CVN Kalari Edakkad

CVN Kalari Edakkad is a renowned Kalaripayattu training centre located in Edakkad, Kannur district, Kerala. Established by the legendary guru C. V. Narayanan Gurukkal, it serves as the headquarters of the CVN Kalari Sangham. Housed in a traditional earthen kalari pit, the centre is dedicated to preserving and teaching the northern style of Kalaripayattu. It is notable for authentic training, demonstrations for visitors, and its role in promoting Kerala's ancient martial art heritage.

Visitors can expect a traditional earthen kalari pit sunk below ground level where practitioners train in Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art of Kerala. The setting includes a tiled-roof training hall with a viewing gallery around the pit. Visitors can observe rigorous training sessions, body conditioning exercises, weapon practice and choreographed demonstrations when arranged in advance. The atmosphere is disciplined and focused on guru-shishya tradition.

Established by C. V. Narayanan Gurukkal (C.V.N), a highly respected Kalaripayattu guru, CVN Kalari Edakkad became the headquarters of CVN Kalari Sangham. It has played a key role in reviving, systematizing and popularizing the Vadakkan Sampradayam of Kalaripayattu in the post-independence period and training generations of practitioners.

The kalari is a significant cultural institution for Kerala's ancient martial art Kalaripayattu, recognized as one of India's oldest combat systems. It preserves the guru-shishya parampara, traditional rituals, oil massage, and physical discipline associated with Kalari, and contributes to Kerala's intangible cultural heritage.