tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53777940479855214542024-03-25T21:03:47.349+05:30BEJOY .P. MUKKATHUKalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-82473551901228909502024-03-25T21:02:00.003+05:302024-03-25T21:02:20.045+05:30 School of Martial Arts<p>In Kerala, Marma therapy joins the streams of Siddha & Kalari. Marma Chikitsa brings equilibrium between tridosha vatta, pitta and kapha. These three elements form the essence of life.</p><p dir="ltr">Marma Chikitsa is basically a neuromuscular and orthopaedic science. Oil therapy or Snehana is an important part of Marma chikitsa. Warm, medicated oils are applied in large amount all over the body, the medicated oils are used on specific body sites such as on Chakras and Marma points or at specific affected spots . The body is then massaged using these oils.</p><p dir="ltr">Marma treatment encompasses healing, massage and physical flexibity and is available in Kerala only. One can learn this art in two to three years. Though this ancient art is gradually finding its way back into the mainstream of life, it has retained its exclusivity through a strong guru-disciple tradition. However, post independence, Government of India constituted Udupa committee for the development of Ayurveda and that committee gave its recommendation for the popularisation of this therapy amongst all Ayurveda physicians in the country.</p>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-66419124876814650132024-03-25T21:00:00.005+05:302024-03-25T21:01:07.595+05:30 Marma Massage Today<p>In summary, stimulating or massaging Marma points give benefits to the area of their location and improves the function of the connecting organs. The Marma massage is approximately of 60 to 90 minutes of duration, followed by steam bath or warm shower. Given above is only a brief outline of Marma massage . Ideally, Marma massage should be performed by experienced therapists, in consultation of a qualified ayurvedic physician. The Marma massage can be used as a part of a rejuvenation therapy or it could be used as preventive measure from unwanted conditions. Either way, Marma massage is really useful to help improve or maintain a healthy balance.</p><p dir="ltr">Thus healing through Marma abhayangam affects the chakras, Physical health and doshas. The purpose of Marma Abhayangam is to stimulate the various body organs and systems.</p><p dir="ltr">Marma therapy focuses on energizing the body to relieve occupational illness and stress related diseases. Often, it helps the couples to re-establish harmony in marital life. Here, Kalari master is the spiritual Guru, Counsellor and physiotherapist all rolled into one. Marma Chikitsa (therapeutic treatment ) is an offshoot of Kalaripayattu; Kerala's martial art.</p>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-83401057104140443242024-03-25T20:59:00.001+05:302024-03-25T20:59:51.248+05:30 ROLE OF MARMA<p><br /></p><p dir="ltr">There are four basic purposes of Marma:</p><p dir="ltr">It remove blocks in energy channels called shrotas.<br />It pacifies vata dosha, (air and space elements ), bringing it to its normal path— especially vyana vata, (a sub-dosha which controls the autonomic nervous system.)<br />It creates physical, mental and emotional flexibility. Because of ama (toxins) and because of vata, human beings after 35 or 40 years of age become rigid — and this happens to animals and plants as well. As vata increases in body, it leads to degeneration. This rigidity means becoming fixed in ideas, emotions and physical movements.<br />This gentle treatment creates an opportunity to experience powerful and dynamic transformation at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level by building a positive link with the unconscious mind. Many a times, people are not able to go outside their ‘comfort zone’. They think they have absolute limitations. After Marma is done, they can start taking positive risks.<br />Therapeutic value of Marma</p><p dir="ltr">Marma is beneficial for many conditions, including the following:</p><p dir="ltr">Muscular and joint pain<br />Frozen joints<br />Muscular strain<br />Respiratory conditions<br />Digestion and elimination problems<br />Nervous system disorders<br />Headaches and migraines<br />General aging problems<br />Glandular tissues<br />Anxiety and depression<br />Stress response, fears and phobias<br />Confusion, memory loss and mental focus<br />Low energy and fatigue<br />Breaking through limited belief systems<br />Diseases Curable & Manageable By Marma Chikitsa</p><p dir="ltr">To name a few diseases in which Marma chikitsa is highly appreciated in giving cure are : </p><p dir="ltr">Paralysis<br />Sciatic pain<br />Migraine<br />Tremors<br />Diabetic neuropathy<br />Muscular twitching & cramps<br />Trigeminal Neuralgia<br />Facial or Bell's palsy<br />Urinary incontinence<br />Lumbar Spondilitis<br />Lumbar Spondilolisthesis (Disc bulge or prolapse)<br />Cervical Spondilitis<br />Cervical Spondilolisthesis (Disc bulge or prolapse)<br />Frozen shoulder (periarthritis)<br />Carpal tunnel syndrome<br />Muscular and joint pain<br />Frozen joints<br />Muscular strain<br />Respiratory conditions<br />Digestion and elimination problems<br />Marma Chikitsa is an important aspect of Ayurvedic treatment where the application of pressure on these Marma points induces the flow of vital energy (prana) along a complex system of subtle channels called (nadis). Based on the knowledge enumerated in Dhanurveda ( dealing with knowledge of bow and arrow fights), 107 therapeutic Marma points are recognised by Ayurveda. The injury to some of these lethal Marma points can lead to instant death. Massage is widely applied in the treatment of Marmas.