Shree CV Narayanan Nair

Veera Shree CV Narayanan Nair - The Invincible Hero of Kalari Art

Those who love martial arts through out world must be familiar of the combination of these three letters. Kalari the mother of all martial arts was literally picked up from oblivion only by the sheer dedication of this man who is known in these letters “CVN”.

The full name of “CVN” was C.V.Narayanan Nair of Chambadan house. Born on December 23 1905 (Vishakham star in the month of Dhanu) in Thalassery of Kannur district which is still famous for its dare devil heroes who crown the pages of Kerala history. CVN was the fourth son of Sri Chittarathu Othayathu Veettil Kunhunni Nambiar and Smt Chambadan Veettil Savithri Amma. When December 23 of 2005 just passed by only a few who were associated with the art of Kalari did notice the significance of that day, that it was the birth centenary of a great man who sacrificed his life for the resuscitation of an art which was once breathing its last by the suppression under the British colonial rule.

But the significance of that day, though did not make much waves in this land, it was commemorated by his disciples world over with affection. The wide spread establishment –The CVN kalari, standing testimony to the vision of CVN- is the real memorial for this man who dedicated his life to the progress of this art and reaching the message to the entire world . The “National Geographic Channel” which has a reputation for its original and class contents, came in search of his native land and recorded the creative activities which are going on in the brain child of CVN- “CVN Kalari”. They had to display the program repeatedly for several months bowing to the insistence of their viewers all over the seven continents.

Childhood

In those times matrilineal system was prevailing in this part of the land, it was his uncle Sri Anandan Nambiar who was the Karnavar (senior member) of the Joint family, a karnavar of a joint family was like a king of his country. No member could do anything of importance without the consent of the karnavar. Narayanan’s mother Savithri Amma (who was also called Ammu Amma) gave birth to five children of which the elder two were daughters. The three younger boys were Karunakaran Nair, Narayanan Nair and Balan Nair respectively. Savithri Amma had a dominant personality she decided how to bring up her children, and her voice in this regard was final.

Savithri Amma was an expert in playing “veena” (an indian string instrment) and both of her daughters could acquire that talent from her. Her sons also were blessed with artistic talents, and these three boys who always moved together were called as “thrimurthis” (The thrimurthi concept in Indian mythology denotes the three gods mainly Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, Gods in charge of creation, up keeping and destruction) Karunakaran Nair the eldest was well versed in drama, music, poetry, playing flute etc, while Narayanan Nair though had aptitude in drawings, his full dedication was towards physical exercises and kalari.

The youngest Balan Nair was a good organizer, an artist and a photographer. His approach to kalari was observation and research based. It was he who helped Narayanan in building a net work of kalaris for the popularisation of this martial art, as well as imparting the healing aspect (“kalari chikitsa”) of kalari in the institutes (CVN kalaris). For the present status and reputation, the CVN kalaris are highly indebted to the organizational abilities of Sri Balan Nair. Balan Nair acted as the right hand of CVN in building an establishment dedicated to the progress of an art, that is the only martial art of which Kerala can feel proud of.

Balan Nair had the reading habit from early child hood. The heroes of Indian history and Indian mythology were his icons of worship. A picture of shivaji (a great hero of Indian history who fought the Mugal Empire) was hung in the wall of his room. He kept the picture of “vijaya mata” (a goddess who wielded sword and shield) and Vishnu sahasranama (a book containing one the thousand adjecives of Lord Maha Vishnu) under the pillow.

Beginning of Kalari Education

It was his brothers in law who discovered the exceptional kalari performer in him and made arrangements to impart him training in kalari. His mother was also given information of the advantages. Sri Appan Nair his brother in law was an expert in “Kadathanadan style” of kalari, “gaja shastra” (science regarding elephants), wrestling, Kathakali, Tennis, horse riding etc. At that time kalari learning was banned by the then ruling British Government. Hence finding a guru was a difficult task.

