Today, Kerala presents a pinnacle point of various cultures amalgamating in refined concord. Its cultural lineage is evolving day by day with a progressive approach and outlook of the people. Kerala has a distinctive style of martial art called Kalaripayattu, based on the antique knowledge of human body. It is supposed to be a crucial and susceptible sport. Its derivation is traced to Parasurama, the creator of Kerala, who was the pioneer of this art of self defense. The place where this martial art is practiced, is called a 'Kalari'. It is a Malayalam word that signifies a kind of gymnasium. Kalari literally means 'threshing floor' or 'battlefield'. It is supposed to be a form of physical culture armed or unarmed self defense and battle clubbed all in one. People from other parts of the country visit this land to seek lessons of this age old art of attack and defense. Not only men, but even women are increasingly taking interest in learning this art of safeguarding oneself from any alarming element. It is said to be the epitome of all martial arts. This 3000 year old art form is considered as the father of modern Kung - Fu. It is indeed a matter of pride that this exclusive art of self resistance was exported to China and Japan by Buddhist monks which has become world famous and appreciated and applauded in different styles. During the training of Kalaripayattu, one is taught how to inculcate the powers and sinuous strengths of the majestic animals like lion, tiger, elephant, wild boar, snake and crocodile. Kalari is a martial art form of Kerala. The origin of the Dravidian word 'Kalari' itself is doubtful, as to whether it is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Khalurika' or vice versa. The word literally means - a parade place for military exercises. It is used to mean both military training centre and a place for acquisition of knowledge. 'Kalari' also means an assembly or a business place or a temple where the family deity presides. 'Payatt' means practice or exercise. Kalari Payattu is a traditional style of combat and has no accompanying instruments to punctuate its movements. The locomotion and bodily throws and thrusts of the practitioner are done according to verbal instructions of the teacher (Gurukkal) which are articulated in the mould of a special rhythm. Kalari is responsible mainly for the stronger elements of Kerala's dance and culture. Kalari practices gives to any dancer, female or male, proper grounding for developing skill and flexibility of the body. The basic stance of Kathakali resembles that of Kalari very much. The 'Chuzhippu' in Kathakali has directly sprung from the 'Vadivu' in Kalari. A 'Vadivu' starts with a static pose which later gets charged with movement. Gaja (elephant), Aswa (horse), Kukkuta (cock), Marjara (cat), Narasimha (half lion and half man - Vishnu's incarnation), Matsya (fish) and Sarpa (snake) are poses which a student of Kalari practices as a part of his offence and defence exercises. The 'tandava' type of movement in Kalari is developed from the tradition comprising various group and individual martial forms inherited from the tribal society. One of the peculiarities of the concept of movement in the Kalari system is that it is conceived as a kind of expression of an inner urge or 'bhava'. The term 'Sarirabhava' generally used in Kalari rightly emphasises this point and it has great relevance to Indian concept of acting. The four components of Kalari are angika, aharyya, vachika and satvika; though the practice of 'Sarirabhava' teaches the rudimentary lessons of the combination of angika and satvika. Kalari culture is known to Kerala from pre historic days. There are two distinct styles of Kalari Payattu, the Northern and the Southern style. There were Kalaris belonging to many communities of Dravidian origin like Pulaya and Parayas. In earlier days Kalari was not only a place to impart physical training but also languages, arts and science. Later due to internal strife between the various chieftains in different principalities in Kerala, Kalari gradually became centre's used to maintain a small army of fighters to deal with the constant warfare between the chieftains. There was a developed system of medicine, practiced in all Kalaris and this formed a branch of Ayurveda. This system of medicine known as 'Kalari Marma Chikitsa' has earned wide popularity. Chanting of mantras without sound were also done in Kalari's for the concentration of the mind. Now the mantras have gone out of use and Kalari is only practiced as a means of physical exercise and medicine