The unusual case of a southern-style kalari in the north, under S. K. Rajesh Gurukkal, with a treatment practice Kozhikode knows it for.
The kalari traces its founding to Bhargavan Pillai, a descendant of the exiled Venad aristocracy, which is why the southern system is taught in a northern district. Around fifty students train under S. K. Rajesh Gurukkal, whose parallel career spans film stunt work in Malayalam cinema, Bollywood and Hollywood.
The Bhargava Kalari is known locally for treatment quality: marma chikitsa, uzhichil, chavutti thirummu, Panchakarma and Ayurvedic treatment, with in-patient admission available. Visitors from Russia and Germany come both to train and to be treated.
Seven decades of training and treatment at Puthiyara, with board and lodging on site and a dedicated women's Kalaripayattu team.
The Kozhikode CVN, founded by K. Narayanan Gurukkal, known for film choreography from Thacholi Othenan to Bajirao Mastani and for its in-patient treatment ashram.
A kuzhi kalari at East Hill with resident and day students, and a steady stream of theatre artists from France, Italy and Canada on three-to-six-month stays.
