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Poothara ....

 I am drawn to Poothara everytime I see it. As per literature, " Poothara is a seven step raised platform with a lotus shaped Kumbha placed in the apex. कुंभ  represents माँ भगवती . The seven steps represents basic body elements of the Physical body अन्नमाया कोश with seven doshas रस, रक्त, मांस, मेद, अस्थि, मज्जा, शुक्र" https://www.ayurvedakendra.in/discover-ayurveda/the-theory-of-ayurveda/saptadhatu-7-essential-body-tissues/ R asa Dhatu:  Plasma/lymph fluid Rakta Dhatu:  Blood Mamsa Dhatu:  Muscles Meda Dhatu:  Fat Asthi Dhatu:  Bone Majja Dhatu:  Bone marrow Shukra Dhatu:  Reproductive fluid or Semen रस धातु (प्लाज्मा):  यह धातु शरीर-प्लाज्मा तरल पदार्थों का परिवहनकर्ता है और अन्य सभी धातुओं को पोषण प्रदान करता है। रस धातु कफ दोष द्वारा समर्थित है रक्त धातु (रक्त):  यह धातु जीवन का आधार है और शरीर के सभी ऊतकों और कोशिकाओं को पोषण प्रदान करती है। यह शरीर को ताकत और रक्त को रंग भी प्रदान करती है। रक्त धातु को पित्त दोष द्वारा समर्थ...
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Vandanam or Kalari Thozhuth

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                                                                                     कळरि वंदना "Start your day by invoking the God within you and around you" a favorite saying of my great grand father, an astrologer and a learned man of his time in the remote hills of Kumaon.  He instilled within his next generations the value of disciplines or niyams, most of them getting skipped with every next generation. I barely lit a Deepam near Tulsi any day and here I am learning the basics of Vandanam again Kalari Vandanam or as my trainer says Kalari Thozhuth  (zh is ल with a twist) is an integral part before we can start practice. Its a sequence of movements paired with breathing techniques in front of Poothara and Guruthara. ...
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The begining...

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While Kalari becomes the body, the Kalari student becomes the soul of Kalari After joining the class I said to someone I practice Kalarippayattu, only to realize later that weekend in Malayalam "Kalari" is the place of practice and "Payattu" is "Practice". It happens when you  try to speak a language you don't know!!! Well I entered the class.. the temple, the practice place,,,, THE KALARI, a bit modern not the one in 4ft of mud with millions of ayurvedic herbs mixed in it, but one on the 3rd floor above a gym with rubber mats. I cant figure out my Kalari is Anga (52*26 ft) or Kuzhi (42*21 ft) or Taravattu (32*16 ft) or Pratistha (18*9 ft) so believed it to be Kuzhi kalari meant for normal practice. I am more than satisfied to be able to learn it in an urban setup, I wish to learn the theory in future. Our temple is not worshipped everyday with lamps and flowers, but we do have Poothara, and Guruthara and before our prayer our coach lit a dhoopam. We s...
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First sight

My experience with the word Kalari was limited to Kamal Hassan and Vidyut Jamwal on screen performance. Knowing not a single word of Malayalam (not even Kanadda) I made up my mind. Age is just a number is something I heard a lot, but deep down I am aware Age is a Number when you want to learn the traditional martial art itself developed by legendary Guru Parashuram.  I googled the class location, Reached 10 minutes before class, didnt find any soul in that building. The board stated the class will be on roof top (3rd floor). I called the number on the google maps and was informed please wait we will reach exactly on time. And the class was opened sharp 7:30 am on Sunday morning. I was asked to sit aside and wait. Students of all age group from 4 to 35 start entering. There was a routine to enter and then prayer followed with the warm up. An elderly person came 15 minutes later and everyone finished their routine and came to touch his feet. He is the Gurukal, the teacher of all. I ...
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