Kerala _ "Gods own Country" has a unique culture and arts. The Indian state of Kerala is renowned for its varied martial arts. Kalaripayattu, Parisa Kali, Velakanni, Valeru, Kunderu and Njaninmel Kali are the forms of martial arts of Kerala.

Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala, is an integral of the Malayali culture. Kalarippayattu is an Indian martial art practised in Kerala and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, and weaponry, as well as healing techniques. Malabar is considered to be the home of kalaripayattu.

In Malayalam, Kalaripayattu means 'the fighting art of the Kalari'. In ancient Kerala, Kalari was a place of learning subjects such as medicine, philosophy, architecture, astrology and geometry, besides, combat arts and yoga. Translated into English, kalari means: the battlefield, and payat implies training in the art of combat. The technique is based on the science of yoga for its forms and exercises, and its medical treatments are based on the science of Ayurveda.

This art form was developed by the Mappilas of north Kerala as a folk art.It is a game played in the form of mock fight by boys holding short sticks in one hand and red straw-board shields in the other.

Velakali is a ritual art.Fifty or more performers in the traditional attire of soldiers, bearing colourful shields and swords, dance with war like steps rhythmically to the tune of thakil, suddha manddalam, elathalam and kuzhal.When this velakali performed before a deity it is called thirummumbilvela and when performed near a temple pond it is called kulthilvela.There are some of the Kalaripayattu techniques in the valakali.

Among the many martial arts in Kerala , Valeru is worth mentioning. This form of martial art in Kerala mainly concerns sword throwing.

Kunderu or tightrope walking is performed in temple festivals in Kerala. Njaninmel kali is another martial art famous in Kerala.