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Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu is a martial art from Kerala. At the national school games it has three events for boys and girls under 17 and under 19: Chuvadukal, the basic steps; Meyppayattu, the body exercises; and Neduvadippayattu, a one-minute fight with cane staffs 5 feet long for a team of two. All three are judged displays.

Checked 20 October 2026

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How long

Performance events at the school games

Lengths are from the rule book.

The tournaments that matter

  1. National Kalaripayattu Championship (India; Yearly).
  2. Khelo India Youth Games (kalaripayattu) (Youth; Yearly).

Who runs it

Rules made bySchool Games Federation of India (SGFI), Kalarippayattu Events Rule Book for 69th National School Games 2025-26 (scanned)
International federationNo international body is named
In IndiaIndian Kalarippayattu Federation, which MYAS recognises.

Where and when it is played

The big events are Indian: the National Kalaripayattu Championship and the Khelo India Youth Games, both held every year.

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