Certificate Course

Kalari academy of performing arts offer certificate course in Kalaripayattu, the Traditional Martial Art of India. This programme is designed to meet the interests of the student to become a professional in Kalaripayattu.

DURATION: The duration of the programme would be four semesters.

SYLLABUS:
Semester I
(a) Chuvadu: The initial training in kalaripayattu focuses on achieving the skill to adopt certain stances which are broadly classified into two - 'Chuvadu and Vadivu'. Chuvadu is a position of the feet while Vadivu is a position of the posture of the body, keeping the chuvadu as its basis. The combinations of chuvadu and vadivu form the steps followed prior to an offensive or defensive maneuver. Chuvadu training stresses on various kinds of firm positioning of the feet.
(b) Vadivu: In vadivu, importance is given to the posture of the body. The ancient masters codified eight types of vadivus after watching the crouching attack positions of various animals. The eight vadivus are: Varaha - Wild Boar, Gaja - Elephant, Marjara - Cat, Simham - Lion, Sarpam - Snake, Kukkuda - Cock, Mayura - Peacock and Haya - Horse.
(c) Leg Exercises: There are ten types of leg exercises (kicks) are thought to each students.
(d) Meipayattu: Meipayattu meaning body in practice. It is a series of exercises, in 18 different lessons designed to achieve peak physical fitness and flexibility of the body. They include acrobatics, different types of flips and kicks.
Semester II
(a) Short Stick (Muchan): This wooden weapon is about 1.5 feet long (three span), mainly used for defense. It involves powerful blows and blocks with speed.
(b)Long Stick (Kettukari): This is a form of combat using a long cane stick, as tall as the trainee (5 ½ feet). This combat contains mainly offensive movements.
(c)Dagger (Kattaram): The dagger is a double-edged, sharp weapon made of tempered steel, with a length of about 1 ½ feet. This combat contains thrusts and blocks.
(d) Knife (kathipayattu): A smaller version of Dagger. It is a small handy double edged weapon.
(e) Kaikuthipayattu: Advanced body training to improve ones stamina, power and concentration.

Semester III
(a) CURVED STICK (Ottakol): This is a horn shaped weapon with a knob at one end. The knob is used to attack the vital spots of the nervous system.
(b) SWORD AND SHIELD (Vallum parichayum): The sword is used for offence and the shield is used for defense. The most important and advanced fighting with the sword and the shield is called Puliyangam, the combat being likened to a battle between leopards.
(c) SWORD AND SPEAR (Marapidichakuntham): One combatant is armed with a sword and shield and the other with a spear.
(d) Udaval: This is the training in fight with sword. Attack and defense are done by sword only.
(e) BARE-HANDED COMBAT (Verumkai): These techniques include those that are used to disarm and disable an opponent.
Semester IV
(a) FLEXIBLE SWORD (Urumi): The Urumi is the most dangerous weapon in the Kalari system. It is six feet in length, flexible, and can be worn around the waist.
(b) Kalari Massage (Uzhichil): Uzhichil or a medicated massage is used to make the body supple. It stimulates the nerves and relaxes the muscles.
(c) Marmapoints : The final training of a dedicated student includes training in Ayurveda and identifying the 64 Kula Marmas (deadly spots) in the human body.

General Rules:
The students shall be required to secure a minimum of 70% marks in each course in order to be eligible for promotion to the next semester
A Faculty Certificate is issued on the successful completion of each unit.

Regular classes
Short term classes
Certificate course