**Kalaripayattu's 82-Year-Old Matriarch: A Defiant Legacy of Strength and Discipline**

Meenakshi Raghavan, possibly the oldest woman practicing Kalaripayattu, reveals her unwavering dedication to the ancient martial art, defying age norms and inspiring students in Kerala.

 

Meenakshi Raghavan, an 82-year-old resident of Vadakara in Kerala, is making waves as perhaps the oldest woman in the world teaching Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial art. With no intentions of retiring, Meenakshi, affectionately called Meenakshi Amma, asserts, "I'll probably practise Kalari until the day I die." Renowned for its roots dating back at least 3,000 years, Kalaripayattu combines combat training with principles of discipline and self-defense.

Daily, Meenakshi Amma runs her own Kalari school, which her husband established in 1950. Dedicated to nurturing new talent, she teaches approximately 50 students each day, starting her classes at five in the morning. Her own children, who began their training as young as six, have also carried on the family tradition.

Meenakshi's journey with Kalaripayattu began when she was seven. A dancer at heart, she transitioned to martial arts at the encouragement of her guru, VP Raghavan. The art form, which requires patience and resilience to master, is structured in four stages starting from meypattu (physical conditioning) to angathari (weapon combat). Insights from Kalaripayattu are believed to have influenced other martial arts, including Kung Fu, suggesting its broad impact on global practices.

Traditionally from Kerala's Thiyya community, Meenakshi faced few barriers as a girl in pursuing martial arts, with physical education being a significant part of schooling at the time. Her father's support, a rarity in those days, allowed her to overcome societal norms, ultimately leading her to teach alongside her husband. After Raghavan's passing in 2007, Meenakshi assumed the leadership role at the school.

Despite her age, she exhibits immense vitality and dedication to training her students, many of whom have opened their own Kalaripayattu schools, showcasing the profound impact she has on those around her. Politicians frequently visit to seek her presence at local events, signifying her status as a community figure.

Her legacy extends beyond martial arts; students and local constituents regard her as a source of empowerment and inspiration for women. A former student, KF Thomas, reflects her dual nature as both nurturing and a strict disciplinarian, ensuring that her teachings resonate deeply. As Meenakshi Amma looks to the future, her eldest son Sanjeev may inherit the school, continuing a family legacy of martial artistry and community service that has spanned generations.