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Don’t let her appearance fool you. Clad in a sari, with the pallu neatly tucked in and with a disarming smile, this septuagenarian might seem like the epitome of grandmotherly affection. But once she steps into her Kalari, this remarkable woman will charm you with her spectacular skills in Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art form of Kerala. Meet Meenakshy Raghavan, who was recently bestowed with the fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, by the Government of India.
At 76, Meenakshy Amma is the oldest woman practising Kalaripayattu and how! As she takes a stance all draped in a sari, her grip firm on the sword, her eyes unflinching and deftly launches her strike overpowering her opponent, one realises that the greys never left a mark. Her eyes, movements and reflexes are as sharp as a tigress’s.
Meenakshy was just seven when she first stepped into the Kalari to learn Kalaripayattu. She was soon under its spell and has been wedded to it ever since. She was mentored at the Kadathanad Kalari Sangham by Kalari exponent Mr. V. P. Raghavan Gurukkal whom she married later on.
After Raghavan Gurukkal passed away, Meenakshy Amma took over and has been instrumental in bringing many enthusiasts into the martial art’s fold and thereby popularising this martial art. Her school often sees women of all walks of life, irrespective of their age, enrolling themselves. Students even arrive from abroad to master Kalaripayattu from this expert.
There is no fee here and all a student gives back is the gurudakshina (offering made by the student to the teacher after a period of study). This is in line with the true spirit with which the Kalari Sangham was founded-a centre where anyone passionate about Kalaripayattu could learn it. Raghavan Gurrukal had launched the training centre in 1949. Countless students have perfected the martial art ever since.
There is still a lot of fight left in her. Years of dedication, practice and passion has helped her defy age, bust many a stereotype and uphold the legacy of this age old martial art.
Having born in the land of Thacholi Othenan and Unniyarcha, the legendary warriors mentioned in the Vadakkan Pattukal (Northern ballads), how could she not emerge the maestro she is now!
