Daśagrīva Kalari - Rooted in Southern Tradition

          On 1940, in an ancient Nadar family having Vaidya & Kalari Tradition, in Trivandrum which belonged to the olden State of Travancore, Shri. Krishnankutty Asan was born. His affinity towards martial arts influenced him to start learning and practicing Kalaripayattu at a very young age under several renowned masters. He learned different Southern, Northern, Kadathanadan, Adimurai style of Kalari from the doyens of Kalaripayattu.The sheer dedication and commitment of Krishnankutty Asan has made him the prime student of all his teachers.Gurukkal’s expertise also extended to the treatment of ailments through Ayurveda, Siddha and Marma Chikitsa. Shri. Krishnankutty Asan acquired the knowledge of Agastya marma Sasthram, of Siddha medicine; he also mastered the preparation of rare and authentic medicines with natural herbs and minerals. Gurukkal through dedicated practice of Kalaripayattu and traversing through the different levels of the art reached the apex and skillfully mastered the science of Marma chikitsa. In his life as a traditional medical practitioner he played an instrumental role in treating ailments from the patients who approached him over his life time. He was Chief Marma Technician in Ayurveda College Trivandrum.

Dasagriva Kalari honors the southern style of Kalarippayattu, tracing its origins to sage Agastya and embracing siddha medicine for healing.

                                       Jijo MG, a distinguished martial artist and passionate advocate for Kalaripayattu, has dedicated over 30 years to mastering and teaching this ancient Indian martial art. His journey began at the tender age of three under the tutelage of his grandfather, the legendary Krishnakutty Asan. Driven by an insatiable curiosity and deep respect for tradition, Dr. Jijo extended his expertise to encompass the Southern, Northern, and Adi Murai styles of Kalaripayattu, as well as other traditional arts such as Silambam, Siddha medicine, and Bharatanatyam. In 2009, Dr. Jijo founded the DAŚAGRĪVA MARMA KALARI SANGHAM in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, continuing the legacy of his grandfather's Veera Kerala Marma Kalari. The organisation has since trained over 1,000 students of various ages and backgrounds, promoting the physical and philosophical aspects of Kalaripayattu. Dr. Jijo's multifaceted expertise and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including the "Martial Artist of the Year 2023" at India's Iron Men Awards and an honorary doctorate from the WHRPC-United Nations. His contributions to the martial arts community and traditional medicine have solidified his status as a respected and influential figure in preserving and promoting Kalaripayattu.

Our Guru - Shri Krishnankutty Asan

Grand Master - Dr Jijo MG