ALAPPUZHA: Kalaripayattu expert Harikrishna does not like to lose. He always wants to win. In 2019, this Alappuzha-native broke the Guinness record of an American by chopping off 63 pineapples placed on the heads of people in just 29 seconds using a sword. The American had chopped 33 pineapples in 29 seconds. Hari, who became a Kalari Guru at the age of 19, used to earn Rs 1.5 lakh per month before the pandemic.

Many people had questioned him when he decided to quit nursing to take up Kalaripayattu as his profession. However, Hari was not ready to give up his dreams. 26-year-old Hari started learning Kalari at the age of 10. He has now become an expert in various styles of the martial art form including Vadakkan, Thekkan, Thulunadan, Madhyakeralam and Lahalamura. Hari, who studied Ayurveda nursing, worked as a nurse for three years before quitting.

Kalari Guru

Hari has been teaching Kalari in about 15 centres for six years. Due to the Covid crisis, classes are currently taking place at only four centres in Alappuzha. He has nearly 1800 disciples between the ages of four and 68. He even has some foreign disciples. His brother Sarathchandran is also a national champion in Kalari. Hari's grandfather Ramachandran Nair, who was a soldier, is also a Kalari expert.

Achievements

Limca Book of Records, Arabian Book of World Records, Indian Book of Records, state and national awards, Tamil Nadu state award for martial arts for Silambam.