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 am a Kumaoni, we don't say Namaste , we touch feet.. its the tradition over in my region. I have never seen it in Bengaluru but what amazed me more was the response of the Gurukal. As the student bent to touch the feet, the Gurukal gentle responsive touch to every student which ideally should be to bless was instead to respect the respect given to him, a slight bow, a touch to his heart accepting the respect. I knew that moment, this is the person worthy to be called Gurukal as the name of the academy M Shreedhran Gurukal [MSG] 

Shreyas, a college student and Kalari student for 10 years+ I call him Kalari kid because he was the one I interacted in my first few days and he looks like a kid. I can see the slight touch of Gurukals humbleness within him. He impressed me with his attitude the very first day, the way he carried himself as an instructor before students, his transition to an obedient student before his Gurukal, the way his eyes sparked of mischief handling little kids, the intensity and devotion with which he performed his prayer. I knew he has a personality rare to find these days. And today months later I am right! I am fond of this Kalari kid. 

Back to my first day, he introduced me to Gurukal and with a shocking revelation myself and Gurukal we both were staring at him, he instantly became our interpreter. I need a betel leaf (Pan ka patta) with a dakshina and have to hand over to Gurukal, only after he accepts the leaf with dakshina I can join the class ... So traditional and pure,,, 

Love the vibe very first day!!!

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