Kochi: In order to keep the students physically fit and make them aware that ‘health is wealth’, a 67-year-old retired postal department officer in Ernakulam, who is an expert in Kalaripayattu, is on a mission to train school students in the traditional martial art of
Kerala.
Peter P V Plavidayil
of Ramamangalam is conducting free
Kalaripayattu training camps
in schools in the district.
Peter retired as an accounts officer after 41 years of service in the postal department. With an experience of around 45 years in Kalaripayyattu, he has decided to impart training in the martial art as his retired life’s hobby. He has set up a Kuzhi Kalari (pit arena) near his house and has been giving training to both children and youngsters post retirement.
Last week, Peter conducted a training workshop at the
Student Police Cadets
’ (SPC) camp at
Ramamangalam High School
for around 88 SPC cadets. He demonstrated various Kalarichuvadukal during the training and gave a lecture to the students on the martial art and how it helps in being physically and mentally strong. Many of the cadets are about to join for
Kalaripayattu
training class with Peter.
Even though Peter has been passionate about the martial art from childhood, he could learn it only after joining the postal department. He spent much of his professional career in Thiruvananthapuram. He started learning Vadakkan Kalaripayattu (north Kerala style) at the age of 22 at CVN Kalari at East Fort that was established in 1956. He mastered the martial art quickly and had demonstrated his skills in many places including foreign countries. He even demonstrated the martial art at Rashtrapathi Bhavan in 2000 during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India.
“Kalaripayattu helps a person have control over his/her mind and body and improves concentration. Children in today’s society are not so keen on their health and often many fall prey to the use of narcotic substance. Getting trained in Kalaripayattu will help them lead a healthy life,” Peter said.
Besides Kalaripayattu, Peter is also a professional yoga trainer and he conducts yoga sessions too at his house.
Start a Conversation
Post comment