Reason behind the ban was that the then king of Thalassery Sri Pazhassi Raja who gave sleepless nights to the British Empire with his army of tribals who were well versed in the art of kalari and using of bows and arrows. The insurgency led by Pazhassi Raja made the British to think that the training in martial arts can cause insurgency every where. The enquiries made by Appan Nair and Govindan Nair (both his brothers in law) zeroed in Sri Kottakkal Kanaran Gurukkal. The gurukkal was brought in to the Champadan house and allowed to stay in the house. (That time a man of lower community staying in the house of a higher community house was taboo), and this action of allowing Kanaran gurukkal to stay in was nothing less than a social revolution. (Later when CVN started his own kalari the disciples were of all communities and the distinction of caste was not at all observed by him. The objections in this regard were not taken in to account and ignored with contempt it deserved.)

Sri Kanaran gurukkal was a native of Mukkali near Badagara and he belonged to the “kadathanadan” kalari style. Even in old age Sri Kanaran excelled in his techniques and body movements. There are no details of who his guru was. Sri Kanaran was a chronic bachelor and his entire life was dedicated to the martial art and its progress. He used to teach a unique fighting style by mixing the various techniques locally available with the “Arappakkayyan” style (in which he was at home) thereby forming a unique fighting method. The family details of the great guru also are not available. It is known that Champat Kunhikannan a well known kalari guru was one of his early disciples. Sri CVNarayanan Nair started learning kalari at Punnol kalari under Kanaran gurukkal. The extreme dedication CVN showed to the art made him the darling of the guru. Within the first year of training itself he mastered the seven methods of body fight (Mei payattu) and the fights using “kettukari” and “cheruvadi” (baton). The Cheruvadi (baton) was his favorite weapon and he could excel a magician when it came to baton fight. (It is said that before seven days of his death CVN called one of his disciples and expressed his desire to have fight with baton. That disciple is now senior guru of Palakkad CVN kalari, Sri K.Narayanan Nair.)

Sri CV Narayanan had a habit of performing the techniques he learned at the kalari, on the courtyard of his house, that day itself. It is this habit that made him to master any technique however difficult it was. The excellence of his performance was greatly indebted to this daily practice An old saying in Malayalam means that one who daily practice can lift an elephant! (nithyabhyasi anaye pokkum). The initial training of CVN was at Punnol kalari. At that times kalaris functioned during rainy season only. During these six months, physical training, training in fighting styles (payattu), “uzhichil” (a sort of massage) etc were imparted to students.

At the time when kalaris close for vacation a special function by name “chuvadu mattom” was held. In that function all the local public would be invited and the students perform the lessons they have learned so far. After this function generally classes are not held in the kalaris but those students who are seeing kalari seriously alone will stay to gain extraordinary skills. In Punnol kalari it was CVN who stayed after the “chuvadu mattom” as he took the art so seriously. Later the training was shifted to the courtyard of his home at Thirvangad. The ardent desire to learn every aspects of kalari on the part of the disciple and the affection of a guru to impart all he knew to the disciple the other side worked in tandem, thus giving birth to a great genius in the field of kalari.

It was and is still a custom that before beginning of the training and before for all “chuvadumattom” ceremonies a presentation (a gift containing cash and pan (traditional materials chewed by old people of India) known as guru-dakshina)had to be given to the gurukkal. Kanaran gurukkal though whole hearted in imparting training was particular that the present to the guru as a custom was the right of the guru. CVN was liberal in enclosing as much cash in the gift as he was of opinion that the gurus deserve much more than what was customarily given. His mother had to shell out all what she can garner for this periodical ritual. The mother and son were of opinion that education should only be gained by satisfying the guru. However the liberal dakshinas worked a catalyst in speeding up the process of education.

