kalaripayattu

Sri Rudra C. V. N. Kalari is situated close to famous tourist centres like Kumarakom and Wagamon. Ajithkumar Gurukkal, the founder of this kalari, was the student of Malabar Vasudeva Gurukkal who belongs to the C. V. N. tradition. He established it in 1996, after having first learnt under his father Karunakaran Nair too. Sri Rudra is a kuzhi kalari and it focuses on Meypayattu, which is the cornerstone of the Northern style. Besides daily Kalaripayattu classes from 5 to 8 in the morning and 5 to 7 in the evenings, it offers yoga classes as well, three times a week.

Children from the age of seven are taken in for training programmes. No upper age limit has been fixed to induct interested pupils. According to a rough estimate, Sri Rudra must have trained at least 4,000 students in Kalaripayattu by now. At present nearly 80 students have been given admission for Kalaripayattu training. Women too enrol themselves for his courses, most of whom are physical education instructors at schools. Foreign students from countries like Japan, Switzerland and France have come here and signed up for short courses. Most prefer short-term programmes. Gurukkal travels all over Kerala and India to give Kalaripayattu performances in front of invited audiences, and participates in cultural events as well.

Students are given massage treatment and Marmachikitsa in the month of Karkidakam (July-August). Many foreigners also come here for treatment or rejuvenation therapies. All the oils required for massage and treatment are manufactured here itself. Accommodation facilities for up to eight inpatients are available, along with Kerala food. Sri Rudra Kalari is a recipient of the Membership Certificate issued by Responsible Tourism Mission of the Government of Kerala, that is valid for a period of three years, from 2018 to 2021. As it is a member of the Arts and Cultural Forum of Responsible Tourism Mission, many foreign tourists flock towards the kalari to watch the performances conducted there.  

On advance notice, Sri Rudra Kalari arranges Kalaripayattu performances, as well as Kerala’s own traditional dance forms, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.