|
Kottukampu - The “Secret” Weapon of Kalari Masters
Author : Mr.R.Venkatachalam
Date : 09/10/2005
Email your comments to : kathinayogi@hotmail.com
In “those days”, when most the present day land of Kerala was different from the modern day highways and concrete jungles, people had to walk long distances to reach their destination. The undulating geography was not suitable for vehicular traffic. Only the richest were able to hire laborers to carry them on palanquins. The canal that connected the various backwaters of Kerala served those who could hire or own country boats. (Many of the old style country boats are now in the new avatar of houseboats.) Most people had to walk and there was no guarantee that they would reach their homes safely. Way laying by bandits and petty thieves to hardcore thugs was the dangers that they had to encounter on their way. The life insurance for them ranged from standard weapons like swords, long staff, knives and daggers. But the most experienced and trained martial artists and may of the aristocratic carried a steel spike with them. The reason to carry this spike was cited as a protection from the mythical blood drinking female demon Yakshi. The Yakshi was said to be afraid of steel and iron so that the presence of a steel spike acted as a deterrent. For ages people from the length and breadth of India have used such implements to deter the evil spirits. What was the real use of these things? Well. It was nothing but the Kottukampu of the kalari system. The myths surrounding everything in India are beyond the comprehension of even we Indians. Those spikes are in fact covert weapons. These were weapons that could be easily carried along and will not attract much attention. Even if some is curios the ready made answer of the demons was ready.
The same thing was used in Tibet as ceremonial dagger, phurbu and elsewhere in the world called as the palm stick or koppo or yawara and may be by some other names. The convenience e of a small weapons that can be concealed and spring a surprise to the attacker and can be easily associated with some mythology, always helped the old timer. Usually reserved for the most trusted and advanced students, the Kottukampu training begins at the 13th year of kalari training. By this time the student would have mastered all other aspects of kalari training and will be ready for this. Again as one advance in age and the body begins to loose some of its strength and speed, the weapons like the Kottukampu comes in handy to face a much younger and stronger opponent. The science of vital points or Marmma is an integral part of Kottukampu. In the Thekkan kalari system the Kottukampu and the Marmma are the most sinister form of offence. Here at the Sudarsana kalari Sanghom we provide the opportunity for the in-depth study of the Kottukampu. For more information click here
|
