It demands extensive training and regular practice and, according to Soni, makes a better human being out of an individual. Presenting one with the reins to control once own physical movement, the regular practice of kalaripayattu bestows one with the power to control one’s own senses. “Practicising the various items in kalaripayattu and training in the methods of defence and attacks with the traditional weapons used in the kalari will enhance physical fitness and cultivate abilities such as absolute physical control ,endowing unbelievable speed in physical movements, leaps and jumps and also would help the trainee achieve perfect neuro-muscular co-ordination,” he says.

Theatre artistes, doyens of dance and actors to tame their physical movements, have embraced the age-old physical cum-martial art of Kerala. “ Kalari was in the limelight because actor Asin wanted to learn it for her next film. Actors, dancers and theatre artistes know how to use the form to their benefit,” Soni says. According to him, kalarippayattu is a rare combination of martial training, physical culture, self- defence practice and physiotherapic treatment. “The approach of the training is aimed at ultimate coordination and control over mind and body. The weapons become an extension of the body, controlled by the mind to achieve high degree of perfection in both offensive and defensive combats. In the workshop, we will be teaching the primary levels,” he says.

In the 10-day workshop, Soni will be training the participants in basic leg movements, mayepayattu (body movements), various body postures and verumkai prayogam(bare hand fighting movements) to acquaint them with kalaripayattu.