Youngsters learning the steps of Kalaripayattu

The ancient martial art of Kerala, Kalaripayattu is regarded as a highly scientific art of its kind. Kalaripayattu training focuses on the co-ordination of mind and body. A system of scientifically arranged and well graded series of exercises is there in this martial art.

These exercises, formulated by the ancient masters of Kalaripayattu, are for achieving maximum physical agility.

Physical training is known as Meypayattu (mey means body in local parlance and payattu, exercise).

Rigorous exercises are there for hand, legs and other body parts.
Twelve kinds of exercises are there for legs. There are also regulations on how to perform leaps and jumps.

Basic exercises like iruthikkaal and soochikkiruthal are also performed as part of the exercises. 

There is also a scientific medicine system called Kalarichikilsa associated with this martial art. Kalarichikilsa, the herbal medicine system is highly effective for bruises and sprains.

There are two styles of Kalaripayattu; the North Kerala and South Kerala styles. The video is taken from CVN Kalari, Thiruvananthapuram.