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Product Description
This is the first in-depth study of kalarippayattu - one of India's traditional martial and medical arts dating from at least the 12th century AD. Based on twenty years of research and practice in Kerala, this study traces how kalarippayattu is a mode of cultural practice through which bodies, knowledges, powers, agency, selves, and identities are constantly repositioned.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
While this book introduces the martial arts of India, it tends to contain information that is more suitable
to a "book report" than to learning anything of substance. While this kind of book has been written for years by
various authors about other martial arts,one would have hoped for more meat and less filler in this attempt to
honor a great but little-known tradition.
Many of the pictures were minor additions to the text; in some cases, they could have been done without, and the reader would not have missed a thing.
Additionally, there was a fair amount of discussion of the "secret" marma points that could kill or seriously incapcitate
an opponent. While nothing substantial was said, there was alot of circumspect material - which was un-necessary. Marma points are common to the Chinese martial arts,and the exact use of them for combat and healing has been well-documented in several texts, where the art of using those points is called Dim Mak.
Given the scope of Indian martial arts, one would hope that someone might come forward with a book that would speak
to serious martial artists rather than the interest of the general public. Perhaps I expected too much? In any case,it was a reasonable start...
to a "book report" than to learning anything of substance. While this kind of book has been written for years by
various authors about other martial arts,one would have hoped for more meat and less filler in this attempt to
honor a great but little-known tradition.
Many of the pictures were minor additions to the text; in some cases, they could have been done without, and the reader would not have missed a thing.
Additionally, there was a fair amount of discussion of the "secret" marma points that could kill or seriously incapcitate
an opponent. While nothing substantial was said, there was alot of circumspect material - which was un-necessary. Marma points are common to the Chinese martial arts,and the exact use of them for combat and healing has been well-documented in several texts, where the art of using those points is called Dim Mak.
Given the scope of Indian martial arts, one would hope that someone might come forward with a book that would speak
to serious martial artists rather than the interest of the general public. Perhaps I expected too much? In any case,it was a reasonable start...
Format:Paperback
When the Body Becomes All Eyes: Paradigms, Discourses and Practices of Power in Kalarippayattu, a South Indian Martial Art
Very interesting book on the most ancient martial art, rare in its field.
Very interesting book on the most ancient martial art, rare in its field.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Fascinating Look at an Indian Martial Art
9 April 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book, by a western academic who spent extensive periods of time studying Kalarippayattu in India, provides an interesting, detailed ethnographic survey of this little known martial art. Kalari is a complete art in the sense that it includes conditioning exercises, empty hand forms, a variety of weapons (staff, spear, daggers, and swords, including an amazing long flexible sword), holistic health practices such as massage, and spiritual practices. The art is based on Ayurvedic principles, and includes (like Chinese martial arts) a system of vital points (called marma) which can be used for either healing or causing harm. The author gives extensive information about the history, rituals, and social aspects of this South Indian art. The book is not a how-to, instructional manual, but a scholarly study with extensive footnotes. However, it is packed with lots of cool pictures. Highly recommended!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
THE essential resource for the Academic study of Kalarippayattu
1 May 2011
Format:Paperback
This is as of this moment the one critical book written on the Keralan Martial Art Kalarippayattu. As such it is THE resource any scholar or interested layman needs to understand the topic.
Last Fall I participated in a Study Abroad program in South India, and for my month long Independent Study I went to Kerala to study Kalarippayattu. I studied under a master by day and researched the topic by night for my eventual presentation on the subject. And while I was able to find a few other resources on the subject, almost all of my references and footnotes in my paper and presentation were from this book, the others I found just couldn't compare.
Zarrilli succeeds brilliantly in giving a multifaceted exposé on the subject. The chapters concern a variety of angles of the Martial Art, each insightful and interesting. Discussed within is Keralan history, discussions of Hindu deities and their encoded ritual in practice, descriptions of healing and killing techniques, Meditation, as well as a discussion of the Martial Art's similarities to Kundalini yoga. It is all here.
Further praise is given for Zarrilli's writing style. There are a few scholars out there who succeed in being poetic in describing the metaphysical and phenomenological, while at the same time being critically academic. And I can say that Zarrilli can count himself as one of them. I quoted frequently from this book in my presentation; his comments concerning how practitioners channel the energy of the goddess through practice still haunt me to this day, they are that powerful.
One small gripe would be that the pictures in the book aren't that great. They are black and white, and while they are good enough illustrate Zarrilli's many points, they could be better.
All in all, this is the best book to read on the subject. I highly recommend it
Last Fall I participated in a Study Abroad program in South India, and for my month long Independent Study I went to Kerala to study Kalarippayattu. I studied under a master by day and researched the topic by night for my eventual presentation on the subject. And while I was able to find a few other resources on the subject, almost all of my references and footnotes in my paper and presentation were from this book, the others I found just couldn't compare.
Zarrilli succeeds brilliantly in giving a multifaceted exposé on the subject. The chapters concern a variety of angles of the Martial Art, each insightful and interesting. Discussed within is Keralan history, discussions of Hindu deities and their encoded ritual in practice, descriptions of healing and killing techniques, Meditation, as well as a discussion of the Martial Art's similarities to Kundalini yoga. It is all here.
Further praise is given for Zarrilli's writing style. There are a few scholars out there who succeed in being poetic in describing the metaphysical and phenomenological, while at the same time being critically academic. And I can say that Zarrilli can count himself as one of them. I quoted frequently from this book in my presentation; his comments concerning how practitioners channel the energy of the goddess through practice still haunt me to this day, they are that powerful.
One small gripe would be that the pictures in the book aren't that great. They are black and white, and while they are good enough illustrate Zarrilli's many points, they could be better.
All in all, this is the best book to read on the subject. I highly recommend it
15 of 27 people found the following review helpful
It is a book worth reading
17 Nov 1999
Format:Hardcover
The book deals with the little known martial art of south India called Kalari which is believed to be the oldest of all martial arts.The author has done an excellent job.
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