HOW ANIMALS INSPIRED THE CREATION OF THIS LEGENDARY WARRIOR ART – THE ROLE OF GAJA IN KALARIPAYATTU
Kalari Gods believed in the power of nature. Nature has the key to all the locks created by a man’s mind who is living a restricted life that is self-limited, and what better way than to learn it from the animals who are living freely in the state of nature? The warrior Gods tried to inculcate the alertness of an animal’s physical senses, like that of an elephant, the subconscious, and clairvoyance in its martial character. And thus, formulated this legendary, unshakable warrior art.
Since, Kalaripayattu’s 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. Thus, we will learn how working workout the kalari way is the new best method to attain 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.