Sreepathy C.V.N. Kalari

Sreepathy C.V.N. Kalari started at Cheruvandoor near Ettumanoor in 1970 when Kalarippayattu was not very popular in central Travancore. From a humble beginning, he has grown in success and fame over the years. Many renowned persons including former Tourism Minister Ananthkumar, cricket player Anil Kumble and music director Anu Malik have come over here and received treatment. B.B.C and researchers from the U.S.A., Germany, and France come here to study this ancient martial art form. K.G.MURALEEDHARA GURUKKAL A MAESTRO in the field of kalarippayat and kalari medicinal system. Muraleedhara Gurukkal belongs to a family of traditional physicians. His family was honoured by the Samorine of Kozhikkode, king of an erstwhile princely state in India, as one of his forefathers healed the king suffering from acute shoulder pain. He healed The King by merely tying a wet towel around the painful shoulder. Muraleedhara Gurukkal’s grandfather Narayanan Vaidyar migrated to Travancore from Malabar and settled near Kaniyankunnu near Kottayam. Gurukkal learned traditional medicine from his father Govindan Narayanan Vaidyar, who was not only a vaidya but also an astrologer. He practised yoga under Bodhananda Swamikal. He mastered wrestling, kalarippayat, karate, judo, and gymnastics. He is a five-time state wrestling champion and two-time state kalarippayat champion. He won a silver medal in international karate–sparring championship in 1978. Gurukkal learned Tantra from his uncle Ilangulam Sankaran Vaidyar. He learned traditional medicine from his father-in-law Alanatil Kesavan Vaidyar and Sri Saraswathi Vilasam Madhavan Vaidyar. Now he teaches the age-old practices of kalarippayat and Kalari marma chikitsa (a traditional ayurvedic treatment) at Sreepathy CVN Kalari. He is committed to the idea that the science of medicine is meant for the service of humanity and not for one’s proceeds. He says everyone has to practice meditation because it not only increases the healing power in the