From Mammootty to Jackie Chan: Kozhikode’s CVN Kalari celebrates 75 years of Kalaripayattu training

Kozhikode: From training Malayalam cinema’s biggest stars to teaching martial arts to international actors including Jackie Chan, CVN Kalari at Nadakkavu, Kozhikode, has earned a rare distinction. Renowned both within and beyond the world of cinema, the celebrated institution has astonished the world with its techniques and physical discipline. CVN Kalari is marking its 75th anniversary this year. The year also coincides with the 25th death anniversary of its founder, K. Narayanan Gurukkal.

Celebrated Malayalam author M.T. Vasudevan Nair, while inaugurating the 51st anniversary of CVN Kalari, once said, “Narayanan Gurukkal and I were very close friends. When I decided to write a film centred on martial arts, I was in constant discussion with him. I even borrowed and read some of the books he owned”. He was recalling the origins of ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’.

With the start of the film’s shooting, CVN Kalari further cemented its reputation by training actors including Mammootty in Kalaripayattu. Since then, whenever filmmakers require expertise in the martial art, CVN Kalari has remained their first port of call — a tradition that continues to this day.

The institution’s association with cinema began in 1964, when actor Sathyan was trained for the film ‘Thacholi Othenan’. This was followed by work on films such as ‘Pazhassi Raja’, ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ and ‘Mamangam’, Bollywood productions including ‘Dil Se’ and ‘Padmaavat’, and even Hollywood, with Jackie Chan’s ‘The Myth’ among two international films. Through nearly 60 films, the fame of the kalari travelled far beyond India’s shores, with the legacy now carried forward by the next generation.

Inception of the institute

K. Narayanan Gurukkal had originally come from Kannur to Kozhikode to pursue advanced training in Kalaripayattu. He studied under C.V. Narayanan Nair Gurukkal and his disciples before founding C.V. Narayanan Nair Kalari, later known as CVN Kalari, in 1950, in memory of his guru.

“Even in those early years, he organised special shows to introduce the importance of Kalaripayattu to the world. People from many countries came to learn the art once they heard about the institution. In the 1980s, Lonely Planet listed CVN Kalari as the only place to visit in Kozhikode,” said Sunil Kumar Gurukkal, son of K. Narayanan Gurukkal and one of the institution’s directors.

For the past 20 years, the kalari has staged theatre productions abroad every year, running for six months, highlighting the history and relevance of Kalaripayattu. The institution has also made significant contributions in the fields of marma therapy and Ayurveda. It now has branches in Eranhikkal (Kozhikode), Kochi, Germany and Austria. Narayanan Gurukkal’s other sons, Anilkumar Gurukkal and Gopakumar Gurukkal, also serve as directors.

‘Veerasmrithi’ rekindles memories

An event celebrating the institute’s platinum jubilee and the 25th death anniversary of its founder was held at Kozhikode Beach on January 10.

The event, held at Freedom Square on Kozhikode Beach, was inaugurated by MLA Thottathil Ravindran and the actor Niranjana Anoop through a sword demonstration.

Before a large crowd cooled by the sea breeze, MLA Ravindran stepped forward wielding a sword and shield. Facing him was Niranjana, also armed and ready. In an instant, they advanced, their swords clashing. The moment stirred a flood of memories and smiles among the spectators.

Other cultural performances such as ‘Veera Kala’, depicting the history and tradition of Kalaripayattu, ‘Thanmayi’, which blended the martial art with Indian classical dance forms, as well as Russian dance, ramp walk, Bharatanatyam and Japanese dance, left the audience enthralled.

Kozhikode District Sports Council President P. Nikhil presided over the programme. The Narayanan Gurukkal Memorial Award was presented by the MLA to G. Sathyanarayanan Gurukkal and G. Radhakrishnan Gurukkal. Awards were also presented to actresses Niranjana Anoop, Athulya Chandra and Chandhini Sreedharan for learning Kalaripayattu and inspiring the younger generation to take up the art.

Speakers at the event included O. Rajagopal, Dr T. Nikhildas, Anandan Gurukkal, P.C. Muraleedharan Gurukkal, programme committee chairman M.K. Rajagopalan and convener M.C. Sudesh Kumar.