Sadhguru: Kalaripayattu, in many ways, is the genesis of all martial arts on the planet. Kalari was taught by Agastya Muni to his disciples to defend themselves against wild animals bare-handed. At that time, the land right across the Indian subcontinent was heavily forested. It was a land of tigers, elephants, king cobras, bears and panthers. These animals are immensely strong and capable in terms of physical movement. But Agastya Muni trained his disciples in such a way that even a tiger, a panther or an elephant could not get them because they moved so quickly and in such impossible ways.

Today, many other forms of martial arts have become more famous in the world because they went in the right direction – to Hollywood. Everyone knows about Kung Fu, but unfortunately, a lot of people even in India might not have heard of Kalari. But Kung Fu itself comes from Kalari.

Around fifteen centuries ago, there was a Pallava prince, who became a monk as per his Guru’s wishes. He came to be known as Bodhidharma. Later, his Guru told him, "Go north and spread what you learned." So, he went north – north enough to go into China. 

Before he even reached China, the news spread that someone deeply immersed in spirituality was coming this way. People there tried to persuade him to stay in many places but he did not stop or stay long in any one place. Finally, he went near a Shaolin Temple. He did not go into the temple but sat in a cave close by.
A general named Shen had heard that Bodhidharma was a master of Kalari. He wanted to become his disciple. When Bodhidharma went and settled in the cave, General Shen followed, wanting to become his disciple. He waited for nine years but Bodhidharma did not say a word. 

Then, Bodhidharma came out and entered the Shaolin Temple. General Shen followed, begging him, "Please take me as your disciple." Bodhidharma replied, "That will only happen when the snow turns red." In a fit of courage and sacrifice, General Shen lopped off his own left arm and swung it around. All the snow around was covered in his blood and froze in the snow. Bodhidharma looked at this, and he could not push him away anymore. He took him as his disciple. The one-armed General Shen trained in Kalari and became a master in his own way. From there comes the now-famous one-handed Namaste.

There is a hoary history for Kalari and a similar tradition and history for classical music and classical dance. There are innumerable sages and saints who involved themselves in these art forms to bring immense profoundness, where the line between the spiritual process and the art forms wore thin to a point where people could not differentiate between them.

What we are offering as Project Samskriti is a possibility for everyone, wherever you are – thanks to today's technology – to invest yourself in learning these classical arts.

Editor's Note: Project Samskriti offers Kalaripayattu workshops both online and in-person. For details visit: link

This ancient martial art is also featured in several of our productions. Watch glimpses here: link