Varma kalai

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Varma kalai (Tamil: வர்மக்கலை, Malayalam: വർമക്കല, Telugu: మర్మయుద్దకళ, Sanskrit: marma vidya, Sinhala: maru kala) is a south Indian word meaning "art of vital points". It is a component of traditional massage, medicine, and martial arts[1] in which the body's pressure points (varma or marma) are manipulated to heal or cause harm. The healing application called vaidhiya murai is used to treat patients suffering from paralysis, nervous disorder, spondylitis and other conditions. Its combat application is known as varma adi or marma adi, meaning "pressure point striking". Usually taught as an advanced aspect of unarmed Indian fighting systems,[2] strikes are targeted at the nerves, veins, tendons, organs and bone joints.[3]

Folklore traces varma kalai to the god Shiva who is said to have taught to his son Murugan. While disguised as an old man, Murugan passed the knowledge of varmam to the sage Agastya[4] who then recorded it and disseminated the skill among his students.

Varmam

Altogether the human body is said to have 108 pressure points known as varmam or marma. Their number on each part of the body is as follows.

Vital Points Part of Human body
25 From head to neck
45 From neck to navel
9 From navel to arm
14 Arms
15 Legs

Siddha medicine explains the varmam as:

Vital Points Functions
64 Vadha Varmam
24 Pitha Varmam
6 Kaba Varmam
6 Ul Varmam
8 Thattu Varmam

South Asian martial arts categorise the varmam as:

  • Thodu Varmam
96 vital points triggered by a touch. Not deadly, but will affect the victim by disabling the body, organ movements and function.
  • Padu Varmam
12 vital points that are fatal, causing immediate, severe effects upon the victim.
  • Thattu Varmam
Decisive vital points that are used by the master. These are kept confidential until the master passes on the knowledge to the selected disciple
  • Nooku Varmam or Meitheenda Kalai
Striking vital points from a distance using energy alone.
  • Uuthu Varmam
Vital points triggered by a blow of air from mouth. For example, chewing garlic and blowing the air into the ears to trigger the varmam for recovery from heat. Not deadly, but will affect the victim either positively or adversely.
  • Nakku Varmam
Vital points triggered by licking at sensitive organ such as the eyes. Not deadly, but will affect the victim as above.

Texts

Extant varma kalai manuals include the following.

  • Agasthiyar Varma Thiravukol
  • Agasthiyar Varma Kandi
  • Agasthiyar Oosi Murai Varmam
  • Agasthiyar Vasi Varmam
  • Varma Odivu Murivu
  • Agasthiyar Varma Kannadi
  • Varma Varisai
  • Agasthiyar Mei Theendakalai

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tamilnadu - Varma Kalai". Tamilnadu.com. 26 December 2012. 
  2. ↑ Stevens, B; From Lee to Li, HarperCollins 2009 ISBN 9780007347414
  3. ↑ Master Murugan, Chillayah (20 October 2012). "Silambam and Varma Kalai Art". Silambam. Retrieved 31 May 2013. 
  4. ↑ Luijendijk, D.H. (2005) Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art, Paladin Press
  • Tamizhagattin Veerakalaigal by Varma kalai Arasan Dr. K. Kannan Aasan

External links

  • www.silambam.asia Varma Kalai Vital Pressure Points
  • To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (Marmmam/Varmam) in Two South Indian Martial Traditions
  • Tamil Nadu Varma Kalai Association
  • www.silambam.in Varma Kalai by Mahesh Kumar

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