There are generally three types of kalaris namely Tulunadan, Malanadan and southern kalari (Venadan kalari). Apart from this, Kalari is also distributed in Northern, Southern and Madhya Kerala methods.
The Tulu Nadan Kalari existed in the regions of present-day Kerala and South Karnataka. Like the local kalaris, the places where kalari were practiced were known as garadis in Tulunadu. Tulunadan Kalari was famous for weapon fight. Even those who have practiced other kalaris in the past used to study Tulu nadan kalari to gain more skill in kalari. However, today there are no active Kalaris in Tulunadu.
Northern Kalari is the Kalari which originated from present day North Malabar region. There are various Muras in Northern Kalari like Vatten Thirippan Kalari, Kadattanadan Mura and Arappakai. In some places in Northern Kalari, apart from Kalari, the art forms of Paricha Mutt Kali and Kol Kali are practiced. Many of the muras that are popular today belong to the Arappakai sect of Northern Kalari.
The southern kalari is very different from the northern kalari in terms of steps. May Payat is practiced in 18 adavus in northern Kalari, but in southern Kalari there are sixty-four steps as Ottachuvadu Kuttachuvadu. In terms of weapons, single-bladed, double-bladed, long-bladed knife, cut-bladed knife, axe, and sword are also used in Southern Kalari.
