Note: This is an on-the-road photo journal. To find out more about why I am on this trip, please read Next book: From Kerala to Shaolin. Importantly, these are just some simple photos taken by yours truly. The really good photos on this trip are being taken by Kirit Kiran, a Delhi-based photographer and filmmaker. The best will appear in the actual book.
Massaging oils before practise, CVN Kalari, Trivandrum
CVN Kalari, Trivandrum
CVN Kalari, Trivandrum
Sparring with daggers, CVN Kalari, Trivandrum
Sparring with daggers, CVN Kalari, Trivandrum
Boddhidharma Institute of Martial Arts, Poonthura
Sword and shield, Boddhidharma Institute of Martial Arts, Poonthura
A young man with Down’s Syndrome has been trained in the use of the urumi, flexible sword. Boddhidharma Institute of Martial Arts, Poonthura
A young girl posing with the ceruvadi, short stick. Indian women today learn kalarippayattu partly for self defence.
Hindustan Kalari, Calicut
Hindustan Kalari, Calicut
Food: Top 5
Figured I have to document only the Top 5 foods; this could easily be Top 20. Tough choices.
Sour mango with chilli powder. Great anytime snack.
Potthu, steamed rice flour and coconut. Typical breakfast food.
Potthu eaten with peanut curry here. I also like it with brown sugar.
A good egg curry renders meat unnecessary.
Kerala fish fry. In one of its many forms.
Biryani, Bombay Hotel, Calicut.
Biryani, Bombay Hotel, Calicut.
Condiments for biryani. Mint, yoghurt, pickle.