C.V.N Kerala Kalari Sangam / Thalassery

Master：C.V.Devadas Gurukkal
Sree Rama Swamy Temple East Nada Thiruvangad Thalassery 670103 Kerala India
Tel:0490-2320030
https://www.facebook.com/cvnkeralakalari/

The Kalari is eastward across a big pond of the famous Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswami temple in Thalassery, so the location of the Kalari will be obvious to anyone. It's just a kilometer away from the city center so you can walk, but the auto is easy.

L: Traditional wooden door, R: Puja for Ganesha God 

C.V.Narayanan Nair Gurukkal who is the "father of restoration" rejuvenated Kalaripayattu into Modern age, constructed this kalari with the name of CVN at first in Kerala in 1926.
Devadas Gurukkal, the grandson of C.V.N. Nair's younger brother, still protects Nair's birth house and the Kalari.

Left: Devadas Gurukkal & his wife, Right: Kizhi treatment

Devadas Gurukkal has devoted himself to the treatment at the time of research in 2007, and his disciple Mr. Vijesh was teaching Kalari lessons. His coaching method was very good and one of the most impressed for my eyes. His personal performance was also very high.

Daily practice scene with Master Vijesh's coachings

After that, Mr. Vijesh took over the role of Gurukkal completely in 2015 and taking management of the Karari at all now.

The outlook of the Kalari 

The first impression of Kalari was pretty good which was built in a very simple setting in the traditional way without any extra decoration.
The local children coming to this Kalari for practice were really rustic and pure. They put on the classic Kerala style loincloth called Kaccha while practicing.
It was an unforgettable time that as long as I was in the Kalari, I forgot everything about the modern world outside and felt like witnessing ancient scenery dating back hundreds of years.

L: Self abhyanga before practice, R: Salutation to Poothara 

L: Cat sitting posture, R: Fish posture 

L: Lion posture, R: Taking a shower from well after practice

As far as seeing Facebook, it seems that Westerners are visiting for practice sometimes even now, but you should contact the Master in advance for detailed information about the acceptance of foreign students.
According to the research in 2007, the foreign trainee could stay at home of Master Devadas, a wooden house of traditional Kerala style that is said to be several hundred years old, with meals cooked by his wife. The total cost of accommodation + Kalari practice was  € 700 at that time.

L: The old house of traditional Karala style, R: Talwar & Urmi Sword

I thought the price with a setting that you can stay in the old folk house of Kerala, receive high-quality lessons, and visit the birth house of the CVN Nair, were pretty good enough.
However, it should be noted that various circumstances such as prices may have changed now. You should ask the newest info directly to Master Vijesh beforehand.

Thalassery, where this Kalari located, is more rustic town than the Kannur already introduced in another page, and the nature of the people living here is kind and friendly.
It is said that a Malayalam newspaper was first launched here in Thalassery, which is also the birthplace of the Communist party of Kerala.
The city Thalassery was a cultural center of the Malabar Coast since ancient times where liberal and advanced people gather.
That's why, the spirit of the C.V.N. Nair Gurukkal was nurtured, and the Kalari was established here.

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