Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s3.t5.5

v2.c12.s3.t5.5

There are many similarities between Kalaripayattu and Chinese martial art. For example, training attaches importance to students’ martial virtues, and developing integrity, and proposes a calm mood and combines vigour and suppleness during training; skill trainings include unarmed fight and use of instrument, etc. China’s Shaolin martial arts regarded Bodhidharma as the founder, who was from South India, and Chinese common people had a natural sense of identity towards Kalaripayattu. Kalaripayattu was introduced through newspapers and television in the 1980s, in China. Twelve Indian Kalaripayattu masters participated in the “Indian Festival” held in China, and performed with Chinese martial masters on June 20, 2010. This was the first face-to-face exchange between Chinese and Indian martial arts systems, which holds historical significance.