kadathanadan kalari centre

We took an auto rickshaw from our hotel (Club Mahindra), which charged us Rs. 40 to and fro to the Thekkady Kalari Centre. Here we took the 20 minute elephant ride which was enjoyable. Before leaving we booked tickets for the Martial arts show and Musical Fountain show for the evening. The martial arts show was good. Musical fountain was okay. They also have an open jeep safari which takes you for sightseeing, which we didn’t find worthy as the whole place is already very beautiful. I was short on time but given an option I would have rather gone again for the early morning boat ride in Periyar lake, which was awesome.They also have magic show and Katthakali dance show, which we did not opt to go.

We watched the kalaripayattu show, and all of the athletes were very talented! We were floored with their performance. Worth the time to go there and watch!

We had watched shows of kathakali and kalaripayattu, both were simply breathtaking. Kalari artists show up such thrilling edge of the seat performances one after other that every moment is worth a clap. Shows are for 1 hour each in the evening where Kathakali is from 5-6 and kalari from 6-7. Kids can enjoy a separate magic show.

Good fun show. Time it so that you can go out to eat after. Plenty of parking and clean toilets. Show lasts an hour. Plastic patio seats are comfortable enough. Gets a bit smoky with all the paraffin ablaze!

We visited this centre in Jan 2015.This show cannot be missed! The hard work and efforts of the artists shows up in their performance. It is riveting,makes you wonder why our people do not support such talent. Truly truly great!

Kalaripayattu is the oldest form of martial arts...very good show by everyone. They have 2 shows everyday in the evening...6-7 and 8-9. It's a must watch for everyone who visits Thekkeady. After shows if you want you can take pics with them. Ticket prices for show is 200 Rs..a little higher..but a must watch

Really enjoyed this demonstration of kalaripayattu, the martial art form that was taken to china by a Buddhist monk and inspired martial art forms throughout the world. Amazing feats of flexibility and skill with hand to hand combat using knife, sword, short staff and long staff. Also some awe inspiring demonstrations of a flexible sword (like a long metal whip), fire staff twirling, forward leap rolls over up to 6 people and fire hoop leaping. Great to support keeping this ancient form of martial arts alive and to witness the spiritual reverence with which they conduct this art form. People who want 'ta dah' theatrics may be disappointed (although there are certainly elements of that), people who appreciate seeing the extreme skill exhibited by practitioners who obviously train very hard and are supremely fit, will enjoy it.

It was good to see different types of risky stunts, but the sword fight shown in the banner/hoarding were not there in the live show.

It was a good show and a must visit, however beware of the mosquitos if you are prone to mosquito bytes. There are no fans in the dingy hall.

It was good to see different types of risky stunts, but the sword fight shown in the banner/hoarding were not there in the live show.

It's really amazing to see this unique martial art of Kerala. There is a religious ritual in the beginning - the practitioners pray to the deity before fighting. They have been training since 7 years old, which is really seen in a form of developed strength, patience and concentration. The performance is about showing short fights using different techniques and weapons each time. The most thrilling one is jumping through the ring of fire. There was one activity where they involved the audience too. In the end they let you go down into Kelari (battlefield) to take pictures with them and their weapons.

Must visit place, everybody will enjoy.Thrilling use of traditional weapons.This is a 1 hour show, between 6-7 (daily), great value and you experience the martial art form of Kalaripayattu. The performers movements, flexibility were amazing and it was a wonderful insight into ancient art form.

Although we are not martial art enthusiasts, we thorougly enjoyed the neatly presented show. This art form requires plenty of physical and mental strength of the body. This show makes you feel proud of the fact that even in this field we have contributed to the rest of the world!. It is a pity that somewhere along the line, we have lost not only the pride for good work done but also the enthusiasm to atleast preserve & appreciate the good work done by our ancestors :-(. Anyway, one way of preserving this art form is to attend this show so that last few people who are practicing this could do so in the future! The performers are really professional and you are guaranteed to have fun filled hour and half program. If you are a person who appreciate dance forms of India, the same centre presents a program on Kathakali also. (Usually 6pm to 7; 7 to 8 and 8 to 9 - Rs200/person)

This is a 1 hour show, between 6-7 (daily), great value and you experience the martial art form of Kalaripayattu. The performers movements, flexibility were amazing and it was a wonderful insight into ancient art form. I would recommend this show to anyone while staying in the Thekkady/Periyar area.

Must visit place in thekkady . actions they perform using fire and jump really thrilling!! its worth 200 bugs.