The grandmother of India brandishing the Meenakshi AMMA sword is still going strong at 82

An 82 -year -old woman who teaches the former Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu says that she does not intend to retire.

“I will probably practice kalari until my death,” said Meenakshi Raghavan, widely considered the oldest woman in the world to practice the form of art.

Kalaripayattu – Kalari means that Battleground and Payattu mean that the fight – would be at least 3,000 years in the state of southern Kerala and is considered the martial art of India.

It is not only practiced for combat or combat; It also serves to instill discipline, strengthen strength and develop self -defense skills.

Ms. Raghavan is affectionately known as Meenakshi Amma – Amma means mother in the Malayalam language – in the Kerala vadakara, where she lives. The city also houses other renowned representatives of art such as Unniyarcha, Aromal Chekavar and Thacholi Othenan.

Meenakshi Amma sometimes performs in other cities but mainly manages her own Kalari school, founded by her husband in 1950. Her days are occupied, with lessons from five in the morning to noon.

“I teach around 50 students a day. My four children were also trained (in the form of art) by me and my husband. They started to learn six years,” she said.

Kalaripayattu has four steps and it takes patience to learn the art form.

Training begins with the meypattu – an oil massage followed by exercises to condition the body.

After about two years, students progress to Kolthari (stick fights), then to Angathari (weapons fight), and finally to Verumkai – the highest level, involving an unarmed fight. It is generally up to five years to master Kalaripayattu.

Kung Fu would have suitable principles such as breathing techniques and Marmashastra (stimulating vital points to optimize the energy flow) of Kalaripayattu, according to Vinod Kadangal, another Kalari teacher.

Legend has it that around the 6th century, the Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma introduced these techniques to Shaolin monks, influencing the most famous Chinese martial art.

Meenakshi Amma still remembers the first time she entered a Kalari – the red earth arena where art is practiced – 75 years ago.

“I was seven years old and quite good in dance. So my guru – VP Raghavan – approached my father and suggested that I learn Kalaripayattu. Just like dance, the art form forces you to be flexible,” she said.

Originally from the Thiyya community of Kerala, the guru of Meenakshi Amma was 15 years old when he and his brothers opened their own school in Kalaripayattu after being denied admission elsewhere because of their weak social caste.

“There was no bias with regard to girls who register to study Kalari – in fact, physical education was compulsory in all the schools of Kerala at the time. But we had to stop after reaching puberty,” she said.

Unlike the others, Meenakshi’s father Amma encouraged his training in his adolescent girl. At 17, she fell in love with Raghavan, and they quickly got married. Together, they then trained hundreds of students, often for free.

“At the time, many children came from poor families. The only money he (Raghavan) accepted was in the form of Dakshina Or a tribute to the teacher, “she said.

Donations supported school, while Raghavan then took a teacher job for additional income. After his death in 2007, Meenakshi Amma officially took care of.

Although she does not intend to retire for the moment, she hopes to give school one day to her eldest son Sanjeev.

The 62 -year -old man, who is also an instructor at school, says he is fortunate to have learned of the best – his mother. But being his son has no favor; He says she is still her most tough opponent.

Meenakshi Amma is a local celebrity. During our interview, three politicians pass to invite him to a award ceremony.

“Amma, you must honor us with your presence,” said one of them with your hands folded.

“Thank you for considering me, I will attend,” she replied.

Her students speak for her of “fierce admiration”. Many have opened their own Kalari schools through the state, a source of great pride for Meenakshi Amma.

“She is an inspiration for women around the world – a rare person who shows love and affection for his students, but remains a strict disciplinary with regard to Kalari,” said KF Thomas, former student.

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