</p><p dir="ltr"><br /></p>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-37093833258366767002024-03-25T20:58:00.001+05:302024-03-25T20:58:21.975+05:30Five Basic Catagories of Marma Points<p></p><p dir="ltr">Mamsa Marma(Muscles) 11 Points<br />Asthi Marma (Bones) 8Points<br />Snayu Marma (Tendons &ligamants)27Points<br />Sandhi Marma(Joints)20Points<br />Shira Marma(Nerves,Veins&Arteries)41Points<br />Tradditional Marma Recognises three categories</p><p></p><p dir="ltr">Shakha Marma(Legs&Feet)<br />Madhyamanga Marma(Trunk)<br />Jatrudhara Marma(Neck&Head)</p><p dir="ltr"> <br /><br /></p>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-43311371074281707012024-03-25T20:51:00.004+05:302024-03-25T20:51:58.835+05:30 Classification of Marma<p>SADYAH PRANAHARA MARMA : When a Marma point is injured, due to the spontaneous loss of Prana vayu , death is certain. </p><p>KALANTARA PRANAHARA MARMA : These Marmas result in kalanthara (gradual) loss of life ( pranahara), after lapse of some time.</p><p>VISHALYAGHNA : The word shalya refers to a foreign body. When a foreign body pierces these varieties of Marma, the injured person survives as long as the foreign body remains at the place of injury. But on removal, it results in death of the individual.</p><p>VAIKALYAKARA : These varieties of Marma when subjected to injury, cause deformity of those organs which are dependent on that particular Marma for their energy distribution. The word Vikalya or Vaikalya means deformity.</p><p>RUJAKARA MARMA : These Marmas neither result in deformity nor cause death, but results in excruciating pain (ruja), when injured.</p><p>A Gist of Certain Individual Marmas used in treating diseases</p><p><br /></p><p>KSHIPRA MARMA: It is pronounced as ‘Xipra’.It is totals four in number (two in the hands & two in the legs). In hands, it can be easily felt between index finger and thumb , whereas in foot, it lies between the big and the second toe. The width of this Marma is said to be one centimeter, by Acharya Sushrutha. On analysis, the structures present beneath this Kshipra Marma are supposed to be, a branch of Radial nerve in the hand.</p><p>MANIBANDHA MARMA: Are two in number, one for each upper limb. It falls under the category of Sandhi (Joint) Marma. It can be easily located on the ventral aspect of the wrist joint. Beneath this two to three centimeter width of Manibandha Marma, lies the Inter-carpal ligaments and nerves.</p><p>KATIKATHARUNA MARMA: Being an Asthi (Bone) Marma, of width of one centimeter, the Katikatharuna lies on either side of the spine in the waist region adjacent to the sacro-iliac joint. The structures beneath it are analysed to be iliac bone, iliac artery & ligaments of the sacro-Iliac joint.</p>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-32517536998504765432024-03-25T20:50:00.001+05:302024-03-25T20:50:26.077+05:30History of Marma Massage<p>Marma-point massage dates back to southern India year 1500 BC. Masters of kalari, an ancient martial art, first discovered the power of Marma points. In battle, kalari fighters targeted an opponent's Marma point as a way to inflict pain and injury. According to kalari lore, people have 12 Marma points that, when hit with a knockout blow, can cause instant death. These areas were so important that soldiers even used armour to protect their horses' Marma points while riding into battle.</p><p><br /></p><p>Wounded kalari fighters were nursed back to health with Marma therapy. Practitioners used Marma-point massage to stimulate healing in areas that corresponded to the injuries. For blow to intestines, for example, the Marma point on the back of calf, which correspond with the transverse part of large intestine, is massaged to trigger flow of energy to induce healing. Ayurvedic physicians, all over India learnt the importance of this art and hired kalari masters in hospitals to teach . Soon, Marma-point training became mandatory for surgeons, who worked around specific points to prevent risk to life. Today marma-point massage is still a respected component of Ayurvedic healing.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-13463323983507720342024-03-25T20:48:00.001+05:302024-03-25T20:48:30.698+05:30Kalari Marma Treatment<p> *Marma Therapy* ,</p><p>By.</p><p> Bejoy P Mukkathu </p><p><br /></p><p>Marma are the vital areas of the body. The word Marma comes from Sanskrit origin word ‘mri’ meaning death. The Sanskrit phrase, ‘Marayate Iti Marmani’, also means death or serious damage to body or health after infliction to the point of their situation . Hence these areas are called Marma. In siddha system of medicine they are called Varma.</p><p><br /></p><p>Marma in Sanskrit means hidden or secret. By definition, a Marma point is a junction on body where two or more types of tissue meet, such as muscles, veins, ligaments, bones or joints.</p><p><br /></p><p>During ancient times, knowledge of Marma was known to kings and warriors. It was applied in battle fields to hit and achieve maximum lethal effect on enemies. This science was used both in warfare and surgery. From common ailments to serious neuromuscular diseases, all can be treated by Marma therapy.</p><p><br /></p><p>Common ailments like headache, bodyache, faulty spinal alignment, pain in the joints can be rejuvenated through Marma Chikitsa, which involves Swedana, Abhayanga, Pizhichil, and Kizhi (bolus) treatment. Kizhi treatment is a therapy wherein herbs are slightly fried, wrapped in muslin cloth and tied to make a bolus, heated in medicinal oils in a frying pan and placed on the area to be treated. This is followed by specific massage using fingers, heel or palm. The pressure application varies according to the nature of ailment and the point of application.