#OnlyinIndia series- The Indian Cobbler

I am starting a new series of #onlyinindia for #azaadikaamritmahotsav , India's 75th year of Independence.

The Indian Cobbler

The original sustainable idea even before 'sustainable' became a fashionable term.

The Indian cobbler is ubiquitous, setting up his stall on the pavement, corner or in this case a tree stump. He repairs not only shoes or slippers but also umbrellas and bags. I had gone to get the soles of my sturdy leather shoes fixed and sketched him while he was at it. Notice the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and also the hexagonal pendant he has worn resembling the seal of the great Maratha Emperor. He was happy with my sketch and gave me a discount how kind of him.

Kalari Chikitsa at Hindustan Kalari Sangam

During my 8-day training in Kalaripayattu at Hindustan Kalari Sangam in Calicut, I had the opportunity to learn about Kalarichikitsa. Chikitsa means medicine and it is an important aspect of Kalaripayattu which deals with medicine and healing. Although Kalarichikitsa comes under the broader umbrella of Ayurveda, it is unique in its own way. Each Kalari ashram has its own unique and secret herbal recipe for various injuries and is not shared openly. The Kalari system is still very traditional in the sense that not all Kalaripayattu students are initiated into kalarichikitsa.

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My Experience with Kalaripayattu

Having taken a keen interest in learning martial arts since 2016, after beating up a molester (who had groped another girl), I was fascinated by the different forms of martial arts around the world. I tried my hand in kickboxing, Kyokushin Karate (which I learned till I got my green belt) and Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense). And then I read up about Kalaripayattu, which is considered the most ancient form of martial arts, originating in none other than my own country, India. After contacting several ashrams that teach Kalari(short form and easier on the tongue), I zeroed in on Hindustan Kalari Sangam in Calicut. There were no reviews of any Kalari ashrams on the net, so I just went ahead with one of the few ashrams that responded to my query.

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