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Aramada PO,Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Shri. Thankappan Aasan was born on November 25, 1930, as the fifth son of Shri. Perumal Nadar and Smt. Kali Lakshmi. During the royal rule in South Travancore, 'Kampadav Kali' was an art form that flourished, with Kalaripayattu being traditionally performed in festival grounds and at wedding houses to welcome the bridegroom.
Deeply inspired by this tradition, Aasan commenced his preliminary studies of Kalaripayattu and Marma Chikilsa under the guidance of his uncle, Guru Kuttiyappy Aasan. He further honed his skills under the tutelage of Guru Eliasar and Guru Devasahayam.
Aasan began his Kalari training at the tender age of 10 and held his first exhibition by the age of 20. Alongside his own studies, Aasan dedicated himself to training children. In 1957, he formally established 'Maruthi Marma Chikilsa & Kalari Sangham' to impart Thekkan Kalaripayattu to his disciples. In the subsequent years, the institution attracted numerous aspiring individuals eager to learn this martial art. Aasan also traveled extensively across the country, showcasing and promoting Kalaripayattu.
In 1983, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) visited the Kalari and produced a documentary titled "The Way of the Warrior" about the southern Kalari community and the Marma healing method. The Maruthi Kalari Sangham garnered international acclaim following the telecast of this documentary.
Aasan, a paragon of grace and discipline, is renowned for his rigorous daily routine. He begins his day at 4 AM by lighting the Kalari lamp and trains diligently with his disciples until the last one leaves. His nine decades of disciplined and selfless contribution to Southern Kalari have made Aasan an iconic figure among contemporary Kalari practitioners.
Shri. Ajith Kumar, born in 1968, trained in Kalaripayattu under the mentorship of his father and Guru, Shri. Thankappan Aasan. Having competed in and won numerous Kalaripayattu Championships since childhood, Shri. Ajith Kumar has elevated the institution to new heights by extensively traveling abroad to showcase and promote Kalaripayattu.
Conducting Kalaripayattu programs across India as part of the South Zone Cultural Center. Leading Kalaripayattu workshops and programs in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, and France with the Milon Mela Theatre Group, led by Abani Biswas (an associate of Jerzy Grotowski in the Theatre of Sources). Collaborating with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to conduct Kalaripayattu workshops and programs in Russia, Hungary, and Zimbabwe.