</p><p><br /></p><p>Sushruta Samhita describes 107 Marma points in body. In Tamil traditions, 108 Marma points are enumarated, and in Kalari tradition of kerala 365 Marma points are in practice. Major marma points correspond to seven Chakras, or energy centers of the body, while minor points radiate out along the trunk and limbs. The points cover both the front and back of the body, including 22 on the lower extremities, 22 on the arms, 12 on the chest and stomach, 14 on the back, and 37 on the head and neck. (The mind is considered the 108th Marma.) Each has its own name based on their anatomical position.</p><p><br /></p><p>The human body, needs shodhana(revitalisation) in order to perform its function normally and efficiently. In Ayurvedic system, especially in kerala, Marma massage is performed as a routine in preventive medicine. A professional therapist isolates Marma points and tone them by increasing blood flow to affected part of the neuro-muscular junction. They also aim to tone the surrounding muscles.</p>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-57768401910565889622012-11-13T23:54:00.001+05:302013-02-25T17:04:42.526+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kalaripayattu is a <a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-martial-arts.htm" style="color: #24364f; margin: 0px; outline: none;">martial art</a> native to the state of Kerala in Southern India. It is believed to be one of the oldest Asian martial arts, and may in fact be the basis for many martial arts practices in Asia. Records of people practicing kalaripayattu date back to at least 1,000 BCE, illustrating how venerable this martial art is, and how remarkable it is that people continue to practice kalaripayattu today. Resemblances to kalaripayattu can also be seen in many traditional Asian martial arts disciplines, suggesting that they have a common root.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The term “kalaripayattu” translates as “practice in the arts of the battlefield.” Practitioners work in a structure known as a kalari which provides a great deal of space for instruction and practice, along with room for bouts in which two students work with each other in a mock duel. In addition to being a noted method of combat, kalaripayattu is also an art in itself, and it has heavily influenced the dance and performance traditions of Kerala. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> By. www.wisegeek.com/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kalaripayattu is believed to have originated with the land itself. The history of Kalari dates back to the Vedic era. <span class="grncol" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dhanurveda, upaveda of Yajurveda</span>, mentions about the practices used for warfare. Agnipurana has extracts from Dhanurveda which clearly depicts the weapons used and the training which was given during the Vedic period.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">During the Sangom Age (BC200-AD600) is the time when many famous Tamil literary works were compiled. Many of these sets of poems like Puranaru and Akanaru mentions about Verakalu, the stone laid down for the valiant hero, and also of the martially inclined practices that were rampant among the people during that period. The Kalaripayattu has been used repeatedly in these anthologies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">According to one school of thought, the proponent of Kalaripayattu is <span class="grncol" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sage Agasthya</span> and he passed down the knowledge to 18 disciples or sidhas. Eminent among them were sages like Kumbhamuni, Pulasthian, and Bogar from whom it was passed on to the next generation of sages like Parashurama and hence on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another belief popular in the Malabar area speaks about Lord Shiva as the one who developed the art during his wrath over dakshayaga, and he taught this to Parashurama, his disciple, who later passed it on to 21 Brahmins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With time, there developed <span class="grncol" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">shalas</span> (centers of learning and healing) where the practitioners perfected martial techniques and used their healing skills in service to the community. When need arose they were called upon to protect king and country. These shalas came to be known as kalaris. The practitioners were mainly Nairs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Portuguese traveler Durate Barbosa mentioned the practice of Kalaripayattu in his travel log in the 12th century A.D. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kalaripayattu, the divine art form of Kerala, is believed to be the oldest martial art in the world today and the progenitor of all existing martial arts, hence reverentially called,<b><span style="color: red;"> "<span class="grncol" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mother of all Martial Art</span>"</span></b>. Da Mo Sardili, (also popularly known in Chinese scriptures as Bodhidharma) a Buddhist monk from South India, is credited with having introduced Kalaripayattu into China in the early part of 6th century A.D. His theories and practices molded on the tenets of Kalaripayattu form the basis of martial art Shao Lin Kung-Fu which in turn sired other forms like Karate.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">By. www.healthyholidayskerala.com</span><br />
