In the land of Kalaripayattu, where warriors once trained in ancient combat forms, a new generation is throwing punches, kicks, and takedowns inspired by fighting styles from across the globe. Martial arts like Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Muay Thai, and Sanda are surging in popularity across Kerala, drawing both young athletes and late-starting enthusiasts into gyms filled with heavy bags and boxing rings.

Key facts

  • MMA and Muay Thai are now among the most in-demand combat sports in Kerala
  • Social media and platforms like YouTube have driven awareness and interest
  • Practitioners range from teenagers preparing for competitions to adults starting in their late 30s
  • Kalaripayattu is also experiencing a renewed interest alongside newer arts

New Faces in the Ring

In Thiruvananthapuram, 19-year-old Muhammed Aiman S. is gearing up for a rigorous three-month training camp ahead of the University Games in December. He competes in Sanda, a Chinese full-contact sport that blends punches, kicks, and takedowns. “Sanda is a speed game,” Aiman explains. He’s already won two of his three professional fights and represents a growing cohort of young athletes who see a future in these sports.

Then there’s Ann Mary Philip from Kochi, who discovered kickboxing in 2018 while searching for a class for her son. At 42, she’s now training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has won a Muay Thai bout in Thailand, and serves as secretary general of the Sambo India Association. “Forty is the age limit for amateur matches,” she says, “but I had this great desire to experience boxing at least once. So my debut match was also my retirement match.” Her story underscores how these arts attract all ages—not just the young.

Why the Shift?

For decades, Kerala’s martial arts landscape was dominated by Karate, Kalaripayattu, and Kung Fu. Today, Joys Varghese, founder of Spartans Martial Arts and Fitness, says MMA is the most popular—thanks largely to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. “Youngsters today are not interested in spending time on the forms in Karate and Kung-Fu,” he observes. “They want faster, workable results.”

Binu Joseph, president of the Kerala State Muay Thai Association, credits social media for Muay Thai’s rise. “Before social media, people here did not have much awareness about martial arts beyond Karate, Kalari, or Kung Fu. That is not the case nowadays.” Fighters like Saenchai and Rodtang are now as familiar as local Kalaripayattu legends.

Kalaripayattu Holds Its Ground

Amid this explosion of new styles, Kalaripayattu is far from forgotten. S.R.D. Prasad, an 80-year-old Gurukkal in Kannur, notes a revival. “During a visit to Bengaluru, I was astonished to see the number of people taking up Kalaripayattu.” He believes government recognition—such as Padma Awards for veterans—has helped fuel renewed interest.

G. Sathyanarayanan of the famed CVN Kalari in Thiruvananthapuram agrees. “A lot of the interest in Kalari is fuelled by the internet,” he says. Yet he emphasizes that Kalaripayattu remains a disciplined, integrated system best started young, when the body is still supple.

“I don’t agree with the argument that it is a relic art. It is such a wise and profound technology for the body and mind that I feel it is more current than one thinks.”
— Eyal Meyer, Chilean actor and Kalaripayattu practitioner

Even overseas, Kalaripayattu is making waves. Chilean actor Eyal Meyer, who trained in Kozhikode and runs Mauna Kalari in Santiago, hopes to see more of the art in Western films. He dreams of a sequel to The Fist of the Condor that showcases Kalaripayattu weapons like the urumi.

What’s clear is that Kerala’s fighting spirit is evolving—honoring its deep roots while embracing a world of new combat arts.