Kalarippayattu to mark India's Republic Day

On the occasion of the 64th Republic day celebrations of India, a performance of Kalarippayattu, a martial art form from Kerala has been organised at 6.15 pm on January 25 at the Lionel Wendt Auditorium, Colombo 7.

Kalarippayattu performers in action

The Kalarippatyattu troupe led by Gurukkal R Ramachandran Nair accompanied by the Madhava Madam CVN Kalari Sangam will showcase an awesome performance with real weapons in the traditional style. Minister for Cultural Affairs and the Arts T.B. Ekanyake will be the chief guest and High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha will preside over the function.

Kalarippayattu, is one of the oldest living traditions of martial training in the world, having its roots in the Dhanurveda, the ancient Indian science of warfare. Martial training and self-disciplining through a ritualistic and spiritual process of learning is synthesised in the Kalarippayattu tradition that found its roots in Kerala, the southernmost state of India.

Gurukkal Ramachandran Nair learnt the art of Kalrippayattu at the age of 14 under the martial art experts such as the late Velayudhan Nair Gurukkal, Govindankutty Gurukkal and Balan Nair Gurukkal.

Along with Kalarippayattu, he also learnt the traditional Ayurvedic cum Siddha treatment and Marma chikilsa. Marma Chikilsa is a specialised branch of Ayurvedic treatment and is also an integral part of Kalarippayattu. In 1969 he ventured to set up his own institution Madhava Madom C.V.N Kalari at Kollamkode.

He also started a sister concern at Pappanamcode in Trivandrum, Kerala, to broaden his teachings to aspiring cosmopolitan people as well as those from overseas countries.

The troupe's visit is sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi in association with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Arts. In addition to the Colombo performance the troupe will perform at 5 pm on January 28 at Hindu Cultural Hall, Kandy and at 6.30 pm on January 31 at Veerasingam Hall, Jaffna. For the Cololmbo performance a limited number of invitation cards is available at the Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo 7.