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Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-86347446796978240032012-06-06T12:45:00.001+05:302012-06-06T12:45:19.261+05:30kalarippayattu.webm By. Bejoy p Mukkathu<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UEJotv56BxE?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-73313300262051966712012-06-06T12:40:00.001+05:302012-06-06T12:40:04.391+05:30Urumi sword stunts (Shastra Vidya) By. Bejoy p Mukkathu<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fQ-Y-4jTefw?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-3228367270473253922011-09-15T11:50:00.000+05:302011-09-15T11:51:33.588+05:30<strong>തെളിഞ്ഞൊരു മാനവും സുന്ദരമായ പ്രഭാതവൂം ശാന്തമായ അന്തരീക്ഷവും സമാധാനപൂര്ണ്ണമായൊരു ദിവസവും നേരുന്നു....എല്ലാ ഐശ്വര്യവും നിറഞ്ഞൊരു ദിവസം ആയിരിക്കട്ടെ.......ദയവായി പ്രാര്ത്ഥനയില് ഓര്ക്കുക ? !!!!!!!! </strong>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-63588980052260738102011-09-14T16:20:00.010+05:302012-07-19T13:34:36.918+05:30Kalaripayattu , Martial Art of Kerala<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span class="" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="vertical-align: top;" title="Kalari Payyattu - the mother of martial arts (1)"><b style="text-align: justify;">Kalaripayattu</b> - the mother of martial arts</span></span></h1>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejAXKZrTzK0/TnCIPiraYyI/AAAAAAAAAN0/7f7f2v9koL4/s1600/Kalari2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652167332938277666" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejAXKZrTzK0/TnCIPiraYyI/AAAAAAAAAN0/7f7f2v9koL4/s320/Kalari2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 225px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a>Kalaripayattu is an ancient form of martial art training and discipline of <b><a class="clsCrossLink" href="http://www.indianetzone.com/2/kerala.htm" title="Kerala">Kerala</a></b>. It is regarded as the only form of the most ancient traditional systems of physical, culture, self-defence and martial art technique still existing in India. It is the forerunner of all martial arts and it is still practiced and taught in Kerala. Kalaripayattu has its root back to the 12th century AD when the conflicts between the feudal principalities in the region were very common.<br />
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The term Kalaripayattu means `combat training inside the gymnasium`. The word `kalarihas` is derived from the Sanskrit word `kholoorika`, which means `a military training ground`. The art is taught in a special ground called a `kalari`. The charge of the Kalari is taken by the `Nayakanmar`. The Nayakanmar then becomes `Nayar` in some regions, like `Kurup`, `Nambiar`, `Panikar` etc. The Nayar, who has the charge of a particular Kalari or group of Kalaris are called `Gurukkal`. The Kalari is partly a gymnasium, partly school and partly regarded as a temple. It is constructed by following the traditional ethics.<br />
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<b>History of Kalaripayattu </b><br />
The effort made by Kerala to mobilise itself against the Chola threat transformed the entire country into a military training camp. It had been often suggested that is was possibly during this time that the Kalari system evolved.<br />
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<b>Training in Kalar</b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ax3QYD5BbAs/TnCIyiOSxJI/AAAAAAAAAN8/sVB4ibHD-lY/s1600/Kalari3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652167934111564946" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ax3QYD5BbAs/TnCIyiOSxJI/AAAAAAAAAN8/sVB4ibHD-lY/s200/Kalari3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 157px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a><b>ipayattu</b><br />
The kalari is designed in rectangular shape and is aligned in east west and Hindu deities are placed in each corner. The Kalaris are established in almost all the homes of the Nairs to teach the methods of welfare. The training of Kalaripayattu starts at a very young age. Both the boys and girls come to learn the art. The learning of the art of Kalaripayattu involves the ritual stretching and flexing exercises. It is supposed to help in achieving concentration and balance. To increase the agility of limbs, a full body massage is also done. Various new weapons are introduced as the trainee or the student develops to learn the new techniques. These weapons include the sword and shield of the medieval warrior.<br />
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During the training period of Kalaripayattu art, if a trainee gets injured then treatment is done based on the Ayurvedic principles. Thus, with the development of this art, a traditional system of medical treatment for bone and soft tissue injuries also evolved. At the time of the learning period, the trainees are offered regular physical exercises and trained with weapons like spear, dagger, sword and shield etc. The most brilliant students are taught the marmas like the vulnerable points in the human system. In some parts of <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFxDkBcCuoM/TnCXiRrbheI/AAAAAAAAAOE/k4jbfRHUDuQ/s1600/Kalari5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652184147466880482" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFxDkBcCuoM/TnCXiRrbheI/AAAAAAAAAOE/k4jbfRHUDuQ/s200/Kalari5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 227px;" /></a><b><a class="clsCrossLink" href="http://www.indianetzone.com/6/thiruvananthapuram.%20htm.htm" title="Thiruvananthapuram">Thiruvananthapuram</a></b> and <b><a class="clsCrossLink" href="http://www.indianetzone.com/3/kozhikode.htm" title="Kozhikode">Kozhikode</a></b>, the art of Kalarippayattu can be seen and learnt. The training of Kalaripayattu is targeted to the ultimate coordination of mind and body.<br />
