Adil Boukind

Documentary photographer

Repressed during the British occupation due to its deadly techniques, the Kalaripayattu reinvigorate and try to stay as traditional as possible.

A child does coordination training with the help of two bamboo sticks while waiting for his master.

During training, everyone is equal. The simple attire eliminates the evidence of social statuses.

Morning meditation session in Calicut, Kerala.

Kalaris are often buried between 2 and 3 meters below ground level to avoid the Southern Indian heat. Trainings are also given early in the morning and late at night for the same reason.

Sharida Vadi, the long stick training.

The Nickname "Flying Warriors" comes from the extremely powerful aerial attacks. Those attacks also, as part of the training, simulate attacks made on horseback.

Yoga exercises are an integral part of training.

Spinal flexibility exercises are crucial in order to perform Kalaripayattu techniques.

Regarded as "the mother of martial arts”, Kalaripayattu, commonly referred to as Kalari is a physical combat sport deeply rooted in religious rituals and moral 

The martial artists must be able to completely turn around during full jump. This allows them to gain more control over their techniques and become more unpredictable in the eyes of their opponents.

The fighters have no protection, which requires both the attacker and the defender to be accurate.

The warriors do not hold back the force of their blows during training, which may result in serious injuries and cause weapons to break.

At the beginning of each training, fighters are coated with special oil to increases grealty their flexibility.

Respect and discipline are fundamental values in martial arts. Trainers greet their master by touching his feet.

Unlike most martial arts, bare handed techniques are taught after weapons. The style emphasizes disarmament to simulate fighting in war.

The last of the teachings involves aftercare and massages so that fighters may treat one another if they are injured.

The Urumi is a flexible and dangerous sword which measures approximately two meters in length. Certain models can have up to 4 flexible blades per sword. It was designed to fight several enemies at a time and is one of the last weapons to master.

Two fighters rest after an intensive class. They have been training since the age seven.

Training weapons keep the marks of intensive training.