The Government today recognized the Indian Kalarippayattu Federation (IKF) as a Regional Sports Federation. A statement by the Sports Ministry today said that this recognition has been given with a view to granting a major role to the Indian Kalarippayattu Federation for promotion and development of Kalarippayattu sport in India. Kalarippayattu is a form of martial art which originated from Kerala , which still has a mass base in the state.