Kalarippayattu: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
imported>Michael J. Formica No edit summary |
imported>Michael J. Formica No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Kalarippayattu''' is an ancient [[martial arts|martial art]] that has its origins in the [[Kerala]] area of Southern [[India]], and can be traced back to the [[Vedas|Vedic]] period. Although the art itself is not well known outside of India, legend has it that around 525 AD | '''Kalarippayattu''' is an ancient [[martial arts|martial art]] that has its origins in the [[Kerala]] area of Southern [[India]], and can be traced back to the [[Vedas|Vedic]] period. Although the art itself is not well known outside of India, legend has it that around 525 AD the Indian Buddhist monk [[Bodhidharma]] traveled to [[China]] and the [[Shaolin Temple]]. Upon finding the monks weak and listless, Bodhidharama taught them the eighteen hands of [[Buddha]], which later became known as the 18 Lohan Hands. This was a specialized set of exercises derived from the eighteen ''adavukal'' (adavu = technique) that form the basis of the ''Vadakkan'' or northern style of Kalarippayattu that had a profound effect on the martial arts of China, [[Shaolin Kung Fu]] in particular. | ||
Revision as of 08:12, 24 January 2008
Kalarippayattu is an ancient martial art that has its origins in the Kerala area of Southern India, and can be traced back to the Vedic period. Although the art itself is not well known outside of India, legend has it that around 525 AD the Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma traveled to China and the Shaolin Temple. Upon finding the monks weak and listless, Bodhidharama taught them the eighteen hands of Buddha, which later became known as the 18 Lohan Hands. This was a specialized set of exercises derived from the eighteen adavukal (adavu = technique) that form the basis of the Vadakkan or northern style of Kalarippayattu that had a profound effect on the martial arts of China, Shaolin Kung Fu in particular.