Kolthari (wooden weapons)
Once the student is performing Maipayat to a satisfactorily level, the Gurukkal will allow him to proceed into the instruction of Kolthari. Kettukari: some people will call this long staff ‘Pandeeran’ short form of Pandrandu chan’ or 12 span stick. This long staff ideally measures from the forehead to the toe. In the Kettukari-fight the stick is used from both sides. The right hand holding the stick is called ‘Amaram’-side while the left hand holding the stick is called the “Muna side.” The stick must be sliding in between both hands without ever losing the contact with the stick. The student starting the fight from the east-side of the Kalari will learn how to respond to the beats aimed to various parts of his body. The teacher or the senior student will take the west-side of the Kalari and lead the combat by attacking the movements. The student should study both sides with care. In Kettukari combat we are teaching as well “Vadiveeshal” or stick wavings. These exercises are not only very useful to loosen the wrists. They require a complete use of the body and control the steps. The handling of the long staff will later prove to be very useful for the spear fight.

Muchaan or short staff:
Muchaan is the short form of ‘Moonu chaan’ of three span, which is the measurement of this weapon. Preferably made of tamarind it is thick at the base and thinner at the end. In this combat the practitioner are working at close distance and very lowdown postures, the concentration on the beatings/blockings is much higher, Well trained will reach an extraordinary speed with this weapon.

Otta or curved stick:
This wooden weapon with the shape of an elephant tusk is the most important weapon in Kalari, because it is fully linked in the knowledge of the Marma’s or venurable points of the body. Ottakol is about 18 to 20 inches long, with a knob at the pointed end. This knob is used to thrust the Marma’s, combat at close quarters and locks are the main features in otta payattu. This weapon is taught only to those who are well disciplines, skilled, devoted and trustworthy. The instruction of this weapon will be given only to advanced students in our institution and instruction of metal weapons will come previous to this weapon. In ottapayat one can see the essence of the body - training (see maipayat) and weapon techniques of Kalaripayat. “Ottapayattiyal urakkathum payattam” this means the well trained student in otta fight can fight even when he is sleep.

Background explanations on Otta

• It is believed that an elephant tusk was used by Lord Krishna in his duel with kamsa. In this duel both adversary were trying to kill each other with different weapons. Ultimately Lord Krishna withdrew an elephant’s tusk with which he attacked Kamsa’s Marma’s. The shape of the elephant tusk has been adopted in modelling the ottakal in tamarid wood.
• It is a holy weapon because people believe that the removed tusk of Lord Ganapathy (the elephant headed son of Lord Shiva) was used as a “otta”.
• The human observation of a fight between the elephant and the lion might have resulted in the expression of steps and stances of both animals fight by one person. The word “otta” means single.

Gadha (mace)
This heavy wooden weapon (in between 4-9Kg) must be wielded by well-built persons. Blows on vulnerable points of the body like Temple, chest are fatal. Particular treat of this weapon fight is that it should not be aimed below the waist of the opponent. Reasons can be found in the puranic stories. Balarama and his disciple, Bhima and duryodhana were the greatest exponents in using the gadha as their chief weapon.