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<b>Types of Kalaris</b><br />
The Kalaris were of two types initially. The smaller one was known as `CheruKalari` (cheru means small) or Kuzhi Kalari (kuzhi means the portions formed by caving in the earth). The second type was `Anka Kalari.` The Kuzhi Kalari type is named so because the floor of this particular Kalari was built at a lower level than the surrounding land by taking out soil to attain the necessary depth. This type of Kalari was built to provide physical and weapon training. The systematic and scientific ways of exercise in Kalarippayattu was first imparted in the Kuzhi Kalari type of Kalari.<br />
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The purpose of building the `Anka Kalari` was to fight duels to decide any quarrel between the local rulers or for a cause of revenge or for some other reason. For this type, the Kalaris were made in a place, which can accommodate all the people of local region so that they can watch the duel properly.<br />
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Another type of platform named, `Ankathattu` was also used for fighting duels and it belongs to the same class as `AnkaKalari`. The platforms were constructed four to six feet above the ground level for which famous carpenters were engaged. The platforms were built before the date fixed for the duel. To start with this, first elaborate rituals are performed and then the `Ankathattu` would be handed over to the fighters.<br />
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Thus, to practice Kalaripayattu one has to develop acrobatic capabilities, when using swords or knives to attack their adversaries and even an unarmed exponent.<br />
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(article courcesy: www.indianetzone.com)<br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 27px;">martial arts of India</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The ethnic Indian martial art of Kalari Payat (Kalaripayattu) - meaning 'Battleground' or 'Gymnasium' - (Kalari), 'Method' or 'Art' - (Payatt), has a special significance for practitioners of the Tibetan and Chinese martial arts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">In tradition, the Shaolin Temple martial art of China was introduced by the Indian Buddhist Patriarch and founder of Ch'an' (Zen) Buddhism; Bodhidharma (450-523 AD). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Bodhidharma known in Chinese as 'Dat-Mo' was the 28th Patriarch in the dhyana (Sanskrit for meditation and hence Ch'an and Zen) Buddhist tradition of India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">He had been invited to China by the Emperor Wu, an ardent Buddhist. Bodhidharma later retired to the Shaolin Temple, and according to legend instructed the Monks there in a series of exercises that went on to form the basis of Shaolin Temple 'boxing'. Variously, these exercises are recorded as martial arts techniques and forms from India, or, simply calisthenics, as identified in the 'I Chin Ching' or "Muscle Changing Classic". Extant wall paintings and murals at the Honan Shaolin Temple in North East China show etnic Indian Monks sparring and training in boxing skills with Chinese Monks, supporting the view that Bodhidharma's exercises were in fact martial arts - the martial arts of his homeland - India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">There are no records that chronicle the historical origins of Kalari Payat, only narrative accounts formatted as myth and legend. Most of these credit Kalari's origins to Lord Shiva, one of the three principle Gods of the Hindu pathenon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Shiva has many aspects, he is depicted as moral and paternal, but also under one of his other names (mahakala) as the Great God of Time, the 'Destroyer' of all things. He is the Great Yogi who dwells on Mount Kailassa in the high Himalayas, deep in the dhyana meditation that maintains the worlds very existence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Shiva was said to have taught the Brahmin (highest Hindu caste) Parasurama the art of Kalari Payat, the art itself arising out from Shiva's war with his Father-In-Law Daksha, one of the Prajapatis or 'Lords Of Creation'. Parasurama taught his 21 disciples (all Brahmins themselves) the art of Kalari Payat, and then opened 108 Kalari (school's/gymnasiums) around the Kerala region of Southern India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The very sparse written historical details that exist today, about Kalari Payat, date back to between the 9th and 12th centuries AD. Obviously, this is much too late for the arts origins given the teachings of Bodhidharma, and the long martial heritage of India, known to the Persian Empire (circa 6th Century BC) and the Hellenistic Empire of Alexander the Great (4th Century BC). It is however, well within the time frame for a transmission (along with Tantric Buddhism) to Tibet, and for the period of Ah-Dat-Tor Lama, founder of the Tibetan Lion's Roar Lama martial art (Circa 1426 AD) - see below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, Bodhidharma, is remembered in the Kerala Region of Southern India - the Homeland of Kalari, as both a lineage Kalari Master, AND, as the Father of