KERALA — A growing number of women are choosing to spend weeks, sometimes months, at Kalari Kendram's residential gurukul in Kerala to learn Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial arts in the world. The school says interest from women has picked up noticeably over the past few years, driven largely by demand for self-defense skills, physical conditioning, and a deeper sense of personal confidence.

Unlike many martial arts programs that separate training by gender or offer modified curricula for women, Kalari Kendram trains everyone through the same four stages: Meithari for body conditioning and flexibility, Kolthari for wooden weapon work, Ankathari for training with metal weapons, and Verumkai, the final stage built around bare-hand combat and knowledge of the body's vital points.

"There is no separate version of this art for women," said a representative of the school. "The training, the discipline, the pace, it's the same path for everyone who walks onto the mat."

The residential setup, located on a mountaintop property near Calicut and bordered by the Kakkaya Dam, allows female students to fully immerse themselves in the gurukul lifestyle, training daily under gurukkal including founder Shinto Mathew and co-founder K.K. Vijayan. Several women who have completed the program in recent months cited the natural surroundings, structured daily routine, and direct mentorship from the gurukkal as reasons the experience felt different from a typical fitness or self-defense class back home.

Kalari Kendram, a residential branch of Kalari Kendram Delhi (established 2006), continues to accept students with no prior martial arts background. The school says women now make up a meaningful share of enrollments across both its short-term retreat and longer residential training tracks.

Those interested in joining can apply through the school's website or contact the team directly for information on upcoming batches, program length, and fees.

Media Contact:

Kalari Kendram
Narinada, Kerala 673526
Phone: +91 7011494948 / +91 9711804975
Website: https://kalarippayattu.com/