Pawan Kalyan inducted into Japanese swordsmanship tradition

Actor and Andhra Pradesh’s deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan has formally joined Kenjutsu, the umbrella term for classical Japanese swordsmanship traditions, an official release said.

The release describes the induction as international recognition of more than three decades of training, research, and long-term practice.

Kalyan began practising martial arts well before he entered cinema and politics, the statement said. In his early years in Chennai, he trained intensively in karate and related disciplines, building a strong technical and philosophical base.

Over time, he moved beyond fitness and combat skills. He also pursued a deeper study of Japanese samurai martial traditions, which the release said he followed with “exceptional seriousness”.

The release said Kalyan has earned several international honours. These include the rank of Fifth Dan (5th Dan) from the Sogo Budo Kanri Kai, a respected authority in traditional Japanese martial arts.

It also said he became the first Telugu-speaking person to join the Takeda Shingen Clan outside Japan, under the lineage of Soke Muramatsu Sensei. The statement called it a rare honour for non-Japanese practitioners.

The Golden Dragons organisation also honoured him with the title “Tiger of Martial Arts”, the release said.

As part of advanced training, Kalyan studied under Hanshi Professor Dr Siddiq Mahmoodi, whom the release described as one of India’s leading exponents of Japanese martial arts. Under Mahmoodi’s mentorship, he trained in Kendo, the statement said.

The release said the induction places Kalyan among a small group of Indian public figures who connect cinema with classical martial arts and martial philosophy on an international stage.