Han-Chinese Shaolin 'Kung-Fu'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Kalari Payat has many similarities with Chinese martial arts. There is a division into Northern and Southern styles. There is a separation of systems and techniques into 'external' and 'internal' categories. There is a medical tradition (in Kalari: <i>Ayurveda), </i>there is a vital point discipline (in Kalari: <i>Marma-adi</i>), there is a 'spiritual' aspect that covers both orthodox faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, and also, as in Chinese Kung-Fu a demonology and the use of alters. There is a strong weapons training tradition in Kalari, indeed in some systems the empty hand arts are secondary - as in some South-East Asian martial disciplines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Kalari has many distinct practices too, the use of massage to prepare the fighter for the rigors of training can last a period of several months. The 'Kalari' or Gymnasium - particularly in the Southern systems is constructed as a ritually dug pit of specific dimensions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Kalari Payat today, is still practiced in the same manner as it was hundreds and probably thousands of years ago, the rural traditions of India keeping it's original practices very much alive and unaltered, in large contrast to much of Mainland Chinese Kung-Fu - which has undergone great change since the homogenization of the Cultural Revolution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This author was astonished in 1982 to witness a British BBC television documentary entitled: "The Way Of The Warrior": 'Kalari, the Indian Way'. The opening film sequence was of a Southern Kalari Payat Guru (Master) performing a traditional 'Form' that was near identical to a Tibetan Lion's Roar Lama Kung-Fu form that he had learned! This was despite a separation between the arts of many hundreds of miles and several hundreds of years. The connection was real, present and obvious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">An intriguing suggestion has been made by several prominent martial arts historians, notably Tatsuo Suzuki, Hirokazu Kanazawa, and Masutasu Oyama, that the Greek Martial Art of Pankration (all Powers) introduced into India by the army of Alexander the Great in the 4th Century BC, influenced the development of Kalari, and thence, the martial arts of China, Tibet, Japan, Okinawa and South-East-Asia. The Greeks remained in India and Afghanistan for three hundred years, during which time Greek (Hellenistic) culture pervaded that of India, even influencing China and Japan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Today, mainly for reasons of national pride, many Chinese reject out of hand the possibility of any effect on Kung-Fu from Greek Pankration. The Japanese and Okinawan's, who openly acknowledge the influence of Kung-Fu on their arts are less reticent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Kalari and Tibetan Martial Arts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Tibetan Lion's Roar! Lama, Potala Palace Martial Art: the martial art of the Tibetan Nation and People; is a Tantric Yana in it's own right.</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">The art becomes known to narrative history in the middle of the 15th century AD, when the Lama Ah-Dat-Tor, a Tantric Siddha (Crazy Wisdom Teacher), and student of Dharma Master Gong-Got Lama, at the Potala's famous: Namgyal or "Victorious" Monastery, 'created' the Lion's Roar! martial art through a Tantric meditative and Yiddam (Deity Meditation) process,</span><span style="font-size: medium;">making Lion's Roar Lama Potala Palace Kung-Fu, part of the Gelugpa or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, a part of the lineage sect of the Dalai Lama himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is as far as the oral narrative histories, can take us. However, broader anthropological research can offer the potential for further insight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The 'Potala': </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Early legends concerning the Red Mountain at Lhasa, tell of a sacred cave, considered to be the dwelling place of the Bodhisattva Chenrezig that was used as a meditation retreat by Emperor Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century AD. In 637 King Songtsen Gampo built a palace on the 'Red Hill/Mountain' at Lhasa.</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">From as early as the eleventh century the Palace was called Potala. The name probably derives from Mt. Potala (Sanskrit: Potalaka - derived from the Tamil for 'Brilliance' or 'To Light a Fire') the mythological mountain abode of the Bodhisattva Chenrezig (Indian - 'Avilokiteshvara', Han- 'Kuan Yin') in the Kerala region of Southern India. The Potalaka is sacred to Hindu's, Jains and Buddhists. The Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo has been regarded as an incarnation of Chenrezig (as indeed were all the subsequent incarnations of the Dalai Lama). As he founded the Potala, it seems likely that the Mountain top Palace of Lhasa took on the name of the Indian sacred mountain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Given this, and given that The Lion's Roar (as part of the Lotus Sutra) was originally a Theravada Arhat teaching, it seems likely that very early Buddhist influence (Theravadian) may well have entered into Tibet, and settled near to the Potala Mountain. The Lion's Roar! Tibetan martial art, is acknowledged to have been influenced by the Indian martial art of Kalari Pyatt. Some narrative histories make direct claim that Ah-Dat-Tor was trained in Kalari, and, some martial arts forms from the 'Southern' style of Kalari Pyatt, from the Kerala district, are very close indeed in technique and sequence to modern Lion's Roar forms, even without any evidence whatsoever of any recent historical contact between the systems. This fact was recorded in a BBC Television film documentary in 1981: "Kalari, the Indian way" which shows a Southern Kalari Master performing a martial arts form near identical to one found in a branch lineage from the Chan-Tat-Fu line of Tibetan Hap-Gar Kung-Fu. Given that the Sacred Mountain of Potala is in Southern India, a potential link to Southern Kalari martial arts is obviously evident (see above).