By Kanika Rangray

New Delhi: The Indian Kalarippayattu Federation (IKF) was recognised as a Regional Sports Federation by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports today. This move comes as a means of promoting and giving due acknowledgement and importance to sports having regional spread.

The recognition places a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the IKF for the promotion and development of Kalarippayattu sport in India.

Kalaraippayattu is a martial art style originated in Kerala during 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD. It is considered to be one of the oldest fighting system in existence. Originally it was practiced in northern and central parts of Kerala and the Tulunada region of Karnataka. Now it is practiced in Kerala and adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu.

The rejuvenation of public interest in Kalarippayattu began in the 1920s in Thalassery, a commercial town on the Malabar District in Kerala, in a bid to recoup traditional arts throughout south India. It continued through the 1970s with a surge in the general worldwide interest in various martial arts.

In popular culture, Kalarippayattu martial art form was picturised in various movies. This gave the art form a new lease of life as it took off from a tiny region of India to the international cinema, watched by a big population across nations. Some of the movies that included the ancient art form include – Indian (1996), Asoka (2001), Ondanondu Kaladalli (Kannada), The Myth (2005), Commando (2013), and The Last Legion (2007).

Here is a video about Kalaripayuttu from Kerala Toursim: