Martial artists move HC against IGNOU course

KOCHI: The Kerala Kalaripayattu Association has approached the High Court against the Indira Gandhi National Open University’s (IGNOU) decision to conduct a certificate course in Kalaripayattu and Marma Chikitsa. Kozhikode district committee secretary M K Rajagopalan filed the petition seeking to call for the records and quash the decision taken by the university. The petitioner said the ancient martial art form Kalaripayattu requires hardcore training and practice of at least six to seven years. “The martial art form cannot be taught through short-term courses,” the petitioner said.