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Given also that Gong-Got Lama (Dharma Master) was also a teacher of martial arts at the Potala to Ah-Dat-Tor Lama, it may well be that Southern Indian Kalari Pyatt together with its sister art Simhanada Vajramukti, was already present at Lhasa, and taught on the Potala Red-Hill for many generations before 'Lion's Roar' as we know it (exclusively through Han Chinese lineages) was 'formulated' by Ah-Dat-Tor himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The transformation of the Arhat (Theravadian) tradition into the Mahayana Bodhisattva, may mirror the transformation of Iindian Kalari Pyatt into Tibetan Lion's Roar Lama 'Kung-Fu'. Named Arhat forms still exist in some extant Han 'Tibetan' Hop-Gar, Lama and White Crane Kung-Fu lineages, that all arise from the original Lion's Roar of Ah-Dat-Tor. Bodhisattva forms also exist, showing the mixture of traditions. Indeed some Tibetan lineages in Hop-Gar claim that their Tantra is from the Karmapa 'Black-Hat' tradition, which cannot be the case if Ah-Dat-Tor was a Monk at the Potala, unless, further influence occurred after Ah-Dat-Tor's time, which seems to be the case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, Ah-Dat-Tor's art, as originated by him, or as 'ascribed to him', albeit arising from a Kalari root, has further diversified into many branches. To be authentically 'Tibetan' however, the Lion's Roar! Lama 'Kung-Fu' MUST be Tantric in form and practice, this is the essential root, and must be 'living' even in the Han-diversified or Westernized branches of the art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">To be practiced as Tantra, TRUE Lion's Roar! Martial Arts will resemble Japanese 'Zen' martial systems, even more than they do Han Chinese, in respect of their integrated spiritual - Buddhist practices. Just as Karate-Do is the way of the 'Empty' (Zen) Hand, so too is Lion's Roar 'Tantra', in it's integrated body, mind, and spiritual form.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Buddhism has always changed to meet 'local' conditions, in host cultures: Tibet, Thailand, Japan, China, the West etc (e.g. 'Gnostic Buddhism'). Lion's Roar! as a Tantric martial art has also changed and evolved, but, as with Buddhism, and in particular, as with 'Tibetan' Buddhism, the art must have a Tantric core. Then, the Lion's Roar! will still Roar the Buddha's Dharma, and still be a vehicle for transformation and enlightenment, just as it was always intended to be.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">'Tibetan' Kung-Fu has been demonstrated to be related in religion to India thru Tantric Buddhism, and now thru actual research the physical connections in technique and form can be seen as still alive, and still flourishing in Kerala, Southern India, the 'homeland' of Kalari, which is <i>perhaps</i> the 'Mother Art' for both Tibetan and Han Chinese 'Kung-Fu'......</span></div>
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</div>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377794047985521454.post-5082674239945207572008-07-28T12:17:00.003+05:302011-09-14T18:31:10.553+05:30KUDASSANAD Ente Nadu (എന്റെ ഗ്രാമം) <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nlzsx9nflTY/TnCjQo4KoSI/AAAAAAAAAOU/zrY89suwGm4/s1600/kudassanad.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nlzsx9nflTY/TnCjQo4KoSI/AAAAAAAAAOU/zrY89suwGm4/s200/kudassanad.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652197038596202786" border="0" /></a><br />Kudassanad is part of the Palamel Panchayat (village council), which comes under Alappuzha District. The natural world in its true spirits is seen in Kudassanad with evergreen nature and high hills with rubber plantations. Situated on the border between Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts, just 4-km to the north passes the Main Central (MC) Road and 4-km to the south the Kayamkulam-Punalur (KP) Road.<br /><br />Kudassanad is situated on the threshold of Pandalam, where Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala grew up in the palace of the King of Pandalam. Pilgrims to Sabarimala come to Pandalam for worship at the Valiya Koickal Temple before proceeding to Sabarimala. The annual ceremony of carrying the “Sacred Ornament” (Thiruvabharanam) to adore the deity in Sabarimala is a great religious event, in which hundreds of thousands of believers participate.<br /><br />Kudassanad forms part of the Mavelikara Parliamentary and Pandalam Assembly Constituencies. The legendary M.N. Govindan Nair, Thoppil Bhasi and K.C. George - all veterans of the Communist movement - who stood in the forefront of the Vayalar-Punnapra struggle - have represented the constituencies in the 1950s and 1960s.