Kalaripayattu of Kerala is considered among the oldest and most scientific martial arts in the world is acknowledged and respected across the world. Kalaripayattu helps to gain mental peace, physical strength and flexibility.
The training begins with an oil massage of the entire body until it is agile and supple. Feats like jumping, running and somersault are also integral parts of the art form.
The primary aim is the ultimate coordination between mind and body. Another focus of Kalaripayattu is specialisation in indigenous medicinal practices. Kalaris are also important centres of religious worship. Once the course is complete, one should engage in oil massage and practice to maintain shape.
Kalaripayattu is the exclusive martial arts legacy of Kerala, taken to China by the Buddhist monks which became the fabled model for the modern martial arts. Kalari means school or arena and payattu is skill training exercise or practice. Buddhist writings show that Kalaripayatt flourished during the 5th century AD.
The founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhi Dharma, had visited the Southernmost part of Kerala, stayed here for a long period of time and learned Kalaripayat.
Bodhi Dharma later went to Shaolin in China and there he taught his disciples Kalaripayattu. All the modern day martial arts such as Kung-Fu, Karate, Judo, Kick-Boxing, Tai-Chi etc are believed to have been originated from Kalaripayattu. Early written evidence of martial arts in Southern India dates back to the Sangam literature of about the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD. 
Kalaripayattu had developed into its present form by the 6th century, during an extended period of warfare between the Cheraand Chola dynasties.
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