The urumi is most often used by whipping the sword in a circular or figure-eight motion at a consistent pace in front of the body, to ensure that the blades do not injure the person wielding the weapon. This is performed by experienced Kalaripayattu practitioners in pairs, armed with shields to defend themselves. Use of the urumi is introduced as one of the most advanced stages in Kalaripayattu training as the whip-like blade is very difficult to master. While the urumi can severely injure an opponent, even curling around the edge of the shield, improper usage can also be dangerous for the user. Students of Kalaripayattu begin urumi training by using a piece of cloth to practise the whipping technique required to use the sword. 

While the extent of its historic use in actual martial combat is not known, it is presumed that it was probably used chiefly as a defensive weapon, its dangerous movement making it difficult for an opponent to approach. The urumi was incorporated into the present form of Kalaripayattu as part of the 1920s revival of the martial art by pioneering exponents CV Narayanan Nayar and Kottakkal Karnaran Gurukkal. Such efforts promoting various southern Indian traditions as a reaction to colonial rule succeeded in reviving various ancient knowledge systems, combining and organising them into healing and performative techniques that are extensively practised today.