Padma Shri Meenakshi Amma
A Kalari guru past 76! Under normal circumstances an incredible story! But, here is a real narrative. Meenakshi Amma’s is a life dedicated to the unique Kerala martial arts. An inquisitive Organiser correspondent spoke to Amma and heard from the horse mouth itself. She remembered that her father Damu took her to the Kalari (training centre for the Kalari training) when she was hardly 7. It was manned by Raghavan alias Ravooty Master, the reputed kalari guru of those days in Vadakara, Kozhikkode district. After few years Master married her as arranged by both families. By that time he had joined a school as a teacher. But, Amma continued her ‘mission’ and trained generations after generations; of course Master was very much in it despite his teacher job. Now, past 76, Amma is still an active and valiant kalari guru. Master died some time back. The couple’s sons Sajeev and Pradeepkumar, despite being busy businessmen, are very much in teaching kalari along with their 76 year ‘young’ amma.
The motherly guru of Kadathanattu has got hundreds of students, belonging to several generations.
— T Satisan, Kerala
