1995 batch 'besties' reunite at Thiruvananthapuram Kalaripayattu arena

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Surya and Suchitra were soul mates when they were in 12th standard which was 25 years ago. The same friendship was revived when the two met at the State Kalari Championship held yesterday at Ayyangali Hall, Thiruvananthapuram.

It all started when the two were students of NSS College, Alappuzha. They were more like a family than friends, which ensured they sat on the same bench even after years when they were pursuing higher studies. Soon after, both of them saw marriage proposals coming their way and in no time they got hitched and moved separately. Surya and Suchitra, now living in their early 40s, used to accompany their children to martial arts classes often. It was at this juncture that a thought ran through their mind, and within just days, they were Kalari students in their 40s.

A native of Kalarcode, Alappuzha, Surya has been interested in martial arts since childhood. Her family barred her from the sport saying it was not meant for girls. When her son Gauri Shankar joined to learn karate at the age of seven, the old passion was rekindled.

Neelakantan, son of Suchitra, a native of Thathampally, has been practising Kalari since the age of six. Neelakantan's father Mahesh, who is an NCC driver, started a Kalari establishment at home last year after getting elated over the glorious feat his son secured with the sport.

Suchitra invited her friend Surya to the inauguration of 'Deepalika', the new marital arts school which changed fortunes for the two. While being at the event, Surya curtly asked Suchitra if she could learn martial arts from 'Deepalika'.

“If you join here, I will be along with you” Suchitra replied heartily to her friend.

Within just days, their mutual friend Deepa also joined to learn Kalari. Neelakandan gave initial lessons to his mother and her friends. Surya's husband Jyothis (an excise officer) and Suchitra's younger daughter Vaishnavi (nine years old) are also practising Kalari.

Nowadays, Surya, Suchitra and her friends just blabber about Kalari over the phone, and have nothing else to discuss. They are now training under the guidance of Komalan Gurukal.

Surya admits to getting rid of back pain and shortness of breath after training Kalari. Both Surya and Suchitra competed in the super senior category that took place in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

“ Suchitra is part of my life, I just want her and Kalari to be with me always” – Surya.