On January 12, 2026, Kadathanadan Kalari Foundation organized a dynamic Kalaripayattu workshop at Hiranandani Upscale International School in Chennai, featuring live demonstrations and hands-on self-defense training for young participants. Around 75 children and 5 teachers actively engaged, experiencing India’s ancient martial art firsthand.

The Kalaripayattu workshop focused on practical self-protection techniques, showing children how to use fluid movements, stances, and strikes from this 3,000-year-old tradition for personal safety. In an era of rising crimes against women and children, these sessions equip the younger generation with essential skills for confidence and resilience.

Key Benefits of Kalaripayattu Workshops for Children

Kalaripayattu workshops offer holistic growth beyond combat, making them ideal for kids:

• Physical Development: Builds flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, agility, and motor skills through rhythmic exercises like animal-inspired poses (meypayattu) and wooden weapon practice (kolthari). Children gain improved reflexes, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness without equipment.

Mental and Emotional Strength: Enhances focus, concentration, discipline, self-control, and decision-making. Regular practice regulates the nervous system, boosts memory retention, emotional wellbeing, and promotes calm, mindful behavior—even into adulthood.

Self-Defense and Confidence: Teaches non-aggressive conflict resolution, empowering kids to respond tactfully in tough situations while fostering humility, awareness, and a positive lifestyle.

Historically safe for children as young as 7 under qualified guidance, Kalaripayattu workshops start gently with warm-ups and body-awareness drills, avoiding high-impact moves to suit growing bodies.

Foundation’s Mission and Leadership

Kadathanadan Kalari Foundation aims to revive Kalaripayattu and India’s cultural heritage through such outreach. These workshops add momentum to their efforts, inspiring schools to adopt similar programs for broader impact.

Led by Director Thomas Gurukkal, Ganesh Gurukkal, and Pranav K Thomas, the event highlighted the art’s transformative power.[3]

Kalaripayattu workshops like this nurture warriors of peace—strong in body, sharp in mind, and rooted in tradition. Contact the foundation to bring one to your school!