Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:37pm on 20 Apr 2025,Sunday India
Meenakshi Raghavan, 82, affectionately known as Meenakshi Amma, is the oldest known female practitioner and teacher of Kalaripayattu, India’s ancient martial art. Based in Vadakara, Kerala, she trains around 50 students daily at her Kalari school, founded by her husband in 1950. Amma began learning at age seven and has been a beacon of discipline, resilience, and empowerment ever since. Despite her age, she performs, teaches, and inspires students across Kerala, many of whom have gone on to open their own schools. She hopes to one day pass the torch to her eldest son, Sanjeev. (PC: Meenakshi Raghavan)