Launch of the book: Kalarippayattu. A Holistic Martial Art from India
Remembering the Summer School of Studio Kalari 2022
Regularity of kalari practice
Kalari, kalaripayat or kalarippayattu?
The conversation in Polish usually goes like this: – I practice a martial art. – Cool, which one? – Kalarippayattu. – [Consternation] Uh… I’ve never heard of it. What’s it called? I won’t repeat…
On the one hand I understand that the name may be surprising, but on the other hand if Polish people can pronounce easily “Szczebrzeszyn” or “źdźbło”, the word “kalaripayatu” (that’s how you hear it) shouldn’t be too complicated to say.
However, how is the name of this martial art actually spelled and pronounced? Not only is it little known, but also the name may be confusing – so how to popularise it? In this article, I’d like to explain the name and its meaning so it becomes clear and comprehensible.
I don’t know how much the readers of the blog are interested in linguistic nuances, so I won’t go into detail very much, although personally I like such topics (I’ve learned various languages since childhood and also studied Latin and ancient Greek at the university for two years). Also, I really wish there’s clarity on the topic of kalarippayattu, especially since it’s not easy to get explanation of spelling.
What is the meaning of kalarippayattu?
Although the martial art of kalarippayattu has been known for many centuries or even millenia (more on history is here), its name was created at the beginning of the 20th century. It consists of two words: kalari (from the Sanskrit khalurika) – a place of military training, space, an arena, and payatt (from the Tamil payil), which is translated as exercise, training, practice. Earlier these words were used too but separately. The word kalari is also used to describe, among others, a hall for training of kathakali or kutiyattam (Kerala’s theatre and dance genres) and a place where healing treatments and massages are applied.
Kalari, kalaripayat or kalarippayattu – which version is correct?
കളരിപ്പയറ്റ്
This word written in Malayalam script (the language spoken in Kerala) in English transliteration looks like this: kalarippayatt. Malayalam is a syllabic language – it means that one letter corresponds to one syllable with a default vowel (“a”) which can be modified with different diacritics. When we decipher the name, it will be:
ക (ka) ള (la) രി (ri) പ്പ (ppa) യ (ya) റ്റ് (tt)
Although the correct transliteration of the word is kalarippayatt, it is so complicated that various forms of writing function, of course also in Kerala and India itself. The most common English-language versions are: kalaripayattu, kalarippayattu, kalaripayattu, kalarippayat, kalarippayat and – luckily for everyone – the shortened version: kalari.
The kalarippayattu version was popularised in the West mainly by Phillip B. Zarrilli, author of the book published in 1998 “When the Body Becomes All Eyes. Paradigms, Discourses and Practices of Power in Kalarippayattu, a South Indian Martial Art” (I also invite you to read the article on books on kalari). The final “u” can be argued about (theoretically – in spelling – it does not exist, but the “t” is pronounced in a way that “u” is kind of heard), and although the number of “p” and “t” is clearly defined in spelling, they sound rather like single letters . Hence the various versions of the name.
Transliteration of words from Indian alphabets can be complicated because they have sounds that are difficult to render in other writing systems. For example, sometimes there are better equivalents in Polish than in English, because in Polish we have the sounds “s”, “ś” and “sz”, although in Indian languages there are hard and soft “sz” (2 types) rather than “ś”. English, on the other hand, has only “s” and “sh”. For example, the name ശങ്കര് in Polish is Śankar, while in the English transcription there are two versions: Shankar or Sankar (in my husband’s passport it’s spelled Sankar and some people pronounce the name this way). Apart from that, there are many other letters that do not make learning Malayalam easy, like two kinds of “l”, “r” or “n”. On top of that, many consonants come in retroflexed and aspirated versions (t, th, ṭ, ṭh), and vowels can be long or short. Some examples:
- ആന (aana) – elephant
- പഴം (pazham) – fruit (ഴ is „l” spelled and pronounced in English as “zh”)
- ഞങ്ങൾ (ñaṅṅaḷ) – we (pronounced „nyangal”)
- അടി (aṭi) – beat („t” pronounced similar to „d”)
- കഥ (katha) – story („aspirated t”)
- തിരുവനന്തപുരം (Tiruvanaṁtapuram) – Tiruvanantapuram, the capital of Kerala
It is therefore not surprising that Indian words are written in the Latin alphabet in very different ways. Although there is an official system of transliteration (but differences can depend also on state, administration and a clerck), in common practice the notation is simplified and often based on hearing. If you wish to learn more about Malayalam alphabet and pronounciation, you can visit for example the website of the Austin University.
There are 22 official languages in India (some use the same alphabet, Devanagari, but many languages have their own alphabets, such as Malayalam) and over 400 dialects, so the scale of this phenomenon is very large. This article does not explore the subject fully, but is only meant to signal the complexity of the naming issue and to encourage you to draw the only possible conclusion: kalarippayattu is not such a difficult word. Not even mentioning a kalari.
PS Another issue is names of Indian cities which were renamed during the British Rule (1858–1947). Since reclaiming independence by India in 1947, the original names have been restored, although sometimes both of them are still in use. Some examples:
- Bombay – Mumbai
- Madras – Chennai
- Calcutta – Kolkata
- Trivandrum – Thiruvananthapuram
- Bangalore – Bengaluru
Animal postures in kalari training

