Lexicon of Indian terms
(the "c" is pronounced "tch")
Amuktham: A sword-type weapon which is kept in hands during a fight
Anka kalari or nedum kalari: Kalari pointed North-South
Ankalthari: Art of handling blunt metal weapons and the shield
Ankarutha: Accuracy of the punch.
Arrapukki, arrapukayan or tullu : A very well-preserved self-defense system thanks to the use of martial art techniques. It divides itself into two sub-styles, Kaluarthi and Kaikuthi.
Asata Vadivu, Vadivukal ou Verum Kai : the eight original techniques of hand-to-hand defence and attack, based on the postures of eight animals. It is the most ancient Kalaripayat style that is still well-known and from which today’s other styles result such as vatten thiraptu, arrapukki, pillathangi, dronanbalny, otamurassery, wallavhatta and meipayattu.
Astadhikpalaganmar or kalaripalaganmar : Kalari keepers
Asvavadivu : Horse posture
Ayudakarutha : Deep knowledge of weapons
Brahma : The God who created Hinduism
Catangal : Jump
Catturpadanista : The qualities that the student needs to acquire until full mastery
Cenni : The temples
Coodakkal kriyakal : Warming-up exercises
Cuvadukal : Basic positions
C.V. Narayanan Kalari : Style coming from the teaching of Gurukkal C.V. Narayan Nayar
Dhanurveda et Sukranithi: Treaty on martial sciences
Dhyâna: Meditation in India –Dhyâna- means “to grasp, to comprehend the sky”. It is
the doctrine and the teaching of big vacuity,
Erukal : Projection
Gajavadivu : Elephant posture
Ganesh : The God who clears obstacles
Garudakaranam : Eagle jump
Gurrukal or Ashan : also called master or Sempaï in other martial arts. The kalaripayat gurrukal knows how to heal the wounds he can inflict
Kaikuttippayattu : Style which requires getting a great deal of supports from the hands which have to rest firmly on the floor.
Kal : feet, legs
Kali : Goddess of Kalari
Kalari : Temple dedicated to Kali, the goddess of war
Kalari abhyasam: Practise leading to performance
Kalaricikilsa : A therapy coming from Ayurveda and specific to Kalaripayat.
Kalaripayat, kalaripayatt, kalaripayit, kalaripayattu ou kalaripayatum : School-fight
Kalaripayat kshatryas : South Hindu warriors
Kalari vandanam : Technique showing how to link the Kalari greeting
Kaluarthi ou kalluyartippayattu : Style in which the fighter often needs to throw his legs at his opponent’s body with great accuracy and confidence
Kalukal : Work on legs
Kannimula : South-west corner of the kalari
Kathakali : A type of classical dance, of danced theatre originating from Kerala. It is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and rituals.
Kattara, curikakattara, ou marakattara : Dagger which consists of two samba horns (deer of Kerala) attached together and letting space for a hold in the middle.
Kattiyum talayum : parry which consists in countering an attack with a knife by using a piece of cloth
Keezhtadi : Under the chin
Kerala :State of the South of India, cradle of Kalaripayat
Kolthari : Art of fighting with a stick
Koomb : Heart of Kalari
Kukudavadivu : Rooster posture
Kundam : Spear
Kundu poi kodukarudhe, cennu vangarudhe, vannal vidarudhe : “Don’t look for fight, but when you are faced with it, be able to dodge without giving in under punches and then face the opponent”.
Kurum kalari : Small room designed for the practise of one person.
Kuzhi kalari : East-west oriented ancient kalaris located in the basement and kept for members of the high castes
Madhya Keralam : Recent style originating from the centre of Kerala
Malayali : Inhabitant of Kerala
Malsyavadivu : Fish posture
Maslyakaranam : Fish jump
Manakarutha : Mental power, spiritual force
Marjarakaranam : Cat jump
Marmam : Vital spots. Kalari counts 108 marmam. Hitting any of these spots can generate acute pain or palsy and even death.
Marma prayogangal : Offensive use of vital spots
Marmas sutras : Sacred songs
Mattangal : Dodging
Mayuravadivu : Peacock posture
Meikarutha : Suppleness, balance, power and quickness
Meipayattu, meïthari, ou mei adakkan : (body-fight) Equivalent of tao in kung-fu. The movements follow on from each other very quickly. The 12 meïpayattu lessons are a succession of jumps, extensions, limbering up, work on equilibrium and animal-like postures. It is the basis of kalaripayat.
Mucan ou ceruvadi : Short stick
Mukakettu : Short prayer
Muktham :Arrow-type projectile weapon
Mukthaamuktham : A nuntchaku-type weapon which is projected and kept in the hands at the same time
Nayars : Caste of Kerala warriors
Otta ou muppiri : Short and curved stick
Ottaripongal : Splits jump
Pandicuran ou kettukari : Long flexible stick
Parasurama : Rama-with-the-axe, the 6th human avatar of Vishnu
Pasukaranam : Cow jump
Pidikal : Grip
Puthara : altar that is integrated into the wall
Prana :Life energy
Pratista kalari : Kalari dedicated to gods
Puja : Prayer, ceremony
Puliyankam : Leopard and tiger style
Puttakal : Lock ( arms, legs, ...)
Saptadhadukal : the seven constitutive elements of the body (or corporeal existence) –chyle, blood, air, bones, spinal cord, seminal liquid, grease.
Sarpakaranam : Snake jump
Sarpavadivu : Snake posture
Shakti :Divine mother, source of all power, spouse of Indra
Shiva : The first teacher of all martial arts in India
Simhakaranam : Lion jump
Simhatancam : Lion style
Simhavadivu : Lion posture
Subramanya : Shiva’s son
Tadakal : Parries, blocks
Tala : Top of the skull
Teerignucatam : Fish jump above water
Tharakal : Altar
Thara kalari : Ancient kalari reserved for lower castes ( not located underground and without walls)
Thekkan : Southern Style
Urumi : Flexible double-edge blade
Vadakkan : Northern style
Vaddakan Pattukal : malayali traditional songs
Vall : Sword
Vallapatta Kalari : One of the schools of the South of India
Varahavadivu : Wild boar posture
Vari : The sides
Verum Kai : -empty hands – Hand-to-hand combat
Vettukal : Hits made with the edge of the hand
Vishnu : The supreme divinity ensuring cosmic order.
Yagagni : Ritual with fire