to develop strength in the wrists, hands and body core. Kalaripayattu is held in high regard by martial artists due to its long-standing history within Indian martial arts.It is believed to be the oldest surviving martial art in India. The syllabus of Kalaripayattu consists of five different levels. If it's purely for self defence, here is how you can evaluate. Each new level deals with perfecting the previous levels and the introduction of new elements. Continue Reading. You could revolutionize the sport with new stretching techniques. Fitness wise, all three are good arts to learn. Even beginner students are expected to start learning how to do the Mayurasana, handstands etc. Taekwondo relies on strikes, mainly kicks. Kalaripayattu is the oldest existing martial art form and is indigenous to the Southern state of Kerala. Kalaripayattu makes use of yoga techniques and Ayurveda knowledge too. You should open an MMA gym. You can spend twenty years learning Kalaripayattu and yet not learn self defence techniques. There would be a "pre-Kalaripayattu stretching era" and everything after would just be on an insanely different level. Kalaripayattu also known simply as Kalari, is an Indian martial art and fighting style that originated in modern-day Kerala. The ancient art is trying to stay alive, gasping for breath in this modern era. 3. It's all about inner peace and fluid animal movements. That depends on why you need to learn the art. The martial art of Kalaripayattu. But even after completing these levels it takes years of regular practice with dedication, discipline and devotion to master the art of Kalaripayattu. The Tradition of Kalaripayattu. Originally a traditional form of martial art that started in Kerala, Kalaripayattu or kalari is the science of war, treatment and marma therapy believed by the historians to be one of the oldest existing martial arts in the world.