Several componenents make up the basic equipment and training ground of Kalaripayattu. A student begins training in northern Kalarippayatt at approximately 7 years old with a formal initiation ritual performed by the Gurukkal.

Gurukkal (The last consonant is pronounced as a Retroflex lateral approximant), is a term used in the Malayalam language which means "Master" or "Teacher". Yoga teachers and Kalarippayattu masters are usually referred as Gurukkal. In Kalarippayattu (a martial art form in the Kerala state of south India) the master is also called a "Kalari Gurukkal". The word is derived from Sanskrit Guru and the -kkal ending is due to the practice in Malayalam of adding plural endings to words to indicate respect, even when only one person is being addressed or referred to (eg a-ca-ryar, Bhi-s.mar etc.). This word is also technically the plural of Guru, although it is rarely used in that sense.

At the age of seven, on the opening day of the new session, a novice is admitted to the Kalari in the presence of the Gurukkal or a senior student, and directed to place his right foot first across the threshold. The student touches the ground with the right hand and then his forehead, as a sign of respect. He is then led to the Guruttara, the place where a lamp is kept burning in reverence to all the masters of the Kalari, to repeat his act of worship. He then offers some money in folded betel leaves as dakshina (tuition) for the master and bow and prostrate himself before the latter, and touch his legs, as a sign of submission. The guru then places his hands on the pupil’s head, blesses him and prays for him. This worship—touching the ground, Poottara, Guruttara and the guru’s feet—is repeated everyday. It symbolizes a complete submission to and acceptance of the Kalari deities, Kalari master, and the rules and discipline of the art.

The Kalari

The traditional training of Kalarippayattu, a martial art of Kerala a small state in south India, is always done inside the Kalari (literally, threshing floor or battlefield), which is a specially constructed practice area. Payattu means 'exercise in arms or practice'.

Every Kalari has a Puttara (meaning "platform where flowers are kept" in the Malayalam language). It's a seven tiered platform placed in the south-west corner of every Kalari, housing the the guardian deity of the Kalari. The seven tiers symbolise the seven abilities that each person must possess: Vignesva (strength), Channiga (patience), Vishnu (power to command), Vadugashcha (the posture), Tadaguru (training), Kali (the expression) and Vakasta - purushu (sound). Other deities, most of them incarnations of the Bhagavathi or Shiva, are installed in the corners. Flowers, incense and water are offered to the deity every day. Before starting the day's practice, it is the norm for practitioners to pray to the deity. Not only is the Kalari a temple of learning, but it is also a temple of religious worship with a cult and ritual of its own.

There is also a Guruthara inside all kalaris. Guruttara means "the place where a lamp is kept burning in reverence to all the gurus (masters) of the kalari".

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