Tracing the evolution of Kerala's ancient battlefield science across the Sangam Age, Brahminical Salais, the Chera Perumals, and the feudal Swarupam kingdoms.
Spanning more than two millennia, the history of Kalarippayattu reflects the social and military transformation of Kerala—from the tribal battlefields of the Sangam Age (circa BC 200–600 AD) and the Vedic-martial Salais to the organized warrior regiments of the Chera Perumals and the private armies of medieval Swarupam principalities.
According to some historians, it was during the Sangam Age (circa BC 200–600 AD) kalarippayattu evolved and developed. Tamil literature and anthologies describe the warring tribes of that period. The word kalari is used for a battlefield and an arena for training in weaponry. The tribals (men and women) were trained in wielding weapons including the sword (val), spear (vel), bow (vil) and shield (khedam); and they were ferocious in battle.
The period between the 7th and 9th centuries was the Brahminical Age in Kerala. The Brahmins established their supremacy and influenced every sphere of the society. They set up centres called salais for training in the vedas and warfare.
The Perumals (or Cheras) ruled Kerala from the 8th century to the 11th century. The Chera rulers patronised kalaris and established a fighting force with a core group of one thousand Nayar (or Nair) captains. And each captain had ten well-trained soldiers (or Chekons) under his command.
(The Cheran rule (8th to 11th century) overlapped a part of the Brahminical Age (7th to 9th century). During the Cheran rule, salai continued imparting martial training to Brahmin students, while kalaris groomed soldiers belonging to the other castes and groups. By then the Brahmins, having consolidated their domain, chose to remain as landlords and priests. They ceased training themselves in martial arts, but the salai continued imparting vedic education. Eventually the salai vanished from Kerala. But the kalaris continued to function, teaching payattu.)
The long rule of the Perumals in Kerala came to an end in the early years of the 12th century. The emergence of a number of kings and chieftains wielding almost total control over Kerala, resulted in the fragmentation of Kerala into principalities called swarupam. The political and administrative machinery in Kerala had more or less collapsed under the constantly feuding kings and chieftains. For personal benefit, they maintained private armies and mercenaries thoroughly trained in the art of warfare.
One such was the Zamorin (samoothiri) of Calicut (Kozhikode). He had a well-structured army under his control. There are records of the armies maintained by the Raja of Pazhashi, the Kolathiri royal family and a few others in Malabar, and others in the southern parts of Kerala. The fighting readiness of those armies, the valour of the warriors and their expertise in payattu and the exploits are graphically described in history books and ballads.
A chronological overview of how Kalarippayattu institutions and warrior forces developed across Kerala's history:
| Historical Period | Key Institutions & Rulers | Martial Developments |
|---|---|---|
| Sangam Age (c. BC 200 – 600 AD) |
Warring tribes of ancient Tamilakam & Kerala; Kalari arenas | Men and women trained in sword (val), spear (vel), bow (vil), and shield (khedam). |
| Brahminical Age (7th – 9th Century) |
Brahmin Salais (Vedic & martial academies) | Dual education combining study of the Vedas with systematic instruction in warfare. |
| Chera / Perumal Rule (8th – 11th Century) |
Chera Perumals; Salais & Kalaris | Core army of 1,000 Nayar captains, each commanding 10 trained Chekon soldiers; Kalaris endured after Salais ceased martial training. |
| Era of Swarupams (12th Century Onwards) |
Zamorin of Calicut, Raja of Pazhashi, Kolathiri royal family | Fragmentation into Swarupam principalities maintaining private Kalari-trained armies celebrated in historical chronicles and ballads. |
According to historians, Kalarippayattu evolved during the Sangam Age (circa BC 200–600 AD), where the word kalari referred to both a battlefield and an arena for weaponry training.
Both men and women of the warring tribes trained with the sword (val), spear (vel), bow (vil), and shield (khedam).
Set up between the 7th and 9th centuries, salais trained Brahmin students in the Vedas and warfare, while kalaris trained soldiers from other castes and groups. After Brahmins consolidated their role as landlords and priests, they stopped martial training and the salais eventually disappeared, while kalaris continued teaching payattu.
Following the end of the Perumal rule in the early 12th century, Kerala fragmented into principalities called swarupams. Rulers such as the Zamorin (Samoothiri) of Calicut, the Raja of Pazhashi, and the Kolathiri royal family in Malabar maintained private armies thoroughly trained in Kalarippayattu.
Experience authentic Kalarippayattu from the heartland of Malabar—through live online classes or in-person training in Kannur and Bangalore.