Phillip Zarrilli
Encyclopedia
Phillip Zarrilli is a British practitioner of the Indian martial arts of Kalarippayattu
and Marma Adi. Zarrilli has also trained in variations of Yoga
, the Wu style of T'ai chi ch'uan, and is one of the notable Western
authorities on the subject of Indian martial arts.
Zarrilli trained with Gurukkal
Govindankutty Nair
in 1977. He made repeated trips to India
to engage in advanced training in Kalarippayattu. Between 1977-1998, Zarrilli spent a total of seven years living in Kerala
learning Kalarippayattu. Zarrilli was the first citizen from a Western country to receive his teacher's permission to teach Kalarippayattu. He began teaching in the United States
in 1978 following a period of advanced training under Gurukkal Govindankutty Nair. In 1988 Gurukkal Govindankutty Nair awarded him the traditional pitham—a seat on which past masters "sit," signifying mastery.
Zarrilli heads the Tyn-y-parc CVN Kalari in Llanarth
, Ceredigion
, Wales
, a private studio, and conducts workshops throughout the world. His productions of Samuel Beckett's plays in Los Angeles (2000), Austria (2001), and Ireland (2004) have won critical acclaim and awards for "best actress" and "courageous production" in Los Angeles
, US.
Phillip Zarrilli is also a practitioner of classical Indian dance
- including Kathakali
. He has worked with Indian choreographers on several international projects.Together with bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Gitanjali Kolanad, Zarrilli opened Walking Naked in Chennai and in 2004 went on tour in Mumbai, London, Seoul, New York, and Toronto. He adapted and directed a seventh century Sanskrit farce for the Sangalpam, a UK based- dance and Theater Company in 2003 and went on to perform it at the Purcell Room and the Queen Elizabeth Hall (Royal National Theater, London).
Zarrilli authored the first definitive study of Kalarippayattu, "When the Body Becomes All Eyes: paradigms and practices of power in kalarippayattu" published by Oxford University Press
(1998/2000). In addition, Zarrilli has also authored several books including (editor) Acting (Re)Considered (2002), When the Body Becomes All Eyes (1998), Kathakali Dance-Drama: Where Gods and Demons Comes to Play (2000), and (editor) Martial Arts in Actor Training (1993). He also co-authored Wilhelm Tell in America's 'Little Switzerland', New Glarus, Wisconsin
with Deborah Neff (1987) and co-edited Indian theatre: traditions of performance with Farley P. Richmond and Darius L. Swann (1990).
His article in Theater Journal entitled Toward a Phenomenological Model of the Actor's Embodied Modes of Experience 1, investigates the actor’s modes of embodiment and theorizes the actor’s experience in performance and the difficulty to express his experiences to the fullest on stage. Readdressing the work of Bert O. States, Bruce Wilshire
, Alice Rayner, and Stanton Garner on the disappearance of the "lived body" and embodiment in the creation of the theatrical event, Zarrilli further acknowledges the “Problem of the body” for actors.
“We organize the world we encounter into significant gestalts, but the body I call mine is not a body, or the body, but rather a process of embodying the several bodies one encounters in everyday experience as well as highly specialized modes of non-everyday or extra-daily bodies of practices such as acting or training in psychophysical disciplines to act” (Phillip B Zarrilli. Theatre Journal. Washington: Dec 2004. Vol. 56, Iss. 4; pg. 653, 14 pgs).
From 1979-1998, Zarrilli was the director of the Asian-Experimental Theatre Program at University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a member of the Theater and Drama, Folklore, and South Asian Studies faculties. While there, he developed his methods of training actors and performers through Asian martial arts and meditation.
In addition, Zarrilli also teaches psychophysical process as part of B.A.
and M.A.
/M.F.A. Theatre Practice programmes at the University of Exeter
, U.K.
Phillip B Zarrilli. Theatre Journal. Washington: Dec 2004. Vol. 56, Iss. 4; pg. 653, 14 pgs
Kalarippayattu
Kalaripayattu is a southern Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu but also practiced in contiguous parts of Kerala and Karnataka.Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods...
and Marma Adi. Zarrilli has also trained in variations of Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
, the Wu style of T'ai chi ch'uan, and is one of the notable Western
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
authorities on the subject of Indian martial arts.
Zarrilli trained with Gurukkal
Gurukkal
See different meaning for the word Gurukkal.*Gurukkal Brahmins - A sub-sect of Vadamas not recognized as one amongst them and whose duties are to worship at Temples....
Govindankutty Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
in 1977. He made repeated trips to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to engage in advanced training in Kalarippayattu. Between 1977-1998, Zarrilli spent a total of seven years living in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
learning Kalarippayattu. Zarrilli was the first citizen from a Western country to receive his teacher's permission to teach Kalarippayattu. He began teaching in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1978 following a period of advanced training under Gurukkal Govindankutty Nair. In 1988 Gurukkal Govindankutty Nair awarded him the traditional pitham—a seat on which past masters "sit," signifying mastery.
