Which is the oldest martial art form that still exists...?

Answer 1

Discovery channel in Asia notes that Kalarippayattu may be one of the oldest martial arts in existence. The martial tradition of Kalarippayattu is also dated to ancient Dravidian traditions. Phillip Zarrilli, a professor at the University of Exeter and one of the few Western authorities on kalaripayattu, estimates that kalarippayattu dates back to at least the 12th century CE. The historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai attributes the birth of Kalarippayattu to an extended period of warfare between the Cheras and the Cholas in the 11th century CE. What eventually crystalised into this style is thought to have been a product of existing South Indian styles of combat, combined with techniquies brought by migration from the north along the western coast. The oldest Western reference to Kalarippayattu is a 16th century travelogue of Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese explorer. The Southern style, which places more emphesis on open hand combat has mainly been practiced by the Tamil speaking regions, at least for the last few centuries.

Answer 2

I would think boxing or wrestling.... both are seen in modern martial arts and both are sports even today. From Native Americans to Western and Eastnerns... boxing and wrestling existed. As far as the other arts go... Some Karate forms are not that old, although the roots to it are deep, TKD was established from an older form so it is not the same nor should it be, Kung fu has evolved and suffered many issues with government repression, the India art Kaliprati has very deep roots and is still practiced there. There are links that cannot be verified that go from India to China and Shaolin Temple. Since the Shaolin temple was destroyed repeatedly this is hard to reconstruct. It is great that a martial art may or may not have deep history, just the same, as many greats said, your style needs to evolve. Some greats who have echoed that: Ed Parker, Bruce Lee, Yip man, etc. etc.

Answer 3

This is a very debatable subject, modern kung fu is one of the oldest, and it derivated from shaolin boxing, greco-roman wrestling is also ancient, predating many of the martial arts. I don't think you can just say that "one" is the oldest, but because there are no written records on when one started, you should name "oldest 3 martial arts" or something like that.

Answer 4

I somehow believe in this.

Legend traces the 3000-year-old art form to Sage Parasurama- the master of all martial art forms and credited to be the re-claimer of Kerala from the Arabian Sea. Kalaripayattu originated in ancient South India. Kung- fu, popularized by the monks of the Shoaling Temple traces its ancestry to Bodhi Dharma - an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master.

Crafted in ancient South India drawing inspiration from the raw power and sinuous strength of the majestic animal forms - Lion, Tiger, Elephant, Wild Boar, Snake, and Crocodile ........ Kalaripayattu laid down the combat code of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas. Shrouded in deep mystery and mists of secrecy Kalaripayattu was taught by the masters in total isolation, away from prying eyes.
Following the collapse of the princely states and the advent of free India - Kalaripayattu has lost its significance as a mortal combat code. In a Phoenix-like resurrection, Kalaripayattu is today emerging in a new avatar - an ancient art form - a source of inspiration for self-expression in dance forms - both traditional and contemporary, in theatre, in fitness and in movies too.

Answer 5

the martial arts such as karate or kung fu have a surprise origin.. in India there is an ancient art form of swords and wrestling called "KILARI PAYATTU" centuries ago the temples in china used to b plundered and the monks had no way of protecting them.. it is believed that some of these monks travelled to India where they were thaught alayapattu. this was later on modified into various martial arts of the east.. but basically the oldest martial art is KILARI PAYATTU:-)

Answer 6

Kalaripayattu is the oldest form of martial art practiced in Malabar , Kerala which is still being practiced

Answer 7

Kalaripayattu which is practised northern part of Kerala.As per the THALI -OLA [writing on palm leave] and folk songs this martial art was practised in this area much earlier to the arrival of Vasco D gama and as early as the history of southern India.THEYYAM ATTAM, also incorporates some of the physical flexibility and agileness of kalaripayattu.

Answer 8

according to the methology the oldest martial art form was "kalari"
this acceant art form is still practised in Kerala(India).
According to the aceant Indian History this form was thought to monks who latter spread this art in china

Answer 9

Kalaripayattu is the oldest form of martial art and still exists. Karate is the corrupted name of Kalaripayattu. It is even now practised in Kerala, India

Answer 10

i think in India only the oldest form of martial arts exists..its kallari paith of kerala