This art form was developed by the Mappilas of north Kerala as a folk art. It is a game played in the form of mock fight by boys holding short sticks in one hand and red straw-board shields in the other.

Training in Parisakali is imparted to boys in Kalaries specially set up for the purpose under the guidance of a Gurukkal. The Parisakali of North Malabar and Velakanni of Travancore are two other martial arts forms of Kerala, which involve considerable physical training and knowledge of the use of the arms.

Velakanni represents the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas at Kurukshetra, and is played out during the temple festival at Cherthala and Ambalapuzha as well as Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple at Thiruvananthapuram. There are also other martial arts forms of Kerala like Valeru which is sword throwing, Kunderu and Njaninmel Kali which is tightrope walking, which are performed in temple festivals. In recent times, the field of martial arts in Kerala has given the basis of circus training.

The art form of Parisakali requires physical training and the knowledge of the use of limbs. A considerable amount of physical training and practise is needed to acquire the the techniques of Parisakali.