CVN Kalari Sangham, Thiruvananthapuram- Kerala

Positioned in the vicinity of the East Fort, the CVN Kalari Sangham in Trivandrum is 6 Km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and 1 Km from the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway station. Established in 1956 it is brain child of three prominent people C V Narayanan Nair, Kottackal Karunakara Gurukkal and C V Balan. It was due to their vision and efforts the dying art of Kalarippayattu was revived once again.

Kalarippayattu is considered to be the mother of all martial art forms in the world and is a priceless asset to Kerala's heritage. The Kalari is a practice ring or training centre where this art form is practiced and Payattu is a duel. Hence the meaning of Kalarippayattu is martial skills learnt in a ring or training centre. Kalari is an intricate blend of not only the physical powers but a tough mindset and a unique control of martial techniques used for defense and a healing art. The people popularize the art by demonstrating it, collecting necessary information about it and setting up of various Kalaries through out the state.

Kalarippayattu is considered a sublime martial art, certain deities are placed in the Kalari and devotional rituals performed before every session to obtain their blessings. At CVN Kalari, Kalari Chikitsa also called Kalari treatment is another interesting thing to see. This is a total system of medicine to heal ailments as well as to develop the flexibility of the body. So a visit to CVN Kalari Sangam is a life time experience and a worth remembering for the visitors to this centre.