Latest news with #Kalari
News18
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Who is Krishna? Tamil Actor Arrested In Drugs Case With Srikanth
Last Updated: Krishna Kulasekaran, known for his roles in films like Veera, Kazhugu 2, Kalari, and Maari 2, has found himself in the spotlight, but for all the wrong reasons. Tamil actor Krishna's arrest in connection with the drugs case has left everyone shocked. He was picked up by police officials on Thursday, days after another Tamil actor – Srikanth – was also apprehended in the same case. While the police officials are probing alleged connections between Kollywood celebrities, political aides, and an active drug trafficking network, the arrests of these actors have raised several eyebrows. However, do you know who is Krishna and how is he related to the case? Let's find out: Who Is Krishna? Not many people know that Krishna hails from a prominent film family. His father, K.K. Sekar, is a well-known producer in the Tamil industry, and his elder brother, Vishnuvardhan, is an acclaimed director known for films like Billa and Arrambam. Krishna began his career in the Tamil film industry as a child actor. He appeared in Mani Ratnam's Anjali (1990), followed by brief roles in Iruvar and The Terrorist. He later moved to the US, completed his MBA, and briefly worked in the IT industry before returning to India to pursue acting full-time. His big break came in 2008 with Alibhabha, produced by his father K.K. Sekar. He went on to star in a series of successful films, including Kazhugu (2012), where he portrayed a suicide body retriever, Yaamirukka Bayamey and Vanavarayan Vallavaraya. Krishna also worked in a number of thrillers like Pandigai, Yaakkai, and Vizhithiru. He was also a part of Maari 2 and Kazhugu 2. The actor was also expected to make his Malayalam debut with Picasso, a film that was reportedly in post-production. With the recent developments, the future of the project remains uncertain. Krishna was previously married and divorced in 2014. In June 2025, he quietly tied the knot with longtime friend Sadhvia in an intimate ceremony. How Is Krishna Linked To Drugs Case? According to sources, police carried out a two-hour intensive search at Krishna's residence in Besant Nagar before taking him into custody. Reports suggest that Srikanth, during his interrogation by Nungambakkam police, named Krishna as a frequent associate in drug-fueled gatherings. Krishna, who is the brother of acclaimed director Vishnu Vardhan, reportedly evaded summons initially and even fled to Kerala to avoid arrest, prompting authorities to form four special teams to track him down. First Published:
Hans India
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
‘8 Vasanthalu' is a pure love story that will emotionally connect with everyone: Ananthika Sunilkumar
'8 Vasanthalu' is a concept-centric movie directed by Phanindra Narsetti and produced by Pan-India production house Mythri Movie Makers. Ananthika Sunilkumar plays the lead role. Produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar, '8 Vasanthalu' promises to deliver a soulful cinematic experience. The promotional content released so far has received a positive response. The movie is set to release worldwide on June 20. On this occasion, heroine Ananthika Sunilkumar shared key highlights of the film in a press conference. Looking at the promotional material, does it seem like this story revolves around you? This is a story about women. Although the girl's role is crucial, all other characters are equally important. Every character has depth and layers. Why did you choose this film after 'Mad'? I waited for a good story, and this one had everything I was looking for. I wanted action, emotion, and a beautiful love story — all of which were part of this film. The character offers great scope for performance. I connected deeply with the story when I read it. I literally cried. It's such an emotional narrative. I play the role of Shuddhi Ayogya — a writer with a martial arts background. What is special about this love story? This is a very pure love story. It gives the feeling of watching real life. It's relatable to people of all age groups. How did you prepare for the role? I already have a black belt, but for this film, I learned Kalari fighting and Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art. I trained with Anji Master for three months. What about your co-actors? Hanu Reddy is a very good actor — he picks up things very quickly. Ravi is also very talented and can deliver long dialogues with ease. About director Phanindra Narsetti? Phanindra is like a teacher to me. I've learned so much from him. He has a clear vision and is a passionate filmmaker. Working with him has been a great experience. Shuddhi Ayogya is a very emotional character. How did you feel after the shoot? When I looked in the mirror after returning home, I felt a strange emptiness. The character left a strong emotional impact on me. It's a very memorable role. Working with Mythri Movie Makers? It was a wonderful experience. I thank the producers for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. They were very supportive throughout. It takes courage to back a story like this. About the music? Hesham has composed two beautiful songs, and both have been well-received by the audience. The background score is also outstanding. If you weren't an actor, what would you be? I would become a politician. That's why I'm studying law. But not now — maybe when I turn 40 (laughs). Any dream roles? I love powerful and strong roles — roles that challenge me as a performer.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Foundation aims to revive Tulu Nadu Kalari
