Indian sword-wielding grandmother is still strong, reaching 82

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Indian sword-wielding grandmother is still strong, reaching 82

Meenakshi Raghavan A woman wearing an orange sari stands with brass shield and sword — Meenakshi Raghavan probably is the oldest woman in the world, Professor Kalaripayattu

An 82-year-old woman who teaches ancient Indian martial arts said she had no plans to retire.

“I might practice Kalari until I die,” said Meenakshi Raghavan, who is considered the oldest female practice art form in the world.

Kalaripayattu – Kalari 3000 years ago In southern Kerala, it is considered the oldest martial arts in India.

It is not only used for combat or combat; it can also instill discipline, build strength and develop self-defense skills.

Ms. Raghavan is known as Meenakshi Amma – the mother of Amma in the language of Malayalam where Vadakara lives in Kerala. The town is also home to other famous art indexes such as Unniyarcha, Aromali Chekavar and Thacholi Otheran.

Meenakshi Amma occasionally performs in other cities, but mainly runs her own Kalari school, founded by her husband in 1950. Her days are very busy, from five in the morning to noon, and she attends class.

“I teach about 50 students a day. My four children are also trained [in the art form] My husband and I. They started learning at the age of six. ” she said.

Meenakshi Amma occasionally performs in other cities but mainly runs the Kalari school

Meenakshi Raghavan woman in red sari doing Indian martial arts with rope-like objects. In the background is an open-air auditorium and stage lights. — Meenakshi Amma occasionally performs in other cities but mainly runs the Kalari school

Kalaripayattu has four stages and requires patience to learn art forms.

Training begins with Meypattu – oil massage, followed by exercise to regulate the body.

About two years later, the students headed to Korsari (Stick Fighting), then entered angathari (Weapon Fighting), and finally to Verumkai (Verumkai at the highest level), involving unarmed battles. It usually takes five years for the master Kalaripayattu.

According to another Kalari teacher, Vinod Kadangal, Kung Fu is considered to have adaptive principles such as breathing techniques and Marmashastra (stimulating crucial points of view to optimize energy flow).

Legend has it that in the 6th century, Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma introduced these techniques to Shaolin monks, which influenced more famous Chinese martial arts.

Meenakshi Amma still recalls her first step into Kalari – the clay arena where art practices – 75 years ago.

She said: “I am seven years old and good at dancing. So my guru-VP Raghavan approached my father and suggested that I study kalaripayattu. Just like dancing, the art form requires you to be flexible.”

Meenakshi Amma’s Guru (Meenakshi Amma) paid tribute from the Thiyya community in Kerala when he and his brothers opened their own Kalaripayattu school after being denied admission for their lower social caste.

Her days are very busy, from five in the morning to lunch

Meenakshi Raghavan, a woman in a red sari, practiced Indian martial arts, wearing a white T-shirt and a man with black tied around his waist. They both held the sticks with both hands. In the background is an open-air auditorium and stage lights. — Her days are very busy, from five in the morning to lunch

“When it comes to girls who study Karari, there is no prejudice – in fact, all Kerala schools at the time were mandatory. However, at that time we were expected to stop after getting puberty.”

Unlike others, Meenakshi Amma’s father encouraged her to train in her late teenage years. At 17, she fell in love with Raghavan and they got married soon. Together they go to train hundreds of students, usually for free.

“At that time, a lot of children came from poor families. His only money [Raghavan] What is accepted is Dakshina Or pay tribute to the teacher. ” she said.

Donations maintained the school, while Raghavan later worked in teaching for additional income. Meenakshi Amma is officially in charge after her death in 2007.

Although she has no plans to retire at the moment, she hopes to hand over the school to her eldest son, Sanjeev one day.

The 62-year-old, who is also a lecturer at the school, said he was lucky to learn from his best mother. But being her son is not any good. He said she was still his toughest opponent.

Meenakshi Amma is a local celebrity. In our interview, three politicians invited her to the awards ceremony.

One of the folded hands said, “Ama, you must tolerate us with your existence.”

She replied, “Thank you for thinking about me, I will attend.”

Her students said “hard admiration” to her. Many have opened their own Karari schools across the state, which is a great pride for Meenakshi Amma.

“She is the inspiration for women around the world – a rare person shows love and affection for her students, but remains a strict discipline when it comes to Kalari,” said former student KF Thomas.

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