Kalari Payattu (Traditional Martial Arts from Kerala)

Situated in Kaladi next to the River Nila is the Kalari School where one can watch the martial arts of kalaripayattu being practised. Known to be the precursor of various martial arts which are now popular in South East Asia such as Karate, Kalaripayattu was once banned by the British to prevent an armed rebellion by the Indians. Even to this day, we can see several weapons used in the Kalari which were thrown into wells and buried deep inside the earth during the British ban.

The Vallabhatta Kalari Academy is just a few kilometers away from the Riverside resort. A classic example of a kuzhi kalari -a sunken arena - kalari payattu, the ancient martial art is taught here by the last descendant of the Muduvangatt family whose head was the commander-in-chief of the royal army of the Vettath Raja. Tracing a lineage of ten centuries, the kalari has managed to keep its traditional grandeur despite the lure of commerce.

Day with the musicians:

Every river has a rhythm. River Nila has the uniqueness of having influenced the percussion based music culture of Kerala. The now popular percussions like Chenda, Thimila, Idakka, Madhalam, Kombu, Kuzhal, Illathaalam, have gained its existing playing style from various schools set on the banks of the river.

The day with the musicians will introduce you to the river culture, its influence on our music and how the above instruments form various symphonies like ‘Pancha Vaadyam, Thaayambaka, Panchaari Melam, Paandimelam. Day with the Musicians is a unique program of being with the families who have been training many generations of musicians. And is a  rare opportunity to see all the musical instruments from Kerala in one place.

Spend time with the students, see how they practice throughout the day and how they master the skills. By the end of the day you are treated to a symphony of all these musical instruments played together. From wind, string to percussion the notes are varied and different. And the experience indelible...

Kalam Varayal: Folk Expressions

A river is more than just water flowing meaninglessly. A river is often the thread that weaves lives and traditions in an ageless manner. A river sustains a civilisation. And when the river is choked, a way of life gets erased. Folk Expression is an attempt to connect the lives of people with the river culture.

The Pulluvar are a traditional people following a rural lifestyle in many parts of Kerala. On the banks of the Nila, they still play the role of holistic healers. They visit village houses on the banks of the river, singing the praises of serpent gods. During festivals like Onam and Vishu, they are gifted with rice, paddy, new clothes and money. Farmers give them a share of their harvest.

Made out of thick bamboo, coconut shell and a particular kind of wild creepers, the Pulluva veena is an accompaniment in all the songs that the male Pulluva sings. There are several stories about the origins of the Pulluva veena. One such legend says that it was gifted to the Pulluvar by Indra, The King of Gods. Most of the songs of the Pulluvar are related to agriculture, serpent worship, rituals and healing.