Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art [Paperback]

D.H. Luijendijk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005

Although most of India's martial arts have been lost, the southwestern state of Kerala maintains a rich martial tradition in the ancient art of Kalarippayat, a complete system that incorporates empty-handed fighting, weaponcraft and a sophisticated method of massage and healing. After 10 years of intensive study, D.H. Luijendijk is one of a handful of Westerners to reach the instructor level in this obscure art. In this book, he reveals the hidden treasures of this exotic art to you.

Product Details

• Paperback: 105 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581604807
• ISBN-13: 978-1581604801
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars India's Ancient & Contemporary Martial Art, June 15, 2008

By 

K. Frankel "dainin" (Boca Raton, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art (Paperback)

Kalarippayat is an ancient martial arts system which originated in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala, where it is still practiced today. It includes empty hand forms, and an impressive arsenal of weapons including staff, short stick, spear, hatchet, a brutal-looking heavy club called a gedda, and a variety of swords. Some of the swords have wave-like blades, similar to those used in Indonesian martial arts, and another, called an urumi, has a long, flexible whip-like blade.

The foundation of kalarippayat is rooted in the same conceptual approach to the body as Ayurvedic medicine. Many of these concepts are similar to those found in classical Chinese medicine, such as Shiva/Shakti (like Yin/Yang), the five elements, the Nadis (energetic meridians) and the Marmas (acupoints). There has been some conjecture about the possible influence of kalari on Chinese martial arts (for example, Bodhidharma coming from India), but many of the stances used appear to be quite different.

The art is practiced in three different regional variations, Northern, Central, and Southern, which differ in their approach to footwork and training emphasis. D.H. Luijendijk studied the three traditions over a ten year period and is qualified as an instructor in all of them. He provides a good explanation of the historical and political environments that led to the development of these differences. However, the focus of this book is on practice, and many forms and applications are illustrated with photographs. Therefore it makes a good companion volume to the excellent "When the Body Becomes All Eyes" by Zarrilli, which focuses on the history and sociology of the art, but not so much on the techniques.

In my opinion, this book could have been improved in two ways: I would like to have seen more conditioning techniques illustrated, and wish the author had shared more personal anecdotes about his training in India.

Sadly the author notes that kalari is being passed by in it's native land in favor of Chinese and Japanese martial arts. This is too bad, because it appears to be every bit as sophisticated and effective as the arts of those countries. There are numerous video clips of kalarippayat available on the Web, and many of the techniques are spectacular.