The much awaited Kalari Margam took place on the 26th of February at the lush green environs of the Bangalore Cubbon Park. The renowned Band Stage at the park was the designated venue for the same.
As the banners and posters went, Kalari Margam was the first of its kind programme initiated by the Gurukulam to promote as well as create an awareness among the people about Kalaripayattu. Set amidst serene nature, this programme encompassed demonstration of the fundamentals of Kalaripayattu through a lecture demonstration along with mesmerizing weapon combat techniques and acrobatics.
It was 6.00 AM and the performing group slowly started pouring in to Cubbon Park. They were designated guides posted at all the possible entrances to the park so that no one would miss their way. Instructions were given out over smses and phone calls. 6.30 and the group was gathered at the Band Stage. The performance started off another 15 minutes later with the announcement of the same to the early morning joggers.
The Salutation was the first in the agenda which was followed by a short demonstration of the sword and the shield for the benefit of the onlookers. This display attracted more of an audience and we started off with the lecture demonstration. The demonstration was done both in Kannada and in English so that the linguistic needs of the crowd was taken care of. The accompaniment of the Djembe (African drums) added meat to the demonstration.This went on for an hour and then it was time for a snack break. Our Gurukkal took the pain to wrap up separate packs of the popular kerala steam cake fr each one of us and breakfast was thus a feast. Energies renewed everyone was ready to go for their weekly dose of kalari practice at the Band Stage. It was an occasion of a gathering of the entire group and the mood was festive, light and jovial. The Gurukulam Society Board Members were called in front of the group and introduced to them all. The children had a whale of a time with their friends doing cartwheels, trying out the sticks and exhibiting their martial art prowess proudly to the on lookers. The highlight of the first half of the day was the weaponery demonstration of the highly talented team from Kerala; the skilled practitioners from the famous PKB kalari in Kerala. It was a feast to the eyes and the crowd was mesmerized. The media was also in the picture and managed to grab quite a number of lovely shots for their publications.
A small break followed by lunch and the afternoon session started at three. Competitions for the kids took the next slot in the agenda. There was much enthusiasm for doing innumerable cartwheels and jumps and Lekha won the first prize among 8 participants in the same category. In the 10-18 age group it was Kiran raj who grabbed the first prize.
The highly talented Ramu Madanan was the one who bagged the first prize in the jumps category. 9 ft was the achieved height and that was amazing! In short, there was ample display of talent and skill and there was much appreciation going around for everyone. Excluding a couple of minor injuries sustained by some the event went off without a hitch and the befitting finale to the Kalari Margam was a continuous 10 Meypayattus by Sudarshan.
About The Writer"The image of women fighting with weapons and defending themselves inspired me to take up Kalaripayattu. It came across as difficult when I started it but with practice and focus I have really begun to enjoy it," says Asha, a language teacher who joined Ranjan's class a year back.Asha Francis, works as a training lead at Hewlett Packard in Bangalore. Writing and Kalaripayattu are her two major passions. She trains in Kalaripayattu at KAPA, Bangalore, under Ranjan Mullarat. Asha can be contacted at ashfrancis@yahoo.com
