Kalari: The Body as Temple

A Videography by James Bailey

Kalarippayattu, or Kalari as it is known, is an extremely sacred martial form indigenous to Kerala in southern India.  Living teaching lineages exist today that span more than a thousand years. The schools, or Kalaris as they are called, are initiation-based under the guidance of the guru. A handful of western students have been allowed to study in these Kalaris.

This videography is a work in progress. In this clip, note the graceful, free fluid movements, similar to yoga, but more openly expressed in space. The master practitioner’s body is both supple and exudes pure shakti. Not limited by commercial rubber mats, Kalari is fluid and relates to the elements surrounding the practitioner.

Traveling to Kerala once or twice yearly has allowed me to capture some of the great Kalari teachers and practitioners. This is a work in progress.