Kanaran gurukkal built anothe kalari nearby the Chambadan house. There CVN was lucky enough to get a classmate by name Mankkoth Ramunni Nair who later gained fame as Kerala’s number one satirist in the pen name “Sanjayan”. Another classmate of that kalari Sri Anandan Nair later became the disciple of CVN and they both acted as a very famous team for the kalari stage shows held throughout the state. As time passed CVN gained the status of Kanaran gurukkal’s best disciple and he became eligible to be taught of the secret and very dangerous techniques of the kalari practices. Kanaran gurukkal was liberal in showering all secret techniques to his dear student. (These techniques are generally not taught to ordinary students and often such techniques die off with the death of the guru, who alone knew about these. Such a system of keeping them secret was meant to prevent the danger of such techniques falling in to the hands of undesirable elements.

In 1926 when CVN was at the age of 21 Kanaran gurukkal started conducting kalari stage shows with his participation. One Thangal of Mattannur who was a feudal land lord happened to see their show, he was so impressed that he requested them to start a kalari at Mattannur. The demand of the land lord was immediately consented by the guru. Further training of CVN thus happened to be at Mattannur. It is there he gained advanced training in “kolthari” (baton fight) and “angathari” (fight using weapons like knife, sword, churika (A flexible and dangerous weapon), spear, Club (gadha) etc.

Of all the weapons “ottakkol” (single stick-a baton) that is considered most superior though it seems the simplest of them all. The simplicity of the weapon should complemented by he efficiency of the user. The fighting techniques using this baton in kalari is something that is not found in any other form of martial arts. The use of ottakkol training is must to a student to gain perfection. As it targets the vital parts (marmam) of the opponent, the ottakkol can be more deadly than any other weapon. There are techniques in ottakkol fight to disarm and binding up the opponents. When there are only 12 techniques applicable to other weapons, there are 18 techniques available for the user of an ottakkol fighter.

A fighter who has learned the 18 fighting techniques (these in kalari are known as “adavukal”plural. -singular= “adavu”) is considered a master and he earns respect from the people. An ottakkol is considered as an extension of the hand and techniques like “neettu, vettu, thangu, thattu, poottu etc are the most important techniques. There are certain steps and techniques which are not ethical in pure kalari (which are known as kallachuvadu and kallkkol), at times these are used by fighters when confronted be defeat. An expert in kalari can foresee these surreptitious moves and come out victorious defeating such moves. One day while the guru was giving baton training to CVN the baton in the hand of the guru got shot off from his hand. Filled with wonder of the guru asked CVN to repeat the fight, next time also the same thing happened.

The guru was wonder struck and asked CVN whether what technique he had applied, the reply of the disciple was that “please feel no ill will, yesterday night while going to sleep I happened to think of a technique and just experimented it” The guru was so pleased with the disciple he placed both hands on the head of the disciple and blessed him “Narayanan I really feel proud of You, You will shine as a star” CVN could complete his entire studies at the Mattannur kalari, there he could study the most secretive techniques of the kalari by name “marma vidya” (understanding and striking at the vital organs of the opponent), techniques to defeat the opponent in split seconds. Thus CVN got groomed in to a full fledged guru.

In 1928 the kalari at Mattannur was wound up and guru and disciple returned to Thalassery. There, bowing to the request of the local people they were planning to start a kalari in Thalassery. By that time the fame of CVN spread like wild fire throughout Kerala and “The Theosophical Society of India” which was going to set up a branch at Thalassery approached him. The Society was beginning an institution at Thiruvangad to teach classical dance, as physical mobility was essential to perfect the art of dance they thought of appointing a kalari artist also. They approached Kanaran gurukkal with this request and the guru directed CVN to do the job.

An institution for teaching kalari in scientific way was thus got its origin at Thalassery. This institute was just opposite to the Thiruvangad Sri Krishna Swami temple. Narayanan Nair who was a devotee of Sri Hanuman was delighted to teach in a place in the vicinity of a temple were the idol of Hanuman was worshipped (Hanuman is considered the god of martial arts throughout India)

It is in front of this temple Kanaran guru groomed CVN in to a full fledged guru.

