<p>‘Kalaripayattu’, a martial art form of Kerala, performed by the skilled artistes during the Craft Mela at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavana Kodagu Vidyalaya in Madikeri on Saturday, mesmerized the audience.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kalaripayattu is an art form which is learnt by students under ‘Gurukula’ system.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The martial art’s speciality is that it includes the usage of weapons. Two people with swords fight each other without wearing any armour.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The art form was performed by the students of Vallabhat centre of Chalkad village near Guruvayur in Kerala.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Defence tactics are the highlighting feature of Kalaripayattu. Even when a rival is unarmed, he is trained to defend himself with bare hands. All these tricks were performed during the programme.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The defence mechanism of Kalaripayattu also teaches the use of various weapons such as a sickle, knife and also sticks.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, Kalaripayattu is not used to attack someone. It is used as a defence technique. Especially, women can protect themselves in troublesome situations if they get acquainted with the art form, said Vallabhat centre head Krishna Das. For some, Kalaripayattu is also a way of life, he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Krishna Das said that the practice of Kalaripayattu helps to maintain good health. The martial art of Kerala has now become popular across the country.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The cool weather of Kodagu is well suited for the practice of Kalaripayattu, he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A total of 12 students of the centre performed Kalaripayattu on the occasion.</p>
<p>‘Kalaripayattu’, a martial art form of Kerala, performed by the skilled artistes during the Craft Mela at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavana Kodagu Vidyalaya in Madikeri on Saturday, mesmerized the audience.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kalaripayattu is an art form which is learnt by students under ‘Gurukula’ system.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The martial art’s speciality is that it includes the usage of weapons. Two people with swords fight each other without wearing any armour.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The art form was performed by the students of Vallabhat centre of Chalkad village near Guruvayur in Kerala.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Defence tactics are the highlighting feature of Kalaripayattu. Even when a rival is unarmed, he is trained to defend himself with bare hands. All these tricks were performed during the programme.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The defence mechanism of Kalaripayattu also teaches the use of various weapons such as a sickle, knife and also sticks.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, Kalaripayattu is not used to attack someone. It is used as a defence technique. Especially, women can protect themselves in troublesome situations if they get acquainted with the art form, said Vallabhat centre head Krishna Das. For some, Kalaripayattu is also a way of life, he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Krishna Das said that the practice of Kalaripayattu helps to maintain good health. The martial art of Kerala has now become popular across the country.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The cool weather of Kodagu is well suited for the practice of Kalaripayattu, he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A total of 12 students of the centre performed Kalaripayattu on the occasion.</p>