Guruttara

Guruttara is a Malayalam word from Kerala, South India, used to indicate the place where a lamp is kept burning in reverence to all the gurus (masters) of the kalari (training place of Kalarippayattu, martial art form in Kerala). There will be always a 'Guruthara' inside a "kalari" where Kalarippayattu is trained.

Initiation ceremony in a Kalari

At the age of seven, on an auspicious day or on the opening day of the new session, a novice is admitted to the kalari in the presence of the Gurukkal (master) 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 to repeat his act of worship. He then has to offer some money in folded betel leaves as dakshina (tuition fee) for the master and bow and prostrate himself before the latter, and touch his legs, as a sign of respect. The guru then places his hands on the pupil’s head, blesses him .This worship; touching the ground, Poottara, Guruttara and the guru’s feet, is to be repeated everyday. It symbolizes a complete acceptance of the Kalari deities, Kalari master, and the rules and discipline of the art.

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