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With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu'?
Explanation
Kalaripayattu is an Indian martial art and fighting system that originated in Tamil Nadu and practiced by warriors of Kerala.[2] It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India.[3]
The other options are incorrect. Kalaripayattu is not a Bhakti cult of Shaivism (option A), nor is it a style of bronze and brasswork (option B). It is also not an ancient form of dance-drama in the northern part of Malabar, but rather an Indian martial art and fighting system.[4]
This traditional martial art form continues to be practiced in South India, particularly in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu, making it a living tradition that has survived from ancient times. The practice includes various physical training techniques, combat methods, and weapon training, representing an important aspect of India's cultural heritage.
Sources- [1] https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/4/NzE1MTYEEQQVV/-Culture-of-India-4
- [2] https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/4/NzE1MTYEEQQVV/-Culture-of-India-4
- [4] https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/4/NzE1MTYEEQQVV/-Culture-of-India-4
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewWhile technically 'Current Affairs' in the skeleton due to news mentions, this is a static 'Sitter' for any serious aspirant covering Indian Culture. It falls squarely under the 'Martial Arts' chapter of standard references (CCRT/Nitin Singhania), proving that Culture prep must go beyond just Temple Architecture and Classical Dance.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: In the context of India's culture and tradition, is Kalaripayattu an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India?
- Statement 2: In the context of India's culture and tradition, is Kalaripayattu an ancient style of bronze and brasswork still found in the southern Coromandel area?
- Statement 3: In the context of India's culture and tradition, is Kalaripayattu an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar?
- Statement 4: In the context of India's culture and tradition, is Kalaripayattu an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India?
- Contains the exact multiple-choice question and shows option (A) describing Kalaripayattu as a Bhakti cult.
- Explicitly marks option (D) — 'ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India' — as the correct answer, thereby refuting the statement.
- Provides a clear explanatory statement identifying Kalaripayattu as an Indian martial art and fighting system.
- States its origin in Tamil Nadu and practice in Kerala, supporting that it is a martial tradition in South India rather than a Bhakti cult.
- Describes regional variants (Varma Ati/Marma ati) and explicitly calls one the 'southern style of Kalaripayattu'.
- Places practice in parts of Tamil Nadu (old Travancore, Kanyakumari), reinforcing that Kalaripayattu is a martial tradition in South India.
States that the hymns of Azhwars and Nayanmars inaugurated the bhakti cult in Tamil country and that Pallavas and Pandyas patronised the bhakti movement (Nayanmars are associated with Shaiva devotion).
A student could use this to check whether Shaiva bhakti communities in the Tamil region developed associated cultural practices (e.g., martial/temple-linked traditions) that might be compared with Kalaripayattu's regional presence.
Notes that local temples became the nucleus of the bhakti movement in south India and that elites and merchant classes patronised it.
One could investigate whether martial arts practices like Kalaripayattu were historically linked to temple institutions or patronage in South India, which would be necessary if claiming they were a bhakti cult practice.
Explains that bhakti traditions included saguna forms focusing on specific deities such as Shiva (Shaivism), showing that bhakti could take sectarian Shaiva forms.
A student could check whether any regional Shaiva (saguna) devotional communities also propagated distinctive ritual-cultural practices that could include martial systems like Kalaripayattu.
Describes Tantric practices influencing Shaivism and being widespread in southern parts, indicating diversity in Shaiva-related ritual and social forms.
One might explore whether tantric-influenced Shaiva groups in the south incorporated physical disciplines or martial training as part of their practices, which could relate to claims about Kalaripayattu.
Defines Shaivism as a bhakti-oriented tradition where Shiva is worshipped and emphasises devotee–deity bonds, showing bhakti frameworks could be centered on Shiva.
A student could use this to justify examining local Shaiva bhakti communities (where Shiva-centred devotion prevailed) for associated cultural practices and continuity into the present where Kalaripayattu exists.
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