Animal postures are one of the characteristic elements of kalarippayattu training. There are 8 classical postures (ashta vadivu), but the number and exact performance of a posture often depends on the style and the particular school of kalarippayattu. For example, a cat is often combined with a turtle and a peacock with a fish. Then there is also the snake pose (sarpa vadivu).
Crouching lion, hidden boar

The animal postures are based on the observation of vigilant animals and are aimed at concentrating power and achieving explosiveness, i.e. generating the greatest possible force in the shortest possible time. Just as an animal before attacking or defending itself is crouched and ready to make a sudden, energetic and precise movement, so the kalarippayattu adept is maximally focused and ready to react. These poses, like many other elements of kalari training, have various effects on the body: they strengthen muscles (often a given position is held for several dozen seconds), make joints more flexible, and develop balance and stability.
The animal postures presented in the film are:
- Gaja vadivu: elephant
- Simha vadivu: lion
- Varaaha vadivu: boar
- Kukkuda vadivu: rooster
- Mayura vadivu: peacock
- Matsya vadivu: fish
- Ashwa vadivu: horse
- Maarjaara vadivu: cat
- Kurma vadivu: turtle
The video below shows the animal postures in one of the ways we often do them in our classes – one at a time, one after the other, right and left. There are also many exercises where a posture is repeated many times to master it to perfection. Individual postures are also part of longer sequences of movements and combat, but then they are performed quickly, moving smoothly between different elements.
Some of the exercises using animal positions are shown on the blog in the article 10 typical kalari exercises.
10 typical kalari exercises
How does a kalari training look like?
Usually when we come to a kalari (kalaripayattu) class, the first exercise done after a ceremonial salutation that starts the training, is different kind of kicks. Afterwards, there are sequences of steps and postures done along the long side of the room. Each exercise ends with a specific transition, which aims to maintain the flow of training and develop stamina. The next elements are done in one place and include different types of lunges, jumping, push-ups, bridges, as well as animal postures. These exercises often combine conditioning elements with stretching. The next part is movement sequences that include defensive and offensive movements. They are practised together with the group, but not in contact. The last part of the workout is empty hand combat and weapon combat which concerns only the most advanced students. This stage usually is done after at least a few months of practice.
What matters most in the training, from the very beginning, is observation and understanding of how our body works, as well as precision. Basic positions and movements are repeated later in more complex and dynamic movement sequences done both individually, as well as in contact with a partner / opponent during combat.
First kalari exercises
In the film below, the initial warm-up exercises are shown. Each of them is presented once, but during a training, we repeat them many times (especially the kicks). This part of a class usually takes a dozen or so minutes. Traditionally students in Kerala would even do just the straight kicks for months before a master would decide that they are ready to learn further elements of training.
Although at our classes we teach more than one exercise at once, we always emphasize that the most important is the precision and patience. Progress requires time and takes place on several levels such as breath control, strength, flexibility, range of movement, coordination, balance, speed, concentration and stamina.
10 kalari exercises shown in the video:
1. Straight kick (ner kaal)
2. Round kick (otta kal)
3. Cross kick (kone kaal)
4. Double kick (tirichu kaal)
5. Kick-sit-turn (irutti kaal)
6. Sliding lunge (neeki theruthu)
7. Sliding lunge with sit (neeki ammarnnu)
8. Sequence that combines the lion and wild boar postures (veedu vangi)
9. Squat with stretched arms (kai kuttu nokku)
10. Sequence with elephant posture
These exercises are common in kalarippayattu schools, although often there are small differences in some movements or postures; they can also be repeated in a different order.
Do I need to be strong and flexible to start kalari practice?
Looking at photos and films that show exercises and forms of kalarippayattu, you can doubt your condition. Of course, when new students come to a class, no such skills are expected from them – they come to learn something during trainings, and not to immediately demonstrate anything. If someone is interested in practice and they will practice regularly, they gradually will progress. These exercises are very complex and there is always something to be discovered and improved.
Uniting kalari through photos – an interview with American photographer Jeff Schaeffer
Books on kalarippayattu
10 years of Studio Kalari
Studio Kalari turns 10!

On May 7, 2010, at the Grotowski Institute in Wrocław we inaugurated regular activities as Studio Kalari with a lecture on kalarippayattu, and the next day the first official training took place. Continue reading “10 years of Studio Kalari”