What is "adithada"

Adithada refers to the preliminary empty hand techniques of Varma kalai and southern kalari payat practiced in southern Kerala, Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka. The word adi means hitting and thada means to block. It is similar to kickboxing, Muay Thai, and karate. Adithada incorporates both grappling and striking concepts, and a detailed study of pressure points. Practitioners are trained in using bare knuckles, feet, knees, elbows and forehead as preparation for weapons training.