Kalaripayattu - limited or limitless?

Recently I came across a social media post published by a Kalari school that roused my interest. I always have liked it when philosphy entwines with Martial Arts. It straightaway touches something deep. For instance, interviews made by Bruce Lee on his philosophies towards Jeet Kune Do practice has influenced my entire life.

But this particular post left me a bit torn. And so, instead of starting the typical argument on the comments section of the post, I decided to play with the mentoned ideas in my head for some days and outpour my thoughts here. Smart and energy efficient considering what goes on these days, you think. I agree.

So, the post said that Kalari was developed as a survival art form and should never be practiced with fitness as the goal. It went on to describe beautifully why Kalaripayattu is meant for survival and rehab and strengthened the concept further but I had to say (not loudly) - hang on, why should we even try to draw boundaries around Kalaripayattu?

Why cannot Kalaripayattu be a unique individual experience for each student? Why does it have to be only a survival art form or a rehab form? Why can it never be about fitness? On a different yet related note, who are we even to define something like "Kalaripayattu" which is as vast as the sky and deep as the seas?

Masters of the past and present, make me feel like a beginner even though I have been with Kalaripayattu (and more martial arts thereafter) since 35 odd years. I look at each new student, young and old, with appreciation and respect. Hoping that Kalaripayattu influences them like it did me, and that they would be the next reason (after me) to keep this great art form alive and spreading.

I do my best to not judge upon the physical abilities or lack therefore of my students when they enter the Kalari. All I ask a student is what I would ask myself too when ready to start learning - Is your mind focused and open to learn without any judgements? Let Kalaripayattu tell you what it can do for you. Not the other way around.

We would never tell a 5 year old who picks up the violin for the first time - "pick it only if you intend to play for the PhilHarmonic Orchestra, the Violin is not meant for anything lesser"

A violin is a violin. It means something unique to everyone who played it or listened to it.

We simply allow ().

Kalaripayattu is Kalaripayattu. We allow. Just allow.