Vatakara, Kerala, INDIA - September 23, 2017: Meenakshi Raghavan 'Gurukkhal, 76, demonstrates a 'Kalaripayattu' sword choreography at the 'Kadathanad Kalari Sangham' school and temple. Here, she teaches around 150 students of all ages and genders fighting techniques and weaponry.
Vatakara, Kerala, INDIA - September 17, 2017: Female students practice ’Kalaripayattu’ techniques. Since several rape cases in India received extensive media coverage and triggered protests in 2012, more young women have begun training at the school and an increasing number of parents allow their girls to train Kalaripayattu. Nowadays, one third of Meenakshi’s students are females aged between six and twenty-six.
Vatakara, Kerala, INDIA - September 18, 2017: Meenakshi Gurukkhal, 76, watches on as students practice Kalaripayattu techniques. Commonly all ‘Kalaripayattu’ grand masters are male. Meenakshi is an exception, being a female grand master that men respect and look up to.
Vatakara, Kerala, INDIA - September 16, 2017: Female students practice how to escape from grips. Since several rape cases in India received extensive media coverage and triggered protests in 2012, more young women have begun training at the school and an increasing number of parents allow their girls to train Kalaripayattu. Nowadays, one third of Meenakshi’s students are females aged between six and twenty-six.
Vatakara, Kerala, INDIA - September 17, 2017: Meenakshi Raghavan Gurukkhal, 76, presents her 'Padma Shri' award. In January 2017, Meenakshi received the ‘Padma Shri’ award, one of the highest civilian awards in the Republic of India, for her lifelong commitment to Kalaripayattu. Since then, she is celebrated as a national hero. Meenakshi is frequently invited to speak at events. She uses the exposure to encourage all females to practice Kalaripayattu, to be able to defend themselves. Her strength is an inspiration to many.
Perambra, Kerala, INDIA - September 25, 2017: Meenakshi Raghavan 'Gurukkhal', 76, is greeted by a parade in her honor as she attends a sports competition at Perambra Higher Secondary School. Meenakshi is invited to speak at the event. During her speech she encourages all females to practice Kalaripayattu, to be able to defend themselves. Her strength is an inspiration to many.
Vatakara, Kerala, INDIA - September 21, 2017: Meenakshi Raghavan 'Gurukkhal', 76, poses for snapshots with fans. She is a role model and an inspiration for young females.
Vatakara, Kerala, INDIA - September 12, 2017: Meenakshi Raghavan 'Gurukkhal' (L), 76, shows her Sari collection to her grand-children Lena (C), 14, and Jithin (R), 27. When Meenakshi was a young woman, she owned only four Saris and dreamt of owning a variety, she recalls. Nowadays, she has more Saris than she can count. She always wears a Sari, even when practising Kalaripayattu.
Vatakara, Kerala, INDIA - September 12, 2017: One of many trophies that were given to Meenakshi rests on a window still in her house.
