The true post(Web News) Meenakshi Raghavan started martial arts at the age of 7. She is now 82 years old and has also become a grandmother, but she is still not ready to retire.
At 82, a person’s nerves become weak, but even at that age, if someone is not only practicing martial arts but also not willing to stop teaching it, how impressive it is. “I will probably continue practicing Kalari until the day I die,” says Meenakshi Raghavan, an 82-year-old master of the ancient Indian martial art of Kalari Pyatu. Meenakshi Raghavan is believed to be the oldest woman in the world to practice this ancient Indian martial art. Kalari Pyatu has two parts: Kalari, which means battlefield, and Pyatu, which means fight or war. This form of martial art is believed to have originated in the southern Indian state of Kerala at least three thousand years ago and is considered one of the oldest martial arts in India. It is not just for fighting or combat, but is also important for building discipline, building strength in the body, and developing self-defense skills. Meenakshi Raghavan, popularly known as ‘Meenakshi Amma’ Amma means mother in Malayalam. She lives in the Indian state of Kerala.
Meenakshi Amma began learning the art at the age of seven. Meenakshi Amma occasionally performs in other cities, but mainly runs her own Klari school, which her husband founded in 1950. Her days are quite busy, with classes from 5 a.m. to noon.
“I train about 50 students a day. My husband and I also trained our four children (in this art form). They started learning from the age of six,” she says. Klari Piatto has four stages and requires patient practice to learn. The training begins with Maptu, a type of oil followed by exercises to energize the body.
After about two years, students move on to Kolathari (stick fighting), then Angathari (weapon fighting) and finally Virumakai. Virumakai is the highest level of this martial art. It usually takes five years to master Klari Piato. According to Vinod Kadangal, another Klari teacher, the kung fu is believed to incorporate principles such as breathing techniques and Marmashastra (improving the flow of energy) from Klari Piato.