Mangaluru: The Tulu World Foundation , an organisation dedicated to promoting the Tulu language and culture, aims to resurrect Tulu Nadu Kalari , a traditional martial art form that shares historical connections with Kerala's kalari payattu . The Foundation has initiated discussions to discover and document information about Tulu Nadu Kalari, particularly during a period when awareness about this martial art form and its links to Karnataka's coastal regions remains limited among the general population. Rajesh Alva, founder of the Tulu World Foundation, said that Kalari Payattu, renowned as one of the world's oldest martial arts, shares a strong bond with Tulu Nadu. In Kerala, it is also referred to as 'Tulu Nadu Kalari.' "Historical evidence shows that many kings and military leaders once travelled to Tulu Nadu to learn Kalari Payattu," Alva said. Koti and Chennaya, the twin warriors of Tulu Nadu, worked hard to preserve this art through their training centres, he said. "There are records of their teacher, Nanayya, receiving villages as grants from the kings of Kerala. Similarly, the bravery of the twin heroes Mudda Kalaler and Kanada Katader has its roots in kalari. In kalari payattu, 64 out of 108 vital points are significant. It not only provides physical and mental health but also includes combat strategies, blindfold techniques, and guerrilla tactics. The presiding deities of this art are referred to as Tuluveshwari, Khadgeshwari, Kalari Jumadi, Mankali, Deyi, and others," he said. Stating that this knowledge has diminished in Tulu Nadu, he said that only folk traditions remain, with no prominence given to martial arts. "It is our duty to revive this sacred knowledge. It will not only provide physical and mental strength to the younger generation but also offer employment opportunities. With the aim of reviving this, we organised a seminar and discussion forum on the topic of Kalari and Tulu Nadu. It will be held on May 24 at the Degree College of Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Kateel," he said, adding that experts and scholars from Kerala and coastal districts, who conducted studies on the martial arts, will take part in the seminar.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
India's sword-wielding grandmother still going strong at 82
An 82-year-old woman who teaches the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu says she has no plans to retire. "I'll probably practise Kalari until the day I die," says Meenakshi Raghavan, widely thought to be the oldest woman in the world to practise the art form. Kalaripayattu - kalari means battleground and payattu means fight - is believed to have originated at least 3,000 years back in the southern state of Kerala and is regarded as India's oldest martial art. It is not solely practised for combat or fighting; it also serves to instil discipline, build strength and develop self-defence skills. Ms Raghavan is fondly known as Meenakshi Amma - Amma means mother in the Malayalam language - in Kerala's Vadakara, where she lives. The town is also home to other renowned exponents of the art like Unniyarcha, Aromal Chekavar and Thacholi Othenan. Meenakshi Amma occasionally performs in other cities but mainly runs her own Kalari school, founded by her husband in 1950. Her days are busy, with classes from five in the morning to noon. "I teach about 50 students daily. My four children were also trained [in the art form] by me and my husband. They started learning from the age of six," she says. Kalaripayattu has four stages and it requires patience to learn the art form. Training begins with meypattu - an oil massage followed by exercises to condition the body. After about two years, students progress to kolthari (stick fighting), then to angathari (weapon combat), and finally to verumkai - the highest level, involving unarmed combat. It typically takes up to five years to master Kalaripayattu. Kung fu is believed to have adapted principles like breathing techniques and marmashastra (stimulating vital points to optimise energy flow) from Kalaripayattu, according to Vinod Kadangal, another Kalari teacher. Legend has it that around the 6th Century, Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma introduced these techniques to the Shaolin monks, influencing the more famous Chinese martial art. Meenakshi Amma still recalls the first time she stepped into a Kalari - the red-earth arena where the art is practised - 75 years ago. "I was seven and quite good at dancing. So my guru - VP Raghavan - approached my father and suggested that I learn Kalaripayattu. Just like dance, the art form requires you to be flexible," she says. Hailing from Kerala's Thiyya community, Meenakshi Amma's guru was 15 when he and his brothers opened their own Kalaripayattu school after being denied admission elsewhere because of their low social caste. "There was no bias when it came to girls enrolling to study Kalari - in fact, physical education was compulsory in all Kerala schools at that time. But we were expected to stop after attaining puberty," she says. Unlike others, Meenakshi Amma's father encouraged her training into her late teens. At 17, she fell in love with Raghavan, and they soon married. Together, they went on to train hundreds of students, often for free. "At the time, a lot of children came from poor families. The only money he [Raghavan] accepted was in the form of dakshina or a tribute paid to the teacher," she says. Donations sustained the school, while Raghavan later took a teaching job for extra income. After his death in 2007, Meenakshi Amma formally took