Kalarippayat, the revered physical, cultural and
traditional martial art form of Kerala, is
believed to have originated in early 4th century.
The legend has it that Lord Parasurama instituted
this tradition in this land after reclaiming it
from the sea. The name 'Kalari' has been derived
from the Sanskrit word 'Khaloorika',meaning the
place where the art of wielding weapons and physic
is imparted.'Kalari' in common parlance means a
gymnasium and 'payat' means the practice of
wielding weapons and physic in a Kalari.It is the
oldest form of Martial arts.
Silambam Nillaikalakki is a traditional stick
fighting system from South India. Silambam is the
name in Tamil for a practice encountered
throughout the whole South India. It supposedly
comes from Silam or Silambu, meaning hill in
Tamil, and Bamboo, a Marhat word. Hence
Silambamboo, shortened to Silambam, roughly
meaning "Bamboo from the Hills", as sticks were
usually made out of a special kind of filled,
yellow bamboo found there.