Zarrilli heads the Tyn-y-parc CVN Kalari in Llanarth
Llanarth
Llanarth may refer to:* Llanarth, Ceredigion* Llanarth, Monmouthshire...
, Ceredigion
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, a private studio, and conducts workshops throughout the world. His productions of Samuel Beckett's plays in Los Angeles (2000), Austria (2001), and Ireland (2004) have won critical acclaim and awards for "best actress" and "courageous production" in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, US.
Phillip Zarrilli is also a practitioner of classical Indian dance
Classical Indian dance
Indian classical dance is a relatively new umbrella term for various codified art forms rooted in Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles, whose theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni .- Definitions :...
- including Kathakali
Kathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
. He has worked with Indian choreographers on several international projects.Together with bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Gitanjali Kolanad, Zarrilli opened Walking Naked in Chennai and in 2004 went on tour in Mumbai, London, Seoul, New York, and Toronto. He adapted and directed a seventh century Sanskrit farce for the Sangalpam, a UK based- dance and Theater Company in 2003 and went on to perform it at the Purcell Room and the Queen Elizabeth Hall (Royal National Theater, London).
Zarrilli authored the first definitive study of Kalarippayattu, "When the Body Becomes All Eyes: paradigms and practices of power in kalarippayattu" published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
(1998/2000). In addition, Zarrilli has also authored several books including (editor) Acting (Re)Considered (2002), When the Body Becomes All Eyes (1998), Kathakali Dance-Drama: Where Gods and Demons Comes to Play (2000), and (editor) Martial Arts in Actor Training (1993). He also co-authored Wilhelm Tell in America's 'Little Switzerland', New Glarus, Wisconsin
New Glarus, Wisconsin
New Glarus is a village in Green County, Wisconsin, United States at the intersection of Wisconsin Highways 69 and 39. It has a population of 2,304 according to the 2010 census. Since 2000 it has had a population growth of 9.09 percent. The village, as well as the town that surrounds it, was named...
with Deborah Neff (1987) and co-edited Indian theatre: traditions of performance with Farley P. Richmond and Darius L. Swann (1990).
His article in Theater Journal entitled Toward a Phenomenological Model of the Actor's Embodied Modes of Experience 1, investigates the actor’s modes of embodiment and theorizes the actor’s experience in performance and the difficulty to express his experiences to the fullest on stage. Readdressing the work of Bert O. States, Bruce Wilshire
Bruce Wilshire
Bruce W. Wilshire is a Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University philosophy department, where he started teaching in 1970. He received his B.A from the University of Southern California and his M.A and Ph.D from New York University...
, Alice Rayner, and Stanton Garner on the disappearance of the "lived body" and embodiment in the creation of the theatrical event, Zarrilli further acknowledges the “Problem of the body” for actors.
“We organize the world we encounter into significant gestalts, but the body I call mine is not a body, or the body, but rather a process of embodying the several bodies one encounters in everyday experience as well as highly specialized modes of non-everyday or extra-daily bodies of practices such as acting or training in psychophysical disciplines to act” (Phillip B Zarrilli. Theatre Journal. Washington: Dec 2004. Vol. 56, Iss. 4; pg. 653, 14 pgs).
From 1979-1998, Zarrilli was the director of the Asian-Experimental Theatre Program at University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a member of the Theater and Drama, Folklore, and South Asian Studies faculties. While there, he developed his methods of training actors and performers through Asian martial arts and meditation.
In addition, Zarrilli also teaches psychophysical process as part of B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and M.A.
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
/M.F.A. Theatre Practice programmes at the University of Exeter
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
, U.K.
Phillip Zarrilli
- Phillip Zarrilli and Kalarippayattu/Martial Arts/Performance
- University of Exter: School of Performance Arts
- phillipzarrilli.com
- Books by Phillip Zarrilli
- http://www.spa.ex.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/zarrilli.html
- http://www.phillipzarrilli.com/biografy/index.html
Phillip B Zarrilli. Theatre Journal. Washington: Dec 2004. Vol. 56, Iss. 4; pg. 653, 14 pgs
Papers by Phillip Zarrilli
- Actualizing Power(s) and crafting a self in Kalarippayattu: A South Indian martial art and the Yoga and Ayurvedic Paradigms by Phillip Zarrilli, Ph.D.
- To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (Marmmam/Varmam) in Two South Indian Martial Traditions by Phillip B. Zarrilli, University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonThe University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
- Traditional Kerala (South India) Massage Therapies by Phillip Zarrilli