<br /><br />Though a small village, Kudassanad is self reliant in almost all fields. It has modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art services: Anganvadi, Government LP School, one English medium School run by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, one LP School run by the Syro-Malankara Rite of the Catholic Church and one Higher Secondary School belong<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_df-_-J8aeA/TnCkShaqgxI/AAAAAAAAAOk/v1D7bQL21zo/s1600/n.s.s.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 102px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_df-_-J8aeA/TnCkShaqgxI/AAAAAAAAAOk/v1D7bQL21zo/s200/n.s.s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652198170464781074" border="0" /></a>ing to the Nair Service Society (NSS). The Panchayat Samskarika Nilayam (Cultural Centre) takes care of the intellectual needs of the people. The general health of the population is taken care of by Mar Baselios Mission Hospital and other private and homeopathy clinics as well as by other highly qualified medical practitioners. In addition to the Post Office, the locality has several STD/ISD Booths. There are a number of regular government and private buses plying at an interval of 10-15 minutes to different directions. Also numerous taxis, jeeps and three-wheelers facilitate the travel needs of the general public. Daily evening markets, in addition to the two weekly markets on Tu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jy76cTpwSc/TnCkiwbI1oI/AAAAAAAAAOs/aUBkR908tLM/s1600/catholicate_church_kudassanad.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 138px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jy76cTpwSc/TnCkiwbI1oI/AAAAAAAAAOs/aUBkR908tLM/s200/catholicate_church_kudassanad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652198449371207298" border="0" /></a>esday and Friday, attract people even from distant villages. Long before globalisation came to big towns, Kudassanad had the Cable TV facilities, which can receive hundreds of national and international TV Progr<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNMeSZWKk1k/TnCjcFbXDMI/AAAAAAAAAOc/oyIf7XxsX6M/s1600/179601_185666348121142_100000333355261_585277_6812873_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 119px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNMeSZWKk1k/TnCjcFbXDMI/AAAAAAAAAOc/oyIf7XxsX6M/s200/179601_185666348121142_100000333355261_585277_6812873_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652197235238571202" border="0" /></a>ammes!<br /><br />The natives, irrespective of caste and creed, are proud of their famous centuries old (Thirumani Mangalam Mahadevan) temple. Kudassanad is also sanctified by the prese<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlArEuoRvO4/TnClSO_xKcI/AAAAAAAAAO8/xSNyDmRi7nw/s1600/Thirumani.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 110px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlArEuoRvO4/TnClSO_xKcI/AAAAAAAAAO8/xSNyDmRi7nw/s200/Thirumani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652199265031760322" border="0" /></a>nce of the ancient St. Stephen’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral. Consecrated in 1873, this cathedral is fondly called the Valia Palli. St. Thomas Catholic Church, consecrated in 1944, is another Church, besides one Guru Mandiram.<br /><br />The literacy rate of Kudassanad, having a population of over 5,000 is admirable. The population density is 1144 per sq. Km. 70 per cent of the population owns land. Kudassanad also jealously guards the distinction of being the granary of Palamel Panchayat. Under the Kallada Irrigation Project (KIP), tributaries were constructed to release water to the Karingaly Paddy Fields spreading over 1,500 acres in the upper Kuttanad region in times of drought; but as in every case, this noble attempt is scuttled by the lethargic, negligent and arrogant bureaucracy. Thus costly lives saving crops are damaged every year resulting in avoidable hardships to the farmers. Even on occasion the water is released, the heavy silting of the KIP canals due to lack of maintenance and clogging at different points have been affecting the free flow of water along various stretches of the canal leading to the Karingaly paddy fields extending to the geographical jurisdiction of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta revenue divisions, comprising Kudassanad, Karimuckam Cherickal, Poozhickad, and Ulavuckad. It may be mentioned here that Basmati cultivation had successfully been initiated at the Karingaly paddy fields at the turn of the century.<br /><br />In addition to rice, vegetables, tapioca, black pepper, cashew nuts, mangoes, ginger, pine apple, coconut trees, etc. are also cultivated. Milk collection and distribution centres are a great boon to the villagers. A few families practice ducks and poultry farming. Brick manufacture is done on a small scale. Rice and flourmills take care of the work formerly carried out by housewives. There is also a daily market; teashops, bakeries, grocery shops, and the like help the village to be self-sufficient.<br /><br />The mostly educated people, working abroad (Gulf Region, European Union, the U.S.A. and Canada) have brought fame and prosperity to the village, which has completely changed its facet, thus fondly earning the nickname “mini-Gulf”.<br /><br />Kudassanad has a fairly good system of commercial and cooperative banking network. In an area of vast potentiality, a team of industrious individuals working together brought in a new branch of The Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd. (CSB) to harness the vast financial resources of Kudassanad.</div>Kalarippayattuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059310968809344579noreply@blogger.com0