaripayattu! This gave birth to the famous kung-fu warrior monks of Shaolin!
indianexpress.com
Regardless of whether it influenced Kung Fu or Shaolin, Kalaripayttu looks pretty dope to me.
RescueRanger
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 16,370
- Reaction score
- 244
- Country
- Location
Both are Indian sources. I study martial arts- have been practicing martial arts since aged 12. The first competitive and combat martial arts in history is Wrestling. It’s actually the only combat sport to be penned in the first ever olympics.I found this article:
Forged in God’s own country, Kerala, Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art that literally means ‘Art Of The Battlefield.' Kerala was a highly martial state once upon a time, where self defense using weaponry was considered an integral part of a child’s education. Kids were sent to Kalari dojos that held the same reverence as temples, as a rite of passage.
Here are five things you must know about the ancient art of Kalaripayattu:
Birthed Kung Fu And Other Martial Arts
Legend has it that Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist Monk was an ardent practitioner of Kalaripayattu. He was so enamoured by this combat style that he took it with him to China around 6th Century AD. Over there, Kalaripayattu evolved into Shaolin Kung Fu, which, in turn, birthed several other martial arts like Karate and Taekwondo over time.
© iStock
Meditative Combat
The meditative nature of several martial arts can be traced back to Kalaripayattu. This combat style melds high-octane acrobatics with several yogic movements. Meant to hone the mind as well as the body, Kalaripayattu believes that the inner workings of our minds can often resemble a battlefield, and to gain victory over it one must be disciplined and mindful.
© iStock
Uses Weapons
Owing to Kerala’s martial origins, use of weaponry constitutes a formative part of Kalaripayattu. Practitioners need to first master combat using ordinary wooden sticks, before they are allowed to graduate to more lethal weapons such as spears, daggers, swords and Urumi, a coiled sword that requires a high level of skill to wield it. An important point to be noted is that Kalaripayattu is intended as a form of self defense rather than initiating attack.
© iStock
Inspired By Nature
Nature is often the best teacher, and Kalaripayattu has held that belief for eons. A testament to it’s holistic nature is how gracefully the movements of several animals are incorporated into this ancient martial art. The acrobatic leaps, rolls and dives are all movements inspired by the habits and fighting techniques of animals such as tigers, elephants, horses, lions, cobras and fighting cocks.
© iStock
Banned By The British
When India was colonised by the British, the practice of Kalaripayattu was outlawed. They feared a revolution emboldened by this ancient martial art could very well spell doom for their rule. This led to fewer people practicing it within Kerala. However, post independence, Kalaripayattu has been steadily reclaiming its relevance in society.
© iStock
One must look at Kalaripayattu as a means to achieve holistic health as it not only nourishes the body, but the mind as well. The benefits of Kalaripayattu can reverberate across different aspects of your life.
5 things To Know About Kalaripayattu, The Ancient Indian Martial Art That Birthed Kung Fu
Forged in God’s own country, Kerala, Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art that literally means ‘Art Of The Battlefield.'
And this one
The cranky Indian prince who invented kung fu
At the Shaolin monastery, Bodhidharma saw that the monks were weak from meditation and fasting. He taught them the martial arts he had learned as a young prince…similar to Kalaripayattu! This gave birth to the famous kung-fu warrior monks of Shaolin!
The rest is just “feel good” fluff!
Try this link as well:
Kalaripayattu: The World's First Martial Art
The mother of all martial arts? We chat with master Sankar Lal and Italian theatre company Teatro de Venti about the ancient practice of Kalaripayattu
www.amexessentials.com
RescueRanger
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 16,370
- Reaction score
- 244
- Country
- Location
Read the article you just shared opening summary: “The Mother of Martial Arts… Perhaps”…Try this link as well:
Kalaripayattu: The World's First Martial Art
The mother of all martial arts? We chat with master Sankar Lal and Italian theatre company Teatro de Venti about the ancient practice of Kalaripayattu
“Perhaps”.
Friend you are quoting Amex tourist articles - Google Pankration- read about it and then reply to me
Hmm, it being the oldest martial art is not what I'm contesting. But it definitely is one of the oldest martial arts in the world and also possibly, might have given birth to Kung Fu, based on a few articles and videos.Read the article you just shared opening summary: “The Mother of Martial Arts… Perhaps”…
“Perhaps”.
Friend you are quoting Amex tourist articles - Google Pankration- read about it and then reply to me
Sadly, not many people know about this beautiful martial art and it's great to see that it having a revival in Kerala. In fact, other states too should start picking up these and setup their own kallars for it's practice.
If it becomes popular enough, it can even be added in the Olympics. It will be nice to see a South Asian sport in the Olympics.
RescueRanger
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 16,370
- Reaction score
- 244
- Country
- Location
Yes I too would like to see a south Asian martial arts in Olympic. I can agree with this
percent.
The name is "Kalari" or the "Art of fighting".
Payattu is just the corrupted form of english "Fight"
Its not the oldest, just the oldest surviving fighting form, though it now exists in a much depleted form.
Another one is Sanatana Shatra Vidya, Again this too now exist in a very shallow form
Payattu is just the corrupted form of english "Fight"
Its not the oldest, just the oldest surviving fighting form, though it now exists in a much depleted form.
Another one is Sanatana Shatra Vidya, Again this too now exist in a very shallow form
Similar threads
