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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
'''Meenakshi Amma''' (born 1941) is a practitioner and teacher of [[Kalaripayattu]], the traditional [[martial arts]] form of [[Kerala]], India. In 2017, she received [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth highest civilian award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/six-decades-on-74-year-old-padma-shri-awardee-gurukkal-still-swirling-the-sword/story-lQPhIRbsS3FjBsjlvHdZrJ.html |title=Six decades on, 74-year-old Padma Shri awardee Gurukkal still swirling the sword |publisher=Hindustan Times |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Chethana Prakasan |url=http://www.india.com/lifestyle/meet-padmashree-2017-award-winner-meenakshi-amma-this-granny-with-a-sword-will-inspire-you-to-stay-active-1787911/ |title=Meet Padmashree 2017 award winner Meenakshi Amma: This granny with a sword will inspire you to stay active |publisher=India.com |date=2017-01-27 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> She is from [[Vadakara]], a town in northern Kerala. Every year, 150-160 students learn the martial arts in her school Kadathanadan Kalari Sangam, where she is teaching for more than 56 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/meenakshi-amma-granny-with-a-sword/photostory/56780566.cms |title=Padma Shri Awards: Meenakshi Amma: Granny with a sword |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2017-01-25 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/lifestyle/society/meenakshiamma-kalari-maestro-kalaripayattu-vatakara.html |title=Meet Kerala's 'Iron Lady': Meenakshiamma, the 73-year-old Kalaripayattu maestro | Video | Meenakshiamma | Kalaripayattu | Vatakara | Kozhikode | Kerala | Kadathanad | Martial arts | kalari | traditional martial arts |publisher=English.manoramaonline.com |date=2016-08-25 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> Meenakshi Amma was introduced to Kalaripayattu at the age of seven under V P Raghavan Master, whom she married at the age of 17. After her husband's death in 2007, Meenakshi Amma took over the reins of the Kadathanattu Kalari Sangham established by her husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/defying-age-sword-meenakshi-gurrukkal-keralas-grand-old-kalaripayattu-dame-38620 |title=Defying age with a sword: Meenakshi Gurrukkal, Kerala’s grand old Kalaripayattu dame |publisher=The News Minute |date=2016-02-06 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref> She is well-versed in using all the weapons ranging from the stick to the urumi, which even the experts find difficult to master.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/580737/fight-betterment.html |title=The fight for betterment |publisher=Deccanherald.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/viral-videos-trending/meenakshiamma-kalaripayattu-2877207/ |title=Watch: 76-yr-old woman performs martial arts with man half her age |publisher=The Indian Express |date=2016-06-27 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kadapa |first=Surekha |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/108429/meenakshi-gurukkal-oldest-kalaripayattu-practitioner-from-kerala/ |title=Kerala's Kalaripayattu Lady Is the Oldest Woman to Practice the Martial Art |publisher=Thebetterindia.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref><ref>
https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/meenakshi-amma-the-grand-old-dame-of-kalaripayattu/article25307782.ece</ref>

The Kalari, which is visited by many students even from abroad, still maintains the traditional value system. There is no fee for the classes and money is accepted in the form of dakshina and expenses for the oil used in Kalari.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/padma-awards-moment-of-glory-for-kerala/articleshow/56788969.cms |title=Padma awards: Moment of glory for Kerala | Kochi News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>

Meenakshi Amma's family is also into Kalarippayattu.<ref name"Thiyya"> Meet Padma Shri Meenakshi Gurukkal, the grand old dame of Kalaripayattu | The News Minute
[https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/meet-padma-shri-meenakshi-gurukkal-grand-old-dame-kalaripayattu-56274.Meet Padma Shri Meenakshi Kurikkal] </ref>Her two sons and two daughters also started practicing Kalaripayattu from the young age of six. One of her sons is also a 'Gurukkal'( kalaripayattu teacher) now.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/170938-Padma-Shri-honour-for-Meenakshi-Amma-Kerala-s-oldest-woman-KalariGurukkal-now.aspx |title=Padma Shri honour for Meenakshi Amma - Kerala’s oldest woman KalariGurukkal now in her seventies |publisher=Indiastudychannel.com |date=2017-02-22 |accessdate=2018-01-29}}</ref>
==See also==
Kottakkal Kanaran Gurukkal

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amma, Meenakshi}}
[[Category:Kalarippayattu practitioners]]
[[Category:Indian female martial artists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in other fields]]
[[Category:1941 births]]

Meenakshi Amma - Revision history

>Explicit at 11:00, 2 June 2021