Ankalthari:Ankalthari is the art of handling blunt metal weapons and the shield.
Students first practise quick rotations alone which prevent the opponents from approaching them. 2nd step: fights which follow on with two people. The role of the shield here is to counter attacks.
Hand-to-hand fighting techniques and movements –the suvasus (Verum Kai)- are exactly reproduced in the use of each weapon of the Kalari. Hand-arm postures are copied on the fighting styles borrowed from the animals by the first masters, and the learner goes from one discipline to the other without being disoriented.
The first metal weapons of Kalaripayat appeared with the bronze and the iron ages: knives, spikes, short and long swords,which can be straight or double-edged.
The teaching of metal cutting edge weapons is inseparable from that of the shield. For instance, the puliyankam –the leopard style- for the attacker involves hiding behind his shield and being ready to leap quickly.
Military science distinguishes three types of weapons:- Muktham, an arrow-type projectile weapon
- Amuktham, a sword-type weapon which is kept in hands during a fight
- Mukthaamuktham, a nuntchaku-type weapon which is projected and kept in the hands at the same time
Only the second category is still being developed in Kalaripayat nowadays.
Kattara or curikakattara or marakattara:
18 sessions are necessary to train with the dagger, kattara, the first metal weapon to be studied.
Kattara consists of two samba horns (deer of Kerala) attached together and letting space for a hold in the middle. It is used in the same way as the otta: it is used to neutralise the attacker by pricking his nerves, which can trigger palsy or death.
Vall, the sword:The sword, fetish weapon of the nayars (caste of Kerala warriors) during the Middle Ages, is still a queen weapon today.
When Brahma was accomplishing yagagni, a ritual with fire, a spirit was said to be born from smokes and it transformed itself into a sword. Brahma handed this sword over to Shiva, who himself gave it to Vishnu. Vishnu gave it to Mareeci who gave it to Indra who himself gave it to Manu, the first man. That's how the sword called vall came down from the sky to stay on Earth.
After the obligatory mukakettu, the quality of the sword is checked with a flick done with the nail, or by hitting the blade with a stone. The art of the sword includes 12 sequences. The first five ones are fundamental. The 2 styles which are the most often taught are pulliyankan, tiger fight and simhatancam, the lion approach.
Urumi:
The urumi is a flexible double-edge blade which stretches from the ground to a point just below the fighter's chin. In order to combat with a sword, arm strength is necessary. With the urumi, the ankarutha is indispensable. The training consists of 6 sequences.
The urumi which curls up around the waist can be kept as a streamer in one hand and then suddenly unrolls, whipping the opponent with lethal lashes.
Urumi fights are often made in a bent position. As the learner is close to the ground, vital spots located on the front of the body are therefore better protected. This –column straight, knees bent- position develops hips and thighs, but also activates the energy centre at belly button level.
The opponent may be led up to change his role during the movement sequence.
When he defends himself, he blocks and dodges his opponent's blows or counter-attacks.
When he attacks, he hits with his feet, his fists, his elbows, his knees or his hands.
The Urimi coming from the South may be equipped with a revolving handle and include up to 3 blades.
Kundam:
It is a 100% metal spear fitted with a pointing blade. Its training also includes 6 sequences.