PROJECT SAMSKRITI

Project Samskriti: How Isha Samskriti Reaches Out to the World

Part 2: Behind the Scenes of the Kalaripayattu Module

In this five-part series, we bring to you inside stories of Project Samskriti through the eyes of Isha Samskriti students, alumni, and volunteers. Here, Isha Samskriti alumnus and Kalaripayattu teacher Lohkesh Jagadeesan takes us behind the scenes of the Kalaripayattu module, a particular challenging one to pull off online.

For the Love of an Ancient Martial Art

Athletic, sharp and swift, Lohkesh Jagadeesan’s fierce demeanor is easily noticeable the moment he enters the room. If you keep a tab on Isha’s events and activities, it would be hard to miss him on Isha’s Hatha Yoga and Kalaripayattu (Kalari) practice photos. An alumnus of Isha Samskriti, Lohkesh specializes in Kalari, the most ancient martial art, which was woven into Indian culture by Saptarishi Agastya himself.

From his early childhood, Lohkesh was drawn to all forms of martial arts. When his parents first suggested that he join Isha Samskriti, Lohkesh was not at all convinced. Since only those who are willing are admitted, he went to the interview determined to say no. Now he says with a knowing smile, “The ‘problem’ was that they took us for a three-hour trek, and I just fell for it. My parents couldn’t believe it.”

Soon, Lohkesh joined Isha Samskriti, and his life has never been the same. Always physically active and involved in all aspects of the school, Lohkesh thoroughly enjoyed learning music and dance. But when the time to specialize came, he found himself at the crossroads. “I felt I should choose Kalaripayattu and Yoga because I needed some kind of balance within me. People recommended other subjects to me, but this was fixed in my head,” he shares.

Lohkesh has been an Isha Hatha Yoga and Kalaripayattu teacher for the last four years now, with Kalaripayattu remaining his first love ever since he joined Isha Samskriti.

How Kalari Practice Impacts Every Aspect of Life

Since they learned four different styles of Kalari during their school years, Lohkesh and his batch mates have a holistic understanding of the art and are not fixed on one style. When asked about the effects of practicing Kalari, he says, “The endurance level of the body and the mind grows. Now I can push myself further each passing year. Of course, flexibility and strength improve, but one unique thing about Kalari is that though it’s a martial art and a fighting system, it doesn’t work only for that – it is something that affects every aspect of life. The clarity with which I can think through things and stressful situations has improved phenomenally.”

When Lohkesh received a late phone call one day telling him about Project Samskriti, the magnitude of which was daunting to say the least, this clarity of mind proved to be not only an advantage but a necessity.

Getting Started on an Incredibly Daunting Project

Unsurprisingly, in less than five days after Sadhguru publicly announced Project Samskriti, registration for all six programs were full. “We knew that if Sadhguru announces something, it will receive large-scale participation. We have received over 600 registrations from 51 countries,” shares Lohkesh.

Now that the online Kalaripayattu program is up and running smoothly, reaching participants around the globe, it’s hard to believe that it’s an absolute first. The Samskriti alumni developed from scratch the entire 12 hours training module, which brings this ancient practice right to people’s homes. Of the different Project Samskriti modules, the Kalaripayattu module is among the most elaborate and complex, and includes training, demonstrations, and other videos, correction sessions, interaction between trainers and participants, and live question and answer sessions.

The volume of preparation and the level of attention that went into every aspect of this project resulted in a series of challenges and learning experiences for those who sailed through it and made it come to life.

Navigating a Whole Range of Challenges

The idea of offering this art form as a packaged module for people to enjoy and benefit from was an entirely new concept that brought on many lively discussions. Kalaripayattu being an intricate martial art, the training comes with many requirements that had to be adapted to the situation, such as spatial constraints.

Knowing they had to match the standard of the other modules, by sheer determination and commitment, the Kalari team managed to build their module step by step. With their expertise and years of training behind them, the team created safety guidelines and crafted the practice to a regular home space size without compromising on fundamentals, quality, and benefits.

Deciding that the module should be interactive, they created a team of volunteers for correction support. One of the biggest challenges before the Kalari team was to record demonstration videos for the participants to watch and learn precise physical movements. The strenuous demo recording activity was followed by one more demanding task – to record the voice-over. The task fell to Lohkesh, who sat in the recording studio along with two other volunteers until the early morning hours to finish the project at hand.

What Participants Say About the Program

Deciding to stick to the basics of Kalari for the module, the team managed to build a balanced practice that benefits practitioners of all levels. Before the program was offered to the general public, trial programs for Isha volunteers were conducted, out of which 40 volunteers are available to support the participants. Their time and commitment help make this offering possible.

Sravanth Valluru, one of the trial participants, who has been practicing Yoga for the past 11 years, says he didn’t expect to find the Kalari practice challenging, and adds, “I didn’t feel that my body is in any way being hammered or is under stress, but definitely every muscle in my body was used. I have to use my body in a way I’m not generally using it, and it’s pushing my physical limits. I also noticed that the way I breathe changed.”

Sravanth observed that even though he is reasonably fit, the Kalari trainers’ bodies are on a totally different level. “Not in terms of muscles, but just the way their body is. If they give you something like these modules, which allow you to explore this level of physical fitness, definitely you should do it,” Sravanth adds.

Ashwini Saddi, another participant of the trial, recently stopped some of her more intense Yoga practices due to shoulder pain, but says that doing the Kalari practice was possible even for her. “When we watched them in the demo videos, some things looked like they couldn’t be done by normal people. Some postures will take practice, but some just happened. You didn’t even know your body could go that way, but when you tried, it did.” Now a Kalari fan, Ashwini says that she would like to learn more when other Kalaripayattu modules become available.

After five months of relentless preparation, the first Kalaripayattu program kick-started on 3 September. Now the module is offered regularly, in 9 sessions over 9 days. Lohkesh shares, “The most fulfilling part of the program is that the participants are really committed and focused. As there are participants from different time zones, there are many who log in between midnight and 4 a.m. local time, and fully give themselves to the practice.”

This Is Just the Beginning

A profound ancient martial art from India is creating a global impact, but this is just the beginning. The team is overjoyed to see their efforts and Sadhguru’s vision finding fruition. “It all started with the simple idea of ‘raising awareness of Kalaripayattu,’ and here we are with the privilege of working on something that could transform lives of people around the globe,” says Lohkesh.

Amazed by the enthusiasm and involvement of participants, the team is now working on creating practice modules as short as 10–15 minutes, which could be taught to people who are keen on getting a taste of the practices but have less time on their hands.

“When Project Samskriti started, we were asked to commit ourselves for a minimum of two years to it, but we know that it will be for much longer. I’d planned to bid adieu to Samskriti in November 2021, but now there is no backing down,” he concludes.