Gaja Vadivu
How animals inspired the creation of this legendary warrior art - the role of Gaja in kalaripayattu
Since, Kalaripayattu art of warfare is developed by closely observing the martial moves, fighting skills, and survival techniques of various ferocious animals, this art is raw and pure in its application. And thus, we will learn how doing workout the kalari way is the new best method to attain the mental , physical and spiritual fitness.
‘Cute’ is the first expression that comes to our mind when we hear the word, “elephants”. On the Contrary, these endearing creatures are one of the most ruthless fighters. Yes, it takes typically seven lionesses to kill a single adult elephant, such is the power of this majestic creature.
Here, Gaja meaning, elephant forms the foremost animal taken in Kalari in formulating the lesson of VADIVU.
Lesson #1
Therefore, the Gaja stance is taught to gain strength in the hips, thighs, spine and ankle with the help of a stance called as AMARCHA.
This is indisputedly the best workout for your legs strength and backbone flexibility. It is power generating in its character and hence a thorough practice is needed to attain this stance.
Lesson #2
A Kalari practitioner is taught to move in such a manner that it attains the unmatched flexibility of that of the trunk of an elephant that it uses to grab, pull, and attack an opponent.
Therefore, in the Gaja posture hands are taught to move in a particular form while using the whole body’s flexibly, especially the ‘spine’ and take the stance of a shield in front of the chest to protect the weak areas of the neck, collar bone, chin and face in an alert position of defense.
Just by looking one cannot know how strengthening and challenging this hand gesture with jointed elbows, covered abdomen and straightened spine is unless one does it themselves.
Lesson #3
Therefore, in kalari the warrior is taught to achieve enough courage and strength to fight the whole crowd and disperse it alone singlehandedly.
This stance in its various forms and application of combat is one of the best means to achieve this tremendous speed and vigor in the body irrespective of the body weight, age, sex, and physical activeness. in fact, practicing this stance leads to the whole-body transformation.
Lesson #4
Therefore, in Kalari, A warrior is taught to become a ruthless fighter by more of her mental strength than her physical ability. And that mental strength gives the confidence to use the body fearlessly in times of need.
And hence, Kalari Kendram always focuses on teaching the capacity and ability to ‘ take an attack’ as much as taught how ’to attack’ with the rigorous practice of this Gaja vadivu not only instance formation but in a rhythmic -vitality consuming- body movements and holds which boosts the confidence in onself inside out evidently.
CONCLUSION
The uniqueness of Kalari vadivu lies in its rare blend of stances, movements, and postures that actively involves all the parts of the body in a very distinctive fashion.
Kalaripayattu when done religiously for some time gives proof of its unparalleled method of fitness that the world desperately needs today.
It is an unexplored treasure of India and the martial art with the rare combination of 3M’s :
MOVEMENT
MEDITATION
MASSAGE
KaJal Srivastava- Kalari Shoorgirl
Warfare has been part of mankind’s innate nature since the pre-historic era. Among the most ancient and proven forms of combat in history happens to have originated from Kerala. Early written evidence of Kalaripayattu has been found in Dhanurveda- the Vedic literature and in Sangam literature.
WHAT IS KALARIPAYATTU?
Kalaripayattu is derived from two words- ‘Kalari’ which means ‘Training school’ and ‘Payattu’ means ‘Practising’. Kalaripayattu techniques are a combination of ‘Chuvadu’ and ‘Vadivu’. Chuvadu means the basics of the martial art and Vadivu means the postures. These postures are inspired by animals that are natural fighters. These postures are eight in number. There may be slight variations from school to school, but the core principles remain the same all over.