"AN AMBASSADOR FOR KALARIPAYATTU WORLDWIDE"

  Sankara Narayana Menon Chundayil, who has been honoured with Padma Shri, is one of the senior-most martial art practitioners in the country. At 93, Menon, popularly known as Unni Gurukkal, still starts his training at the Vallabhatta Kalari, Chavakkad, from 5.30 a.m. The family of Unni Gurukkal — Mudavangattil family — holds the legacy of leading the army of the King of Vettathu Nadu in Malabar. The Vallabhatta Kalari has disciples across the word.

  The Vallabhatta Kalari in Chavakkad currently has 90 trainees. Lucky ones, for they have the opportunity to train under Unni Gurukkal, the most senior among the living members of the Mudavangattil family that runs the kalari. The family holds the legacy of having led the army of the king of Vettathu Nadu in Malabar. Even at the age of 93, Unni Gurukkal — Sankaranarayana Menon — is at the martial arts training centre at 6am. Every day. He supervises the training there till 8.30am before having breakfast, leaving his children in charge. A disciplined lifestyle has been the hallmark of his longevity as a kalaripayattu exponent. He wakes up at 5.30am, eats at the right time and goes to bed at 10pm. Unless there is an emergency, there has seldom been a break to that routine over the years.

  Unni Gurukkal and his children have travelled extensively overseas to promote kalaripayattu, starting new Vallabhatta centres in countries like the UK, US, France, Belgium and Sri Lanka. As of now, Vallabhatta Kalari trains more than 5,000 people in 17 branches across the world. “I’m happy to see more people practice kalaripayattu through our branches. It was my dream,” he says.

  Vallabhatta Kalari has won several awards participating in state and national kalaripayattu competitions. Its headquarters in Chavakkad also offers kalari therapies like kettu chikilsa and uzhichil.

President Shri Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Gurukkal Sankara Narayana Menon

Shri Gurukkal Sankara Narayana Menon with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

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