Kozhikode · a traditional kuzhi kalari

Learn the oldest fighting art of Kerala, from the ground up.

Kalaripayattu and silambam in a sunken mud-floor kalari, taught by a gurukkal of 30 years. Batches for adults, women and children from seven.

Book a free class See batch timings

First class free
Batches from age 7
Women-only batch
Mud-floor kuzhi kalari

KalaripayattuBody training and stick work

SilambamBeginners and advanced

Juniors and womenWeekend juniors and self-defence

Services

Batches and courses

Monthly fees. Uniform and training sticks provided for beginners.

Beginners

Kolthari stick training

Long and short staff · 3 days

from ₹2,500

Juniors’ batch

Ages 7–16 · weekends

from ₹1,500

New batch

Women’s self-defence

8 sessions · women only

from ₹3,500

All services

Our kalari

A sunken mud floor, an oil lamp at the poothara, and practice at dawn.

Gurukkal Raghavan began training at nine under his uncle in Vadakara. In 2008 he built this kuzhi kalari, four feet below ground with a mud floor, in the traditional way. He still leads the morning batch.

1,100+: students since 2008
30 years: our gurukkal’s practice
6: days a week of training

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Try a class

Book a free trial in any batch.

Join a batch

Pick days and times that suit you.

Train

Progress at the gurukkal’s pace, not the calendar’s.

A self-defence course for women, taught by a woman.

Eight sessions, small batches, no experience needed. The next course starts on the first Saturday of the month.

Book now

Reviews

What customers say

Sample reviews, written for this demo. Real customer reviews replace them on your store.

My son was restless and could not focus. After a year here he wakes at 5.30 for class on his own.

Shameer K. · Chalappuram

I joined at 42 with stiff knees. Gurukkal adjusted every stance until I could do it safely.

Prakash N. · Nadakkavu

The women’s self-defence course was practical and calm. I felt more confident by week two.

Ayisha T. · West Hill

Questions

Before you book

Answers to what customers ask us most. More on the questions page.

Am I too old to start?

Our oldest beginner started at 58. Training is adjusted to your body; tell us about any injuries before the first class.

What age can children join?

From seven. Children under 14 train in the weekend kids’ batch with two teachers.

Is kalaripayattu dangerous?

Training is slow and supervised, with weapons introduced only after the foundation. Minor sprains can happen, as in any sport.

What should I bring?

Water and a small towel. We provide the uniform for beginners. We train barefoot on the mud floor.

Journal

From Chuvadu Kalari Academy

All posts

12 September 2026 · 2 min read

Batch timings on WhatsApp.

New batches, demonstrations and holiday camps, once a month.