charge. While she has no plans to retire at the moment, she hopes to hand over the school one day to her eldest son Sanjeev. The 62-year-old, who is also an instructor at the school, says he is lucky to have learnt from the best - his mother. But being her son earns no favours; he says she's still his toughest opponent. Meenakshi Amma is a local celebrity. During our interview, three politicians drop by to invite her to an awards ceremony. "Amma, you must grace us with your presence," one of them says with folded hands. "Thank you for considering me, I'll attend," she replies. Her students speak of "fierce admiration" for her. Many have opened their own Kalari schools across the state, a source of great pride for Meenakshi Amma. "She's an inspiration to women everywhere - a rare person who shows love and affection to her students, yet remains a strict disciplinarian when it comes to Kalari," says KF Thomas, a former student. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook. Meet the 73-year-old martial arts star The only living master of a dying martial art India's grandmother-granddaughter karate champs
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
India's sword-wielding grandmother still going strong at 82
An 82-year-old woman who teaches the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu says she has no plans to retire. "I'll probably practise Kalari until the day I die," says Meenakshi Raghavan, widely thought to be the oldest woman in the world to practise the art form. Kalaripayattu - kalari means battleground and payattu means fight - is believed to have originated at least 3,000 years back in the southern state of Kerala and is regarded as India's oldest martial art. It is not solely practised for combat or fighting; it also serves to instil discipline, build strength and develop self-defence skills. Ms Raghavan is fondly known as Meenakshi Amma - Amma means mother in the Malayalam language - in Kerala's Vadakara, where she lives. The town is also home to other renowned exponents of the art like Unniyarcha, Aromal Chekavar and Thacholi Othenan. Meenakshi Amma occasionally performs in other cities but mainly runs her own Kalari school, founded by her husband in 1950. Her days are busy, with classes from five in the morning to noon. "I teach about 50 students daily. My four children were also trained [in the art form] by me and my husband. They started learning from the age of six," she says. Kalaripayattu has four stages and it requires patience to learn the art form. Training begins with meypattu - an oil massage followed by exercises to condition the body. After about two years, students progress to kolthari (stick fighting), then to angathari (weapon combat), and finally to verumkai - the highest level, involving unarmed combat. It typically takes up to five years to master Kalaripayattu. Kung fu is believed to have adapted principles like breathing techniques and marmashastra (stimulating vital points to optimise energy flow) from Kalaripayattu, according to Vinod Kadangal, another Kalari teacher. Legend has it that around the 6th Century, Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma introduced these techniques to the Shaolin monks, influencing the more famous Chinese martial art. Meenakshi Amma still recalls the first time she stepped into a Kalari - the red-earth arena where the art is practised - 75 years ago. "I was seven and quite good at dancing. So my guru - VP Raghavan - approached my father and suggested that I learn Kalaripayattu. Just like dance, the art form requires you to be flexible," she says. Hailing from Kerala's Thiyya community, Meenakshi Amma's guru was 15 when he and his brothers opened their own Kalaripayattu school after being denied admission elsewhere because of their low social caste. "There was no bias when it came to girls enrolling to study Kalari - in fact, physical education was compulsory in all Kerala schools at that time. But we were expected to stop after attaining puberty," she says. Unlike others, Meenakshi Amma's father encouraged her training into her late teens. At 17, she fell in love with Raghavan, and they soon married. Together, they went on to train hundreds of students, often for free. "At the time, a lot of children came from poor families. The only money he [Raghavan] accepted was in the form of dakshina or a tribute paid to the teacher," she says. Donations sustained the school, while Raghavan later took a teaching job for extra income. After his death in 2007, Meenakshi Amma formally took charge. While she has no plans to retire at the moment, she hopes to hand over the school one day to her eldest son Sanjeev. The 62-year-old, who is also an instructor at the school, says he is lucky to have learnt from the best - his mother. But being her son earns no favours; he says she's still his toughest opponent. Meenakshi Amma is a local celebrity. During our interview, three politicians drop by to invite her to an awards ceremony. "Amma, you must grace us with your presence," one of them says with folded hands. "Thank you for considering me, I'll attend," she replies. Her students speak of "fierce admiration" for her. Many have opened their own Kalari schools across the state, a source of great pride for Meenakshi Amma. "She's an inspiration to women everywhere - a rare person who shows love and affection to her students, yet remains a strict disciplinarian when it comes to Kalari," says KF Thomas, a former student. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook. Meet the 73-year-old martial arts star The only living master of a dying martial art India's grandmother-granddaughter karate champs
