Guest Author: Rania Mirabueno

Beyond the nature tours of the Periyer Tiger Reserve near Cardamom County, the cultural scene in Thekkady offers a traditional Kerala martial arts performance called Kalari that I would definitely recommend for everyone to experience. Kalari is truly an art form combining music, dance and performance in the context of martial arts.

What I enjoyed most about Kalari was the diverse audience that attended. Kalari attracted all ages and from all backgrounds. I was able to share a unique moment with the community to see an ancient art form. From dagger to long stick to sword, I was at the edge of my seat the entire hour.

As a concert violinist, I enjoyed the structure of the performance and the interplay between time, sound and movement. The show was structured into short segments with each weapon performed as though I was listening to a movement in a larger symphonic orchestral piece. Kalari artists followed a rhythmic pulse by the tabla or Indian drum and my heart paced alongside the beat and the next move that accompanied it whether a stab, leap or jump.

The attitude of the performers themselves were like musicians because the beginning started with a warm up with each weapon intensifying with difficulty until the final surprise at the end. Just when I believe that the Kalari artists performed the most difficult task of lighting a long stick at both ends and twirling it, I was impressed to find a ring of fire for the Kalari artists to jump through. At the end of the performance we were able to take pictures and experiment with the weapons ourselves and I noticed the children loved this part too. Kalari is truly an experience I will never forget.

About the author: My passion is for equitable design for people and the land. I am working towards a Masters of Landscape Architecture at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. I hold bachelors degrees of Environmental Design and Music Performance.