Meenakshi Amma: 82yo and Unstoppable - Meet the World’s Oldest Martial Arts Teacher || Kalaripayattu’s Living Legend ||
82-Year-Old Grandmother Teaches Children Ancient Indian Martial Art, Has No Plans to Retire
An 82-year-old grandmother who teaches the ancient Indian martial art Kalaripayattu says she has no plans to retire for now.
"I will probably practice Kalaripayattu until I die," says Meenakshi Raghavan. She is believed to be the world's oldest woman to practice the art.
What is Kalaripayattu?
Kalaripayattu – "Kalari" means battlefield and "payattu" means fight. It is believed to have originated in the southern state of Kerala about 3,000 years ago and is considered the oldest martial art in India.
It is not only used for war and combat but also for discipline, strength-building, and self-defense.
Meet Meenakshi Amma
Raghavan is known as Meenakshi Amma ("Amma" means mother in Malayalam) in Vadakara, Kerala – a city also known for legendary figures like Unniarcha, Aromal Chekavar, and Thacholi Othenan.
Though she occasionally performs in other cities, she primarily runs her Kalaari school, founded by her husband in 1950. Her typical day runs from 5 a.m. to noon.
"I teach about 50 students every day," she says. "My four children were also trained by me and my husband. They started learning when they were six years old."
How Meenakshi Amma Learned Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu has four stages and requires patience to master. Training starts with Mayapattu, followed by oil massages and flexibility exercises. After two years, students progress to:
- Kolthari (stick fighting)
- Angathari (weapon fighting)
- Verumkai (unarmed combat – the highest level)
It typically takes five years to master the form.
According to instructor Vinod Kadangal, many principles found in Kung-Fu, such as breathing techniques and Marma Shastra (vital point stimulation), originate from Kalaripayattu. It is believed that in the 6th century, the Indian monk Bodhidharma introduced these concepts to Shaolin monks in China.
Her Journey Begins
Meenakshi Amma remembers stepping into the Kalari (the red clay training arena) for the first time at age seven. "I was good at dancing. My guru V.P. Raghavan approached my father and suggested that I learn Kalaripayattu. Like dance, this art form requires flexibility."
Coming from the Thiya community, which faced caste-based discrimination, Meenakshi Amma and her brothers opened their own school since others refused to admit them.
"There was no prejudice against girls learning Kalaripayattu. In fact, physical education was compulsory in Kerala schools. But girls were expected to stop after puberty," she adds.
Starting Her Own School
Unlike many, her father encouraged her to continue training into her late teens. At 17, she married her guru, Raghavan. Together, they trained hundreds of students, often for free.
"Many children came from poor families back then," she says. The school relied on donations, and Raghavan later took up a teaching job for additional income. After his death in 2007, Meenakshi Amma officially took over the school.
No Plans to Retire
She still has no plans to retire and hopes to hand over the school to her eldest son, Sanjeev.
Sanjeev, 62, who also teaches at the school, says he feels fortunate to have learned from her. "But being her son doesn’t give me any advantage," he admits. "My toughest opponent is still my mother."
A Local Legend
Meenakshi Amma is a local celebrity. During an interview, three politicians stopped by to invite her to an award ceremony.
"Amma, you should grace us with your presence," one said, hands folded.
"Thank you for inviting me, I will definitely attend," she replied.
Her students deeply appreciate her. Many have gone on to open their own Kalaari schools across Kerala.
"She is an inspiration to women, a rare person who gives her students love and affection, yet remains a strict disciplinarian when it comes to Kalaari," says former student KF Thomas.
Comments