Hi Everyone!! This article will share Kalaripayattu Questions & Answers.
Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest forms of martial arts and is practiced in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, North-eastern Sri Lanka and among the Malayali community of Malaysia. Below are given its questions and answers. I have also shared the Questions & Answers of The World Is Too Much With Us and Bangle Sellers in my previous posts. So, make sure to check those posts as well.
Kalaripayattu Questions & Answers
Question 1: What is kalaripayattu? Where is it practiced?
Answer: Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest forms of martial arts in India, and across the world. It is practiced in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Northeastern Sri Lanka and among the Malayali community of Malaysia.
Question 2: What images cross our mind when we think of Kerala?
Answer: The images of Kathakali dancers, exotic cuisine, rippling coconut trees, emerald backwaters, enchanting elephants, magical monsoons and soothing ayurvedic treatments cross our mind when we think of Kerala.
Question 3: Which dance forms does Kalaripayattu influence?
Answer: Kalaripayattu influenced Kathakali and Theyyam.
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Question 4: What are Kalaris?
Answer: Kalaris are schools where Gurukuls or masters teach the art.
Question 5: Read the extract given below and answer the following questions:
‘It was an intrinsic part of society in medieval Kerela. It was mostly practiced by Nairs and Ezhavas, to protect the state and the king. Buddhist warriors from North Kerela called Lohars also practiced Kalaripayattu.’
(a) What is Kalaripayattu associated with?
Answer: Kalaripayattu is associated with Dhanurveda and Ayurveda.
(b) Find a word from the extract which means ‘essential’.
Answer: Intrinsic
(c) Why did the Nairs and Ezhavas practice Kalaripayattu?
Answer: The Nairs and Ezhavas practiced Kalaripayattu to protect the state and the king.
(d) Who practiced Kalaripayattu in medieval Kerala?
Answer: Kalaripayattu was mostly practiced by Nairs and Ezhavas in medieval Kerala.
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Kalaripayattu Questions & Answers
Question 6: How is Kalaripayattu emerging in today’s times?
Answer: Kalaripayattu is emerging as a source of inspiration for self-expression in traditional and contemporary dance forms. It has a rhythm that carries a continuous flow of energy and harmony that are essential ingredients of ballet and theatre performances.
Question 7: Read the extract given below and answer the following questions:
‘Parashuram taught this art to his 21 disciples and initiated 108 kalaris throughout the state. Sage Agasthya is believed to have introduced Kalari Chikitsa, a unique system of medical treatment, in connection with kalaris in Kerala.’
(a) Why did Lord Parashuram introduce Kalaripayattu?
Answer: Lord Parashuram introduced Kalaripayattu to protect the land and its people.
(b) Find a word from the extract which means ‘incarnation’.
Answer: Avatar
(c) How did Kerala emerge?
Answer: According to the legend, when Lord Parashuram flung his axe into the sea, the waters receded where the axe landed and Kerala emerged.
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Question 8: What happens to a warrior who has mastered verumkaithari?
Answer: A warrior who has mastered verumkaithari need not carry any weapon, even against a group of armed opponents. She/he has tremendous control over her/his mind. She/he can literally paralyse anyone using the forefinger, which is called the Marmam technique.
Kalaripayattu Questions & Answers
Question 9: How is Kalaripayattu taught? What are the stages in Kalaripayattu?
Answer: Kalaris are schools where Gurukals or masters teach the art. Weapons such as sword, dagger, shield, short sticks, spears, etc. are used. Training for Kalaripayattu takes place inside a specially constructed practice area and includes breath control, physical training, meditation, armed and unarmed conflict and specific classes of treatments. The class begins by lighting the Bhadradeepam (the Holy Lamp) and blowing the divine conch.
Following are the stages of learning in Kalaripayattu:
i. First stage (meipayattu or maithari) involves body exercises
ii. Second stage (kolthari) involves training with wooden weapons
iii. Third stage (angathari ) the use of metal weapons
iv. Fourth Stage (verumkai) involves fighting empty handed
A warrior who has mastered Verumkaithari need not carry any weapon, even against a group of armed opponents. He/She has tremendous control over his/her mind. He/She can literally paralyse anyone using the forefinger, which is called the Marmam technique.
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Question 10: How is a Kalari made?
Answer: A Kalari is specially made by removing the topsoil to a depth of three to four feet. In one of the corner, there is a presiding deity called the ‘puttara’. Also, there is another place called the ‘guruttara’ which is dedicated to the preceptors of kalaripayattu.
Question 11: Trace the origin of Kalaripayattu.
Answer: Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest forms of martial arts in India, and across the world (about 2000-3000 years old). According to the legend, when Lord Parashuram flung his axe into the sea, the waters receded where the axe landed and Kerala emerged. In order to protect the land and its people, Parashuram introduced Kalaripayattu. Parashuram taught this art to his 21 disciples and initiated 108 kalaris throughout the state. Sage Agasthya is also believed to have introduced kalari Chikilthsa, a unique system of treatment, in connection with kalaris in Kerala. Kalaripayattu is directly associated with Dhanur Veda (the ancient Indian Science of War) and Ayurveda.
Question 12: Explain the entomology of Kalaripayattu.
Answer: The name ‘Kalari’ has been derived from Sanskrit Khaloorika, meaning the place where the art of using weapons and developing the physique is taught. ‘Kalari’ means the place where any particular art form is taught and ‘payat’ means practice or exercise.
So, these were Kalaripayattu Questions & Answers.