Kalaripayattu had different styles, which is generally classified into two. Thekkan or the southern style and vadakkan the northern versions of which thulunadan style is better in all respects. It was written in the history and in ballads, legendary warriors likeThacholi Othenan and Chandu after obtaining general training in Kalaripayattu, had gone to Thulunadan schools and undergone further studies and rectified the defects in the training they had already obtained. Kalaripayattu is basically a philosophical system aiming to nurture a precise way of ‘non-violent life’ far from any form of aggression and structural more towards introspective self-analysis and self-control. The final goal of a kalari practitioner is not just to know exactly all the techniques of defense and offence or the proper use of the various weapons, but also to overcome and rationally tame the anger and any kind of impulsive and violent behavior, which can have extremely dangerous effects on oneself and others.
Kalaripayattu literally means acquired skill of art. ‘kalari’ means school or arena and ‘payattu’ is skill training or practice. Inherent in the training for combat is a system for healing. One inflicts upon an opponent an injury that one also has the capacity to heal. It encompasses an invigorating Ayurvedic herbal treatment for chronic ailments like arthritis and spondylosis, and a massaging regimen which repairs physical damages and makes the body young and supple.