By Jilawatan

Learning Kalaripayuttu has completely transformed Asin’s attitude towards life, art, family and identity.

On the surface, she has learnt to be fully self-sufficient. “I’ve to wake up at 6.30 every morning to start working with various gurus in Trivandrum. It’s like going back to school. Only, my father doesn’t reach me to the gates,” she says. The movements are not easy to master and the actress admits,

“Fortunately, I’m a dancer and that helped me get the postures and movements right, although it’s very painful.” The discipline is so rewarding that she has taken it upon herself to be the ambassador of the martial art. “We think of Kalaripayuttu as this ancient and obsolete art. But the truth is, it is widely learnt and practised in Kerala by students of both sexes. I’m amazed at how popular the discipline is in Kerala, and even more astonished by how much it has changed my attitude towards life and career. I’ll continue to pursue it for the rest of my life,” she says. Way to go, Asin!