KALARIPAYATTU – The Original Martial Art of Kerala 
Thacholi Othenan, Aromal Chekavar and Unniarcha, the warriors of old who were extolled in the Vadakanpattukal (folk lore of northern Kerala) were the original exponents of this unique martial art. Kalaripayattu is Kerala’s own defensive martial art. Kalaripayattu which has intense defensive and offensive techniques helps to not only ward off the enemies strongest attacks but also helps in combating many diseases. .

Kalaripayattu with all its purity and elegance is practiced and propagated by P.K.B Kalari Sangam of Balan Gurukkal in Thozhiyoor, Kerala.

Kalari Vanakkam – the Kalari Obeisance 
It is the technique by which one displays reverence (Vanakkam) to God with his body and no words uttered, for the attainment of intense concentration of the oneness of the Sight, Hearing, Body and Mind.

Kaaluyarthi Payattu – Leg exercise  
To facilitate better blood circulation by stretching the nerves and to generate heat in the body it is important to practice this technique with the legs.

Kaikuthi Payattu – Hand exercise 
This technique gives one the strength and ability to face the enemy by swift moves like the cobra, using no weapon at all.

Mey Payattu – Body exercises  
The ability to turn and move the body up, down or around with amazing agility and to use any weapon against the opponent is mastered with this technique which also enables one to move away swiftly from the sharp edges of the enemies weapons.

Chumattadi 
It is the method which enables the body to face more than one enemy by strengthening the defensive powers of the body through daily practice of an air circulation technique.

Verumkai – Bare hand techniques 
This is the most important style in Kalaripayattu. With this method one gets the life saving skill to face an opponent with only his bare hands. An opponent may be unarmed or armed with any sort of weapon and this technique enables one to fend off and defeat the enemy with ones bare hands.

Ashttavadivu – the Eight fold fighting forms 
There are different forms of fighting in Kalaripayattu which are very integral to it. These forms had been integrated into this martial art after careful observation of the moves of animals and birds.  The fighting forms practiced in Kalaripayattu are Varaha(pig), Gaja(elephant), Margara(cat), Simham(lion), Sarpa(snake/cobra), Kukkudam(Cock), Mayura(Peacock), Haya(Horse).

Cheruvadi – Small stick 
The weapon used in this technique is a small wooden staff about 3 “channs(approx1.5ft)” in length hence also called Muchaann (meaning 3 channs). The handle is called the Amaram and the striking part is called the Muna. Unusual speed and striking methods are the specialties of this technique.

Kettukaari – Major Staff
A bamboo stick that’s as long as ones head to feet is used in this fighting technique. Kettukari is the systematic use of this stick in various defensive and offensive movements like thrashing, defending, forward & backward moves, swinging and kettal.

Kettukaari – Long stick 
A bamboo stick that’s as long as ones head to feet is used in this fighting technique. Kettukari is the systematic use of this stick in various defensive and offensive movements like thrashing, defending, forward & backward moves, swinging and blocking.

Katraam – The dagger
Kataaram  is a sort of a dagger that’s 9 inches long and made of iron. This weapon which is usually sheathed near the hip of the combatant is used to strike and defend a strike as well as make pointed attacks. This fighting technique also teaches one ducking from a sharp weapon and locking it as well.

Otta 
The otta is an 'S' shaped staff, with a knob at one end, made of the toughest portions of the tamarind tree. These sticks, which are about 2 feet long, are specially suitable for attacks on the nervous system The way of using the weapon “Otta” towards the 64 vital (Kula marma) points in the body. The pointed end of the weapon is used to strike and the part near to the handle (Thanda) used for the defense.
Ottapayattu can be called the essence of Northern Kalari. It is believed that one who masters this technique can defend the enemy’s attacks even in sleep.

Perumthallu 
The technique where one combatant uses a short stick and the other a long stick and does various offense and defense moves is called Perumthallu.

Vaalum Parichayum (Puliyangam) – The Sword & Shield 
The weapons that dominated the war front in the world till the dawn of the modern age were the sword and the shield. The shield made of iron is used to defend against the enemy’s offensive moves while in this instance the sword is used to strike down the opponent. Puliyangapayattu, a technique using the sword & shield, is one which generates a real war like feeling.

Udavaall 
This is a sort of a sword that was a constant companion of the kings and warriors of olden times. The weapon was used for offense and defense as well. Urumi 

Marapidicha Kunthapayattu – Spear fight 
The Kalari spear (Kuntham) is usually a knife fixed at the end of a long staff. Kundhapayattu or ‘Spear-fight’ is the technique of engaging an opponent who is armed with the sword and the shield.

Urumi 
Urumi is a weapon that has become very popular in the Folklore (called Vadakkan pattukal) of the Malabar region of Kerala. It’s a truly unique weapon that is less wide than the sword and is flexible like springs. This 6 feet long weapon is so flexible that it is usually wound around the hips of a warrior like armour for the lower torso. The double-edged Urumi is like a metal lash that can chop off anything and is used in a swinging motion while a shield is also held to defend the opponent’s blows