Adv. Poonthura Soman is the founder and Secretary General of the Indian Kalarippayattu Federation (IKF), and heads the Bhodhi Dharma Institute of Martial Arts in Poonthura, Thiruvananthapuram. Under his leadership, IKF grew from a regional initiative into the nationally recognized body for the promotion of Kalarippayattu, working with affiliated state associations across the country to train, certify, and organize competitions for practitioners of Kerala's ancient martial art.
His efforts were instrumental in Kalarippayattu's debut as a competitive discipline at the 37th National Games, held in Goa in November 2023—a landmark moment that brought the art form onto India's biggest multi-sport stage for the first time. Reflecting on the occasion, he said:
"It is indeed the mother of all martial arts. There is no doubt about that. It has been a huge honour for all of us that we got a chance to showcase this unique sporting event at the National Games in Goa."
He has long championed Kalarippayattu not merely as a combat sport but as a holistic discipline rooted in Kerala's cultural and medical traditions:
"Kalarippayattu is not just a physical discipline; it's deeply rooted in the philosophy of Ayurveda and yoga. The practice emphasises the balance of the mind, body, and spirit, making it appealing to those seeking a holistic approach to well-being."
On the Government of India's recognition of the federation, he remarked:
"We are thankful to the Government of India for giving us the recognition which we truly deserved for a long time. A sport like Kalarippayattu, which is deeply ingrained into the Indian ethos and culture, deserves to be promoted so that more youth take active interest in it."
Through decades of dedication, Adv. Poonthura Soman has helped carry Kalarippayattu from the village kalaris of Kerala to the national stage—training generations of practitioners while working to preserve the discipline, ethics, and healing traditions that have defined this ancient art form for centuries.