ויש הטוענים ש Kalaripayattu הוא
המקור לקרטה וקונגפו.. "It is believed that Kalaripayattu had its foundation in the time of Parasurama, the Brahmin warrior, also one of the ten avatars (incarnations) of the Hindu God, Vishnu. He developed 108 Kalaris or methods of training the body for battle. The word Kalari literally means, "system of training". Very few of the original writings describing this training method still exist, yet those that are available are in use today. Many claim that Kalaripayattu is in reality the most ancient beginnings of the Japanese martial art of "Karate", as well as the Chinese martial art of "Kung Fu". This art form was introduced eastward from India to China and thence into Japan by Bodhidharma. Since this form actually means, "open or empty hand" it is possible that it was later used by Buddhist monks, specifically the Shaolin priests in China, as an exercise program which involved physical techniques that were efficient, strengthened the body, and eventually, could be used practically in self-defense when necessary without the use of weapons which is evident in those forms of Kalaripayattu that are performed without weapons. As is the case with other martial arts, the ultimate purpose of Kalaripayattu is not to train for combat, but instead, to change the body into a proper place for a powerful mind. Many weapons are used in certain forms of Kalaripayattu consisting of daggers, spears and swords. The use of these weapons was, and is reserved for those few students in whom the guru has the most trust. These users become experts in the usage of these weapons as well as in the complete control of their body movements. These movements have lead, in modern times to the development of other physical accomplishments in the performing arts."
