Performing Bodies and Physical Cultures

Abstract

The ‘circus kalaris’ were established in north Malabar during the beginning of the twentieth century where a ‘new’ and ‘modern’ physical culture was shaped. It was undoubtedly a radical refashioning of a space, of kalaripayatt, that emerged out of the caste system and was sanctioned by its tradition. Circus kalaris were training centres where women and men from different communities got trained and went on to become renowned artistes. The chapter tries to look at how the ‘traditional’ physical cultures and the European acrobatic practices have been important in the making of an acrobatic culture of Indian circus. This chapter also looks into the influences of different indigenous medicinal systems such as Ayurveda and dietary practices.