73-year-old gurukkal becomes internet sensation

A recent video of a 73-year-old woman armed with a quarterstaff taking on a man half her age at a

Kalari

workshop captivated many online. The video itself racked up more than 13 lakh hits since its upload and

Meenakshiamma

has been flooded with calls, enquiring about the secret to her deft moves and what keeps her going at her age.

The Vadakara-based Kalari master though, is not new to getting this kind of attention. Having begun practising the martial art at the tender age of seven, she has often been lauded for sticking with the craft. “When I was small, a lot of children were enrolled to learn Kalari. My dad too followed suit. I married my master

Raghavan Gurkkal

when I turned 16 and have been teaching Kalari at Vadakara since then. He’s no more, but I will keep practising till I die,” she says, adding that her two sons and two daughters are also Kalari-trained.

Her routine involves teaching students from 5 am to 8 am before resuming it in the evening till 9 pm. Specialising in the Northern style of Kalari, she says, “Be it man or woman, everyone must learn Kalari as it improves your life span. I have disciples aged six to 55. With practise anyone can be adept.”