In traditional Kerala, martial training took place in underground training halls called Kalaris. These were pits dug into the ground, about 20 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, under a thatched roof. To make the training ground extremely smooth and frictionless, the floor was covered with thousands of small cowrie shells. The shells were set with the rounded side up and rubbed with oil or lard. Rigorous training began at age seven on the first day of the monsoon month of Karkatakam (July). Doctors believed that the body is most flexible and grows muscle best during the heaviest rains. To prepare students for acrobatics and fighting, instructors rubbed their joints and tendons with sesame oil. The instructors hung from ropes above and used their feet and toes to work the students’ muscles. Most young men trained to master the sword, shield, lance, and bow. Left-handed students only learned archery.
