Governance, History and Art and Culture
In News: World Tourism Day celebrations organised at The Sarovaram Biopark in Kozhikode under the aegis of National Service Scheme (NSS) units of colleges.
- NSS volunteers took part in beach cleaning drive on the Kozhikode beach.
- Kite surfing, an Olympic event was explained by One India Kite team captain.
- Face art session and flash mob were held.
- Students painted “gratitude stones” to be distributed among visitors to the park and created colourful eco-friendly signboards in place of plastic signboards.
- A Kalaripayattu demonstration by Kadathanad K.P. Chandran Gurukkal Memorial Kalari Sangham marked the Tourism Day celebrations on Kappad Blue Flag Beach
- A marathon was held on the Vadakara beach with 50 students, people’s representatives, and local residents.
About Kalaripayattu:
- It is also known as Kalari.
- It is an Indian martial art and fighting style that originated in Kerala.
- It is considered to be among the oldest martial arts still in existence, with its origin dating back to at least the 3rd century BC.
- It includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods.
- Practitioners of Kalaripayattu also possess intricate knowledge of pressure points on the human body and healing techniques that incorporate the knowledge of Ayurveda and Yoga.
- Unlike other parts of India, warriors in Kerala belonged to all castes.
- Women in Keralite society also underwent training in Kalaripayattu, and still do so to this day.
About National Service Scheme (NSS):
- It is an Indian government sector public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- It was launched in Gandhiji’s Centenary year in 1969.
- Aimed at developing student’s personality through community service
- NSS is a voluntary association of young people in Colleges, Universities and at +2 level working for a campus-community.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Q.1) With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is `Kalaripayattu’? (2014)
- It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
- It is an ancient style bronze and brass work still found in southern part of Coromandel area
- It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
- It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India
