My family and students are happy to hear this news. They have already began the celebrations
T Satisan
T Meenkashi Amma, the dynamic kalari guru even at the age of 75, is dedicated to the Kerala’s unique martial arts. Organiser spoke to the valiant mother.
Father Damu took Meenakshi Amma to kalari (the training center for teaching kalari payattu, the martial art of Kerala) when she was 7. Raghavan alias Ravootty Master was the guru, the trainer or teacher. Later on Master worked as a school master on top of his kalari career. After some time they got married as arranged by both families. She continued her kalari practice even after the wedding. She kept on training the new generations along with the Master. Now, she is 75, but still a busy kalari guru. Ravooty Master died a few years ago. The couple’s two sons Sajeev and Pradeepkumar are businessmen and also teaching kalari along with the mother. Daughter Chandra Prabha lives in Dubai with her husband and children. When she comes home she gets involved in training the children. Second daughter Ruby is active in kalari training.
Hundreds of students have undergone training in kalari under this guru of Kadathanattu, the place known for the legendary Unniyarcha and Aromal Chekavar, etc. Amma told the weekly that when she got the phone call from Delhi about the Padma Puraskar she could not believe it; she thought, someone was teasing her. Still she is in that mood.
Amma’s trusted lieutenant in the training Sajikumar told this weekly that Amma performed kalari with her son Sajeevkumar and his daughter when the organisers of the programme requested for the performance of the generations together.
Key Contribution : ?The oldest female Kalari Payattu Gurukkal (Trainer)