All the pupils who get enrolled in kalari do not become experts in the art; most of them just drop out after learning one or two steps. Some of them who are dedicated to the art alone complete the training. Among them a few continue learning and performing thus contributing to the art they love. The following are some of the names of kalari artists who studied under CVN and continued to be his comrades all through. They were Anandan Nair, Kumaran gurukkal, Arangassery Narayanan Nair, Appu Nambiar, Kelu Nair, Ravunni gurukkal, Gopalan Gurukkal and Sanjayan. At that time for training steel swords were replaced by wooden substitutes and shields were made of matted canes as there were ban imposed by the ruling British on using real weapons.

Proceeding for “Thulunadu” (the present Karnataka) for higher studies in martial arts was common at that time. There are references in this regard in the folklores by name “Vadakkan Pattukal” (meaning northern songs) CVN along with one Gopalan Adiyodi proceeded to a kalari led by Sri Chembolior a famous martial artist of Thulunad at that time. Chembolior made some preliminary enquiries, knowing that the boys were the disciples of Kanaran gurukkal he admitted them for training. Chembolior asked the new comers to apply oil on their body. (Applying oil on body prior to exercise is a must). A brass plate with oil was placed there and the boys poured some in their hands and started applying it on their body. Then Chembolior laughed and called a girl student and asked her to show these boys how oil is applied.

That girl poured some oil on the palm of her foot and started applying it on her entire body by the foot itself without using her hand for the purpose. Seeing the prime example of body flexibility the boys were wonder struck. It was their first lesson that body flexibility is the first requirement of a kalari artist. Chemboli started teaching these new students. That was a real higher education for them, after teaching “mei payattu” (physical fight) and “otta payattu” (fight using stick) the real fight using swords and sheilds by name “puliyankam” (tiger fight) was taught. CVN could deeply study the commentary (vai thari) as well as application methods of the tiger fight. He learned all the intricacies related to the “Thulunadan style” and returned to his native land to continue his role as the gurukkal at Thirvangad kalari. In 1929 at the age of 24 CVN married Smt Devaki Amma of Katrampally Tharavadu. He could continue family life along with the role gurukkal.

In 1930 CVN along with well wishers organized a “kalari sangam” with head quarters as Thiruvangad for the popularization of kalari. Mattannur Thangal (the land lord who formally arranged a kalari at Mattannur) was its president and Manjunatha Rao secretary. Sri Muttungal Kumaran acted as the joint secretary. In the meeting of the kalari sangham CVN expressed his intension to take the art of kalari out of the four walls of limitations and to make it an internationally recognized form of martial art. His vision was to give kalari its due place as a great sport. Their action plan included in present the infinite possibilities of this enchanting martial art in stages so that ordinary people could appreciate it and they will gradually get ready to send their wards for kalari training.

So far kalari was exhibited before feudal land lords and invited VIPs, for whom it was just a time pass and nothing else. Though CVN’s attempts were resounding success at that time, kalari stage shows became a crowd puller and many public programs used its charm to attract public. (After him many bad elements sneaked in this field thereby tarnishing the reputation of the art). Their first stage show was held in connection with National Congress meeting held at Narangappuram in Thalassery. The success of the show was far more than what was expected, invitations flooded before the “kalari sangham” for further shows and for establishing kalaris at various places. As a result kalaris were established in Koothu parampu, Kathirur, Mattannur, Nuchinkal etc of the adjacent areas and in distant places such as Kozhikode, Koilandy, Thrissur, Thruthala, Cherpulassery.

One day a notice was received in the Thiruvangad kalari sangam, that there will a kalari stage show to be held in connection with the “chuvadu mattom” (a show after completion of a course in kalari) of Sri Attingal Kunhomana panikkar. It was also notified that several famous kalari gurukkal will be taking part in the ceremony which would be held at Payyoli (it may be recalled that Payyoli is the native place of Olympian PT Usha).

With due permission from their guru Sri Kanaran, CVN and his classmates arrived early for the occasion and occupied front seats. The performances were not impressive for these young experts; they approached Sri Kunhomana Panikker for permission for their performance. Sri Kunhomana Panikker after enquiring their details admitted their request as he knew the virtues of their guru Sri Kanaran. Pankker proceeded and led Sri Kanaran to the stage. The performance of CVN and his friends was astounding and the entire crowd applauded it and requested to perform again with “once more” 9calls as it is usual in all stage shows) Finally CVN alone came to the stage. there stood a mango tree with a branch of about twelve feet height. CVN flew high and with a kick blew it away! The entire crowd was wonder struck as they did never see such a performance.

The district sub collector who chaired the function praised CVN for his brilliant performance; Sri Panikker blessed him and advised him to visit him on one occasion so that he would teach him certain secret techniques in the art. Sri Panikker kept his word he taught CVN all the techniques he knew as assured. At the age 78 Kanaran gurukkal had begun to show the symptoms of old age and he went on retirement. At the time of departure he blessed CVN and said “You will never taste a defeat where ever you are”. Kanaran gurukkal breathed his last without much delay having completed his mission of grooming one shining star to the horizon of kalari.

To the Peak of Fame

“The Thiruvangad Kerala Kalari Sangham” participated in a kalari stage show conducted in connection with “Khadi Swadeshi Exhibition” held at Kozhikode and came out with flying colors. That was just the beginning several invitations flooded CVN and his disciples. They conducted a two hour stage show at Palakkadu. There the chairman of the function was one Jayaram the collector of Palakkadu. Sri Jayaram was a national of Sri Lanka and he was well versed in a special fighting method called “adi-thada’ (strike and block) which was prevalent in Tamilnadu. Sri Jayaram congratulated and asked CVN whether he could block his strikes! CVN was only happy to accept the challenge. As the crowd looked in bewilderment the Collector started beating CVN with his walking stick.

Not even a single strike touched the skin of CVN as he could easily block all with a small baton (chervadi). The collector was very much pleased with CVN and gave him many presents. After Palakkadu the stage was at hill palace where CVN had to perform kalari stage show as per the invitation of the queen of Kochi. Maharaja of Goekwad was the chief guest and all the members of the Kochi royal family, the Divan; all the feudal kings etc were assembled. There the show involving the deadly weapons like Urumi, spear, were used in its utmost speed. The spectators were spell bound! The puliyankam CVN learned at Thulunadu was so ferocious that the queen stood up called the gods in terror forgetting what was happening

After the show the queen praised CVN a lot and awarded him the title of “Veera Shree” presenting the title the queen said “Your performance made me filled with wonder, you equal the mythological heroes whom we have only read and heard, here after you will be known as Veera Shree CV Narayanan Nair”. CVN never forgot the motto of his guru of spreading the kalari art to the entire world. He started working for tour programs covering entire India. Stage shows were proposed to conduct all over Kerala. The first step was to collect money for the trip. It was Sri Nettur Damodaran who was in charge of the stage show management.. Sri Damodaran later became a Member of Parliament and he has recorded these things in his auto biography by name “Orma churulukal” (unfolding of memories).

The All India Show

The first show was held in Ramavarma theatre at Thrissur the organizing power of Sri Nettur Damodaran made this a great success. One of the spectators was Sri Joseph Mundassery (who later became the education minister of Kerala). More programs were conducted in towns like Ernakulam, Vaikam, Kottayam, Pala, Chengannur, Thiruvananthapuram etc. One of the shows was held at Thiruvananthapuram, that time it was Sri Chithira Thirunal who ruled Travancore and Sir CP Ramaswamy Iyer was the divan. The show was held at the famous auditorium VJT hall and Sir CP was present for the show. The spectators got spell bound by the show and it was for the first time people of Travancore seeing such a terrific kalari show. The well known advocate of that time Sri Mallur Govinda Pillay who happened to see the show, and it is said that he occasionally talked high of the kalari techniques he saw there.

Later a show was held at Kowdiar palace at Thiruvananthapuram for the royal family to see. All the members of the family including son in law of the king Col.Godavarma Raja were present on the occasion. After many years when Govindankutty Nair son of CVN planned to establish a kalari at Thiruvananthapuram, Colonel Godavarma Raja (husband of Smt Karthikathirunal Thampuratty of the Travancore royal family) was there to help him for the establishment of the kalari as well as its functioning. It has to be mentioned that Col. Godavarma Raja was a good sportsman.

In November 3of 1936 a meeting was held in Nuchikkad kalari under the chairmanship of Sri H. Manjunatha Rao and stressed to speed up the Indian tour programs. CVN was selected as the director of the troop and he was entrusted with the job selecting a fifteen member team for the shows. The first show was held in Mangalore and several performances were staged in different parts in Karnataka. The team then returned to Kerala and conducted many stage shows. In these long tours he had to face some challenges from local martial artists but no one could defeat him. The performances held outside Kerala earned him fame not only throughout Kerala but all over India. It is said that had his birth would have taken place in America of Japan he would have become an internationally known star in the field of martial arts.

A Tour to Sri Lanka

In 1937 CVN and his team got an invitation to conduct a tour program in Sri Lanka. It was his first journey crossing the sea. The programs were scheduled to coincide with the tour of Queen Elizabeth of the British Empire. It was such a grand ceremony and the spectator was no ordinary personality, her empire never witnessed a sunset. At that time, a chance to get an opportunity for a performance at that occasion itself was a golden one. The team from Kerala was in its level best. They took all stocks off their sleeves. Kettukari, Cheruvadi, Otta, Gadha, etc were all used to stun the spectators and the final was the Puliyankam (tiger fight) CVN and his disciple Anandan Nair were the fighters and they entered the stage with sword and shield.

In the stage coir mat was spread on the floor but its four ends were not fixed to the floor. While CVN wielding sword and shield was engaged in the “kudhichu chadi” (springing like a tiger) the great power applied on his feet while springing up, made the mat skid and while trying not to fall, the edge of his shield struck on just below his breast. The strike was at a vital part (sthana moola marmam), which made him faint for second. Within split seconds he woke up and continued the fight. Queen Elizabeth congratulated CVN for his great performance and presented him with a sword as a mark of honor. (Later before his death CVN presented this sword to his disciple Sri Kumaran gurukkal of Kozhikode. Sri Kumaran gurukkal keeps this as a treasure). CVN was given a warm welcome when he returned from Sri Lanka and he continued his martial art training as usual ignoring the injury inflicted. He signed agreement to perform stage shows at various parts Travancore with one Sri Kunjachan and continued his performances as usual.

There are records available to show that he got an offer from the Tamil film industry for training kalari to film actors. The salary offered was Rs. 125 with daily bata of Rs.25. The offer was not accepted as CVN did not prefer to be chained in an employment. By 1940 his health was seen declining and had to avoid stage shows. CVN could not accept the offer from Mysore University to perform two day’s kalari stage show at Bangalore. The injury that occurred when at Sri Lanka was gradually having its effects on his health. But he was fully engaged in training students in Thiruvangad and adjacent areas and starting kalaris in Kozhikode and other areas. For the management of these kalaris CVN deputed deserving personalities from the list of his disciples. This was an apt decision the lamps of numerous kalaris he had lighted keep on radiating light ever since.

Suffers from Ill health

In 1944 at a show held at Koilandy CVN participated ignoring his health. He also ignored the suggestions of his disciples in this regard and while performing “otta” (his favorite item of fight using only single stick) CVN had some severe breathing difficulties and had to discontinue the performance. He left the stage in tears. That was his stage performance. CVN returned Thalassery and lived there engaged in Kalari treatment and taking rest. There CVN was aware that he has not got much time left and he was engaged in transferring all the knowledge he had acquired so far to his brother classmate as well as his disciple Sri Balan Nair.

The top secrets involved in “kalari chikitsa” (healing techniques in kalari) were also included in this information which was imparted. By 1944 CVN could sense his end was near and he called Muttungal Kumaran and gave him necessary instructions regarding the popularization of the art of kalari. The Thiruvangad kalari his brainchild was given away to his disciple Appu Nambiar. His last words found written in a slip were “sent telegram to Kozikode, inform al my disciples, don’t tell it now to Anandan and Kunhanandan, inform “Mathrubhoomi” office)

Later he got a box taken by his wife and gave it to Balan Nair (this box contained all invaluable documents related to kalari) giving it to Sri Balan Nair he asked him to help in his children’s education. CVN breathed his last in 27th June 1944 at the young age of 39. CVN was the ultimate in the art of kalari and the contribution he has made to lift it to a world recognized martial art is nothing short of a miracle.

After CVN

This story will not be complete unless a brief history of kalari is mentioned in the post CVN era, as this is closely related to his associates and his family members. CVN had six children in his first wife Devakamma, they were Govindankutty Nair, Sreedharan Nair, Lakshmibai, Ramadasan, Gopalakrishnan, and Rajagopal. In his second wife (at that time polygamy was common) in the second wife Chinnammu amma he had two children they were Janardhanan and Vijayan.

Mantle Falls On The Younger Brother

As CVN died early Balan Nair his younger brother had to take charge of the entire affairs Children were small and had to be educated; CVN’s mission of spreading kalari has to be fulfilled. At the time of CVN’s death Balan Nair was drawing teacher at govt. Brunnen School. He also conducted an arts school by name Kerala School of Arts. Balan Nair took charge of kalari, the name of the institution got changed to “Kerala Kalari Sangham Thalassery (in memory of Veera Shree CV Narayanan Nair”) and the establishment got registered in 1947. Its president was Sri V. Balagangadhara Menon (he was the then Municipal Commissioner) and Secretary Sri CV Balan Nair and Asst. Secy. Sri E. Damodaran.

Of the people who stood along with Sri Balan Nair and worked hard to build Kalaris throughout Kerala, the prominent personalities were Kumaran gurukkal, Gopalan gurukkal, Ayyappan Pillay, etc. from Kozhikode and Arangassery Narayanan Nair from Thaliparamba, Sri Vasavan gurukkal from Thalassery, Sri K.Narayanan Nair (now conducting kalari at Palakkadu). Balan Nair imparted kalari training (both fighting and healing) to the sons of CVN One of them (Sri Govindan Nair) had built kalaris in various locations, later built a permanent kalari at Thiruvananthapuram. Sri Govindan Nair is not alive today. The other one Sri Sreedharan Nair went to Kotkatta in search of job, later started a kalari there and got settled there with kalari training and kalari (chikitsa) healing.

Sri Ramdas an artist was working for an advertising company as the director now leads a retired life at Coimbaathur. Sri Gopalakrishnan who had excellent physical prowess reached in the field of gymnastics, he was trained in ‘Institute of Sports Patiala” and worked as coach in Madhura University, now leads a retired life at Mukkali near Badagara. The last son Sri Rajagopal was an artist and graphic designer had a studio at Bangalore is now solely at kalari Chikitsa (healing) field. The son in law of CVN (who married his daughter Smt Lakshmibai) Sri P.Balakrishnan was an employee of the Secretariat at Thiruvananthapuram; he now leads a retired life at Thiruvananthapuram. Sri P. Balakrishnan has authored a book in Malayalam about kalari in the name “Kalarippayattu” which is a research based book explaining the technical aspects and history of kalari. (This book has been published in English also)

Only the future can tell the about the success CVN had achieved in lifting kalari to the position equal to that of other martial arts. His life was hundred percent dedicated for the keeping up of the status of kalari and spreading its message to the people all over the world. CVN was dead against adulterating its pristine and original style how much be the financial gains it could bring. Among his sons Govindankutty Nair alone stayed in the field. He has got disciples all over the world. Govindankutty Nair was focused in his aim. He never went for anything else but followed the footsteps of CVN and Balan Nair. This type of focused approach has brought him rich dividends. The kalari he has established in Thiruvananthapuram has become a center excellence and engaged in serious research.

It is fundamental duty of any who is associated with this martial art is to keep it in its pristine form.. Kalari is the original gem of among Kerala’s treasures, keeping this treasure close to one’s chest alone will make the great soul feel proud.