Case No. 6
Title: C V N – A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS
Author(s) :
Sudhakaran Gurukal has been giving kalarippayat training to both men and women breaking the geographical barrier. A veteran in kalarippayat and marma treatment claims his success for the scientific design of kalari.
CVN Kalari, Edakkad is one of the most reputed and well known kalarippayattu training and marma treatment centres in the whole of Malabar. CVN is also known for its traditional kuzhikalari. The kalari training is imparted to the students in a calm and serene ambience. This consist of kalari which is constructed in accordance with age old traditional architecture. The traditional requirements include an arena with specific measurements and a roof thatched by plaited coconut leaves.
CVN Kalari is known for its northern style of kalarippayattu which emphasizes the use of weapons. Kalarippayattu is one of the traditional personal combat training schemes in the world which can be started at an early age of seven itself the boys and girls can start the training. Along with kalarippayattu CVN also gives massage and marma treatment.
The visitors to this renowned centre are from different corners of the world like France, England, Spain , Italy, Russia, Iceland, Israel, Portugal, Australia and USA. The foreign students are more during the months of September to December, as during winter the availability of jobs are less abroad.
The students coming from abroad belong to two categories, first category consist of the ones who are interested in martial arts and marma treatment and the second category consist of those who have an intention of starting a martial arts and marma treatment centre abroad. There are also students come here exclusively to acquire knowledge in various martial arts. The students from abroad learn kalaripyattu faster than the regular students. After having their training most of them feel that they have increased their flexibility ,posture and balance. Most of the foreigners acquire training for a time span of one month. The fees includes home cooked food and accommodation also. The foreign tourists come with scholarship from government.
To the foreign students the Gurukkal himself gives the training according to their convenience. Apart from the foreign students, CVN give regular kalarippayattu training in two sessions , one in the morning with 40 students and the other in the evening with 30 students. The customers not only include students but also people suffering from arthritis, joint pain, spondylitis etc. some of the massages given here restores energy reserves of the body, reduces stress, strain and fatigue relieves body aches ,improves complexion and skin texture giving the person a healthy and euphoric feeling.
Sudhakaran Gurukkal is the man behind CVN supported by his family members who are also trained in kalaripayat and marma treatment. They act as an aid to him and assist him to prepare oil for marma treatment. The centre conducts demonstrations on Kalarippayat at venues selected by interested parties and also for Television programmes, Movies, Dancers, Theatre artists, Athletes etc. They also conduct workshop for the benefit of those who are interested to learn the Indian classical dance. The people who are interested have to book the program months ahead. Some of their performance destination includes Italy , USA, Switzerland, France and all over India. The CVN team has performed in various national and international events like Asiad, SAF games, National games, Miss World contest and the latest being the Olympic Torch Light conducted at Delhi.
Some of the awards and recognition received by the centre and the instructor are Best performing arts centre in the state for the year 2003-2004, tourism award winner for Kalari in India and Sudhakaran Gurukal was inducted as the “Instructor of the year” in 2002 by Hall of Fame, USA.
The main problem he is facing is collecting fees from the student, at times they pay only partially.
The tourists in CVN have increased in number and CVN is very positive that they will continue this trend.
