“My journey with Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art form, began during my formal acting training. While the institute offered Chhau, another captivating folk art, the history of Kalari sparked a deep fascination within me. Believed to be the mother of all martial arts, with Lord Shiva himself teaching it to Lord Parshuram, Kalari’s rich heritage mesmerized me. However, due to professional commitments, I had to postpone learning it.
Last year, the opportunity finally arrived. I went to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. I began training under Shaji Master, a highly experienced Guru with over 30 years of dedication to the art, who despite his acclaim, leads a humble life. Kalaripayattu offered exactly what an actor craves: focus, agility, flexibility, stamina, and unwavering mental and physical strength.
Upon returning to my village in Dhanbad, where Kalari was largely unknown, I embarked on a new mission. I started teaching this art form to village children, free of charge. The joy of introducing Kalari’s philosophy and practice to over 100 children is truly fulfilling.
This passion for Kalari led me to Mokshahum, a retreat center in Kalimpong, West Bengal. There, I had the distinct honor of teaching the son of an army chief. Later, I shared my knowledge with two foreigners from Germany. Sharing Kalari with Germans visiting Mokshahum was equally rewarding. Their dedication to learning was inspiring. They often preferred practice over rest, mesmerized by the art’s history. Our sessions extended beyond Kalari, fostering cultural exchange. We discussed Indian epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, the diverse tapestry of Indian culture, Buddhist and Jain philosophies, while they shared insights into German traditions. We even enjoyed a bonfire with music, celebrating the beauty of cultural exchange.
The impact of Kalari transcended physical limits. It heightened my focus and boosted my overall productivity, ultimately helping me achieve my dream of an ‘acting body.’
A particularly memorable experience was training the army chief’s son, Vihaan. On the last day, his father, rarely seen outside his work commitments, even joined a class initially, though his hectic schedule wouldn’t allow him to continue. The respect he showed by personally visiting me and offering Gurudakshina (a token of gratitude) remains a humbling memory.
The intensity of Kalari training was initially overwhelming. Even senior students, some as young as 10, possessed incredible stamina. They practiced tirelessly, rarely pausing for water. While I couldn’t match their level at first, with time, I found my place within the group. Master Shaji, my exceptional teacher, resembled a real-life Jackie Chan from “The Karate Kid,” employing innovative methods to ensure his students grasped the techniques. His lessons in Kalari transcended the physical, offering valuable tools that I now implement in my acting career and personal life for greater productivity.
Apart from this, my fascination with acting had also drawn me to Hyderabad, where dreams are transformed into reality on the silver screen. The city’s film industry was in the midst of a booming era, with Telugu cinema gaining international recognition for its captivating storytelling and larger-than-life action sequences. I knew I wanted to be a part of this cinematic world, and my journey began with a remarkable opportunity.
While attending auditions, I stumbled upon a unique chance to learn the art of action and reaction, a style of fighting used extensively in the Telugu film industry. This was my chance to master the craft of emoting convincingly during intense fight sequences and gain insights into the behind-the-scenes magic that brought these thrilling moments to life on the big screen. The training was rigorous, demanding unwavering dedication and precision. Under the guidance of seasoned stunt coordinators and martial arts experts like Madhusudhan Chapa, I honed my skills in combat choreography.
My future holds the exciting prospect of excelling as both a Kalari instructor and an actor. Kalari not only keeps my body prepared for acting demands but also provides financial stability, allowing me to pursue my acting career with greater freedom. Currently, I’m working on a film project in Hyderabad, but my passion for Kalari continues.”