Kalaripayattu The Mother of all Martial Arts

Press Release

Master Belraj Soni will conduct a ten-day Kalaripayattu Workshop from March 14 23, 2012 at the NCPA
For Immediate Release

Mumbai, March 2012: After hosting a range of workshops on various dance forms, The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Indias premier arts and culture institution, presents Kalaripayattu, an age old martial art tradition from Kerala complied by the Great Masters over centuries, in a ten-day workshop conducted by Kerala-based Kalari expert, Master Belraj Soni from March 14 23, 2012, at Sea View Room, NCPA, for people from across all backgrounds and above the age of 18. This unique martial-training intensive will focus on body postures, exercises for greater flexibility, kicks and techniques, and body conditioning stances, highly recommended for dancers, athletes, sportspeople, urban professionals, actors and fitness buffs to provide them with a new perspective on movement, achieve mind body and heart coordination and challenge their bodies. Serving as an introduction to Kalaripayattu for beginners, the workshop sessions can provide multiple benefits like enhance body-mind balance, concentration, increase stamina, reduce stress, boost immune system and endurance, better posture, better neuro-muscular coordination, removal of blockages from energy centres, awaken the body's self-healing mechanism and help in weight loss. The workshop is conducted by Master Belraj Soni, a talented artiste/demonstrator/trainer/ and organiser of traditional art forms of Kerala, who has trained danseuses like Dona Ganguly, Vasundaradorai Swami, Padma Menon and many others. He has been trained intensively in the Gurukula tradition at the Vallabhatta Kalari Sangham, Chavvakad. Soni has specialised in weapons training and healing techniques. A university champion, dedicated to the training and promotion of Kalaripayattu, he has conducted several training sessions and performed extensively across India.

One of the oldest fighting systems, Kalaripayattu was imparted through the gurukula system (residential school), where a student stayed with their guru till they mastered the art form. The place where Kalaripayattu is imparted, the Kalari, is a revered area on par with the sanctum sanctorum of a temple. There are two types of Kalaries Kuzhi Kalari and Nila Kalari. Kuzhi is a dugout space with a specific length and breadth. Nila Kalari is a place set apart by walls or some partitions. There are some sacred structures within the Kalari called Poothara and Guruthara. The Kalari master is known as Gurukkal or Panicker. The daily proceedings of the Kalari begin with the lighting of the traditional lamp called Kalari Vilakku or Bhadra Deepam, thus invoking the divine energy. Kalari training includes physical training or Meippayattu, training with wooden/metal weapons called Kolthari/Ankathari and the unarmed techniques or Verum Kaiprayogam. Apart from this, treatment systems like Kalari Chikilsa and Marma Chikilsa are also taught as part of the training. Kalari Chikilsa is a form of treatment developed for injuries that occur during practice. Massaging with hands and feet using medicated oils is the main process followed in Kalari Chikilsa. Marma Chikilsa is an allied form of treatment developed by the great gurus that focuses on vital points. Training methods of Kalaripayattu which broadly comprise of leg lifts and intense body postures lead to greater flexibility and removal of blockages from the energy centres, thus systematizing the flow of energy in the body and also help in weight loss. The scientific techniques employed also enhance bodymind balance, thus enhancing focus and concentration and leading to a visible increase in stamina and endurance. It reduces stress, helps in better functioning of the immune system, improves body posture and leads to better neuromuscular co-ordination. Speaking about the workshop Amrita Lahiri, Head Programming (Indian Dance), NCPA, says, Legend traces the 3,000-year-old art form of Kalari to Sage Parasurama. To res-establish its status and impart the manifold benefits, Guru Belraj Soni is conducting this special workshop at the NCPA. Utilising the five physical senses to its extreme, the practice of Kalaripayattu can achieve attention, speed, accuracy, strength, co-ordination, flexibility, memory power, concentration, better health and immunity a must for artistes, dancers and actors. We hope that people of Mumbai make the best of this opportunity and benefit from this short Kalari intensive. Open the window to the world of Kalari and give a boost to your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual growth.

Date 14th- 23rd March 2012

Event Kalaripayattu Workshop

Time Daily 6:30 to 8:00a.m. OR Daily 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Venue Sea View Room

Registration Fees Rs.2500/- (for the entire workshop)

Registration Details:

Please call Ms. Binaifar at 66223822/ 9869112010 or e-mail her at

bbhesania@ncpamumbai.com with your name, cell phone numbers, postal address and the batch timings that you would be interested in. Prior registration is necessary. Registration is complete on the payment of the workshop fee of Rs.2500/- (for the entire workshop). Registration on first come first served basis. Please wear comfortable clothing and carry a bottle of water.

About the NCPA: Inaugurated in 1969, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, exists to provide leadership on a national level as Indias premier performing arts, research and training centre through the presentation of Indian and international art forms, the promotion of excellence and the preservation of Indian & International cultural heritage. The NCPA programmes and presents more than 500 events each year across all major art forms, notably Indian and Western Classical Music, Theatre, Film, Dance and Visual Arts. We have programming heads for each of these art verticals who curate innovative events and festivals, representative of everything from classical to contemporary, throughout the year. We produce our own programmes as well as collaborate with leading cultural promoters from around the world.

For further information please log on to www.ncpamumbai.com

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