Kalaripayat is a Dravidian martial art from Kerala in south India. Possibly one of the oldest fighting systems in existence, it is practiced in Kerala and contiguous parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as well as northeastern Sri Lanka and among the Malayalee community of Malaysia.
Internationally-known CVN Kalari, from Trivandram, Kerala State, led by their Gurukkal – G. Sathyanarayanan, will demonstrate India’s martial art system of Kalaripayat, its various forms and techniques of metal weapons, wooden weapons and unarmed combat techniques. The group will also discuss about unique portions of Ayurveda, India’s system of traditional medicine that was born in and grew out of Kalaripayat. In particular, treating injuries to the skeletal, muscular and circulatory systems.
Co-Sponsor: Asian Arts and Cultural Council in New York
CVN Kalari is internationally known for their demonstration and practice of Kalaripayat, India's traditional martial arts system. Hailing from Trivandrum, Kerala State, the group is headed by Govindan Kutty Nair Sathyanarayanan, the Gurukkal of CVN Kalari. Training since the age of 10, Govindan is a performer, consultant, teacher, actor, and dancer. He has performed in many countries such as China, England, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and even in the film “The Myth” with Jackie Chan.
Accompanying the Gurukkal are: Balakrishnan Harindranath, one of the youngest boys to win the state Kalaripayat championships in 1982. Balakrishnan is also the winner of two gold medals in the 1985 and 1990 Olympics for Fencing. Nagappan Nair Rajasekharan Nair has won various individual and team medals at the Team Championships for Kalarippayat (1972 to 1975). Nagappan is also a senior instructor and teaches students theatre, dance, and martial arts. Ravikumar Ram Kumar is trained in the art of weaponry, and has conducted workshops on Kalaripayat for the professional dance group Emio/Greco PC in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
