imported>HAUDesiree: Refined content and updated sections

2026-03-17T15:35:49Z

Refined content and updated sections

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:05, 17 March 2026
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2019}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2019}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2019}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2019}}
	'''Varma Kalai''' ([[Tamil language\|Tamil]]: ''~~varmakkalai~~'', ~~[[Malayalam]] and [[Sanskrit]]:~~ ''~~marma-vidya~~'', [[~~Sinhala language\|Sinhala~~]]: ~~''maru kalā'',~~ [[~~Telugu language\|Telugu~~]]: ''marma-vidya ~~kaḷa~~'') is an Indian traditional art of ~~vital points. It originated in present-day kanyakumari,~~ [[~~Tamil Nadu~~]]. It combines massage, alternative medicine, traditional yoga and [[Indian martial arts\|martial arts]]<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://tamilnadu.com/arts/varma-kalai.html \|title=Tamilnadu - Varma Kalai\|publisher=Tamilnadu.com\|date=26 December 2012}}</ref> in which the body's ~~[[Pressure point\|~~pressure points]] (''varmam'') are manipulated to heal or cause harm. The healing application called ''Vaidhiya Murai'' is part of [[Siddha medicine]] (''siddha vaidyam'').<ref name="uk">{{cite web\|author=Guruji Murugan Chillayah\|publisher=[[Silambam]]\|title=Silambam and Varma Kalai Art \|date=20 October 2012\|url=~~http~~://silambam.~~asia~~/varmakalai.html\|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref>		{{Hinduism \|schools}}
			'''Varma Kalai''' ([[Tamil language\|Tamil]]: ''வர்மக்கலை'', varmakalai), also known as '''Marma Vidhya''' ( [[Malayalam]]: മർമ്മ വിദ്യ and [[Sanskrit]]: ''marma-vidya/marmam'') is an Indian traditional art of [[Pressure point\|pressure points]]. It combines massage, alternative medicine, traditional yoga and [[Indian martial arts\|martial arts]]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://tamilnadu.com/arts/varma-kalai.html\|title=Tamilnadu - Varma Kalai\|publisher=Tamilnadu.com\|date=26 December 2012\|access-date=21 February 2013\|archive-date=3 March 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303043545/http://tamilnadu.com/arts/varma-kalai.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref> in which the body's pressure points (''varmam'') are manipulated to heal or cause harm. The healing application called ''Vaidhiya Murai'' is part of [[Siddha medicine]] (''siddha vaidyam'').<ref name="varmakalai">{{cite web\|author=Guruji Murugan Chillayah\|publisher=[[Silambam]]\|title=Silambam and Varma Kalai Art \|date=20 October 2012\|url=https://silambam.com.my/varmakalai.html\|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref>

	Its combat application is known as ''[[Adimurai]]'' (it includes a component called ''Varma Adi'', meaning "pressure-point striking") can be done either empty-handed or with a blunt weapon such as a stick or staff. ''Varma Kalai'' is usually taught in the advanced stage of Adimurai,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://adimurai.blogspot.com/\|title=Adi Murai - The science of combat}}</ref> [[Kalaripayattu]], and [[Silambam]] in [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] ~~respectively~~;<ref name="Luijendijk2005"/><ref>Stevens, B; ''From Lee to Li'', HarperCollins 2009 {{ISBN\|9780007347414}}</ref> strikes are targeted at the [[Nerve\|nerves]]~~, veins, tendons,~~ soft tissues ~~or [[Ligament\|ligaments]], organs and bone joints~~.		Its combat application is known as ''[[Adimurai]]'' (it includes a component called ''Varma Adi'', meaning "pressure-point striking") can be done either empty-handed or with a blunt weapon such as a stick or staff. ''Varma Kalai'' is usually taught in the advanced stage of [[Adimurai]],<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://adimurai.blogspot.com/\|title=Adi Murai - The science of combat}}</ref> [[Kalaripayattu]], and [[Silambam]] in [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]];<ref name="Luijendijk2005"/><ref>Stevens, B; ''From Lee to Li'', HarperCollins 2009 {{ISBN\|9780007347414}}</ref> strikes are often targeted at the [[Nerve\|nerves]] and soft tissues.

	==History==		==History==
	~~Folklore~~ traces varma kalai to the god [[Shiva]] who is said to have taught it to his son [[Murugan]]. While disguised as an old man, Murugan passed the knowledge of 108 ''Varmams'' to the sage [[Agastya]]<ref name="Luijendijk2005">{{cite book \|last= Luijendijk \|first= D.H. \|title= Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art \|year= 2005 \|publisher= Paladin Press \|isbn= 1-58160-480-7 }}</ref> who then recorded it and disseminated the skill among his students. Nadars tribe ~~claims~~ varma kalai was given to them by Agastya . [[Siddha medicine]] is also attributed to Agastya.<ref name="Zarrilli1992"/> With numerous other scattered references to ''Varmam'' in Vedic and epic sources, it is certain that [[Tamil Nadu]]'s early fighters knew and practiced attacking and defending ~~Vital Points~~.<ref name="Zarrilli1992">{{cite journal\|author=Zarrilli, Phillip B.\|year=1992\|title=To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (Marmmam/Varmam) in Two South Indian Martial Traditions Part I: Focus on Kerala's Kalarippayattu\|url=~~http~~://~~www.~~spa.ex.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/healharm.html\|journal=[[Journal of Asian Martial Arts]]\|volume=1\|issue=1}}</ref>		Folk traces varma kalai to the god [[Shiva]], who is said to have taught it to his son [[Murugan]]. While disguised as an old man, Murugan passed the knowledge of 108 ''Varmams'' to his disciple, the sage [[Agastya]]<ref name="varