Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
An 82-year-old woman who teaches an ancient Indian martial art of color, says she does not plan to retire.
“I probably practice the color before the day I will die,” says Raghavan, Menocla, is widely considered the oldest woman in the world who practices the art form.
Coloripat – Color means that the battlefield and the Pate means fighting – at least 3000 years ago In the southern state of Kerala and is considered the oldest martial art of India.
It is not just for the fight or struggle; It also serves to introduce discipline, strengthening and development of self -defense skills.
Mrs. Raghavan is now kindly known as a smacket – Ama means a mother in Malay – in the water driver where she lives. Other famous art figures such as Unrisorcha, Arommal Chekavar and Thacholi Othenan also live in the city.
Meenakshi AMMA occurs from time to time in other cities, but mainly manages the Color’s own school based in 1950. Her days are busy and classes from five in the morning to noon.
“I teach about 50 students daily. My four children also passed the training (in the form of art) me and my husband. They started studying from the age of six,” she says.
The color has four stages, and it requires patience to study the form of art.
The training starts with Meypattu – an oil massage accompanied by exercises to smoke the body.
About two years later, students intersect into a talker (struggle for sticks), then into the acknowie his aisanaris (fighting weapons), and finally to the Verba – the highest level that includes an unarmed battle. It will usually take up to five years to master the color.
It is believed that Kung -f has adapted principles such as respiratory and markets (stimulating vital points to optimize energy) from the color, according to Vinod Cadangal, another color teacher.
The legend claims that about the 6th century Indian Buddhist Bodhidharman presented these methods by Shalolin’s monks, affecting a better known Chinese martial art.
Meenakshi AMMA recalls when it first entered the color – the red arena where the art is practiced – 75 years ago.
“I was seven and dancing very well. So, my guru – Vice -Vice Ragan – approached my father and suggested that I study the color. Just like the dance, the art form requires you to be flexible,” she says.
Originally from the Thiya Cherla community, the guru of the Meencard of Amma was 15 when he and his brothers opened his own coloring school after refusing to other place of their low social caste.
“There was no prejudice when it came to the girls who came to study the color – in fact, physical culture was mandatory in all Kerala schools at the time. But we are expected to stop after reaching puberty,” she says.
Unlike others, Menak’s father called for her teenagers. At the age of 17, she fell in love with Ragovna, and they soon married. Together, they went to training hundreds of students, often free.
“At the time, many children came from poor families. The only money he (rogan) was in the form of a species Incinee Or a tribute to the teacher, ”she says.
The donations supported the school, while Raghavan later took on pedagogical work for additional income. After his death in 2007, Oman officially claimed responsibility.
Although at this point she does not plan to retire, she hopes to pass school once to his eldest son Sanjev.
The 62-year-old guy, who is also an instructor at school, says he was lucky to have learned from his best mother. But being her son, she does not earn services; She says she is still his most violent opponent.
Meenakshi AMMA – Local celebrity. During our interview, three politicians are launched to invite her to the award ceremony.
“Am, you have to decorate us with your presence,” says one of them with his hands.
“Thank you for looking at me, I will be present,” she replies.
Her students talk about “cruel passion” for her. Many have opened their own color schools across the state, a source of great pride for Meenakshi AMMA.
“It inspires women everywhere – a rare person who shows love and commitment to her students, but remains a strict disciplinary when it comes to color,” says Kf Thomas, a former student.
Keep up the BBC News India Instagram. YouTube, X and Facebook is Facebook at Facebook..