In brief
In Kerala, Meenakshi Raghavan, known as Meenakshi Amma, continues to teach Kalaripayattu, India’s oldest martial art, passionately refusing to retire. With her school founded in 1950, she trains students daily, blending discipline with self-defense skills.
At 82, Meenakshi Raghavan, affectionately called Meenakshi Amma, is inspiring many as she boldly continues to teach Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art originating from Kerala, India. Regarded as possibly the oldest woman practicing this art, Meenakshi has stated, "I'll probably practice Kalari until the day I die."Kalaripayattu, a mix of combat techniques and physical conditioning, can be traced back 3,000 years. Although renowned for its fighting skills, it significantly fosters discipline and self-defense among its practitioners. Meenakshi Amma runs a Kalari school set up by her husband in 1950 and teaches around 50 students daily, with classes beginning as early as five in the morning.Her training involves four stages, starting with conditioning exercises, progressing through stick fighting, weapon combat, and culminating in unarmed combat. Mastery of Kalaripayattu typically requires five years of dedicated practice. Meenakshi's journey in this discipline began when she was just seven years old. She fondly recalls her influential guru VP Raghavan urging her family to support her pursuit of Kalaripayattu. This encouragement allowed her to train longer than many girls of her generation.Even after her husband’s passing in 2007, she has been a powerhouse at the school, intending to hand it down to her eldest son, Sanjeev. A local celebrity, Meenakshi Amma has garnered respect from politicians and former students alike, who view her as a strict yet loving mentor.She's a notable figure who not only promotes Kalaripayattu but also embodies resilience and empowerment for women, inspiring them everywhere to follow their passions, no matter their age.
