Urumi swish draws crowd to 11th Ponnyathankam

Urumi blades and the thunderous rhythms of Kalaripayattu once again reverberate across Ponnyam in Kannur district as the 11th edition of Ponnyathankam transforms the historic Ezharakkandam into a vibrant arena of martial valour and cultural celebration.

The week-long festival is jointly organised by the Kerala Folklore Academy, Kathirur panchayat and Pattiyam Gopalan Memorial Library, Pulloody. What began in 2015 as a modest Kalari demonstration by a local reading room has since evolved into one of the largest martial arts congregations in the region, drawing participants from across India and abroad.

Large crowds have thronged the venue in a festive spirit, witnessing intense Kalaripayattu duels alongside a rich cultural showcase. Practitioners from across Kerala have stepped into the ‘angathatt’ to present diverse training techniques from both the northern and southern traditions.

Rare opportunity

Each evening unfolds with electrifying leaps, intricate weapon displays, rigorous drills and synchronised combat routines, offering the public a rare opportunity to experience diverse Payyitta styles on a single platform. The festival also provides a forum for discussions on the philosophy and evolution of Kalaripayattu.

Kalaripayattu being performed during the 11th edition of Ponnyathankam, organised by the Kerala Folklore Academy, Kathirur grama panchayat and Pattiyam Gopalan Memorial Library, Pulloody, at Kathirur in Kannur.
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Special arrangement

Following the inauguration on Monday, various Kalari groups staged demonstrations. According to the organisers, 24 Kalari groups are participating in the festival, including teams from Delhi and Dubai. A group from the Meitei community in Manipur is also showcasing its martial art traditions during the seven-day event. Special stalls featuring artists from Bengal and Bihar have been set up, and homestay facilities have also been arranged for visitors.

Each evening from 7.30 p.m., different Kalari groups perform alongside folk competitions such as Thiruvathirakali, folk dance, Kolkali, Oppana and Duff Muttu. Martial art forms from other regions are also presented. Live performances by Vidhu Prathap, Naresh Iyer, Sachin Warrier, Libin Scaria, Ramya Nambeesan, Prajin Prathap, Harishankar and Gowry Lakshmi add to the festive spirit.

QR code

To strengthen tourism outreach, organisers have introduced a QR code-based registration system at the venue. Visitors can scan and register to access videos and photographs related to Ponnyathankam and the Thalassery heritage tourism project, providing instant digital access to information on heritage centres and activities in the region.

The week-long martial heritage festival was inaugurated by Assembly Speaker A. N. Shamseer at Ezharakkandam on Monday. Describing Ponnyathankam as a festival that has grown to gain global attention, he said that a proposed Kalari Academy in Ponnyam would significantly contribute to the region’s overall development. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kannur Range, Yathish Chandra performed the flag-hoisting ceremony. Kathirur grama panchayat president P.P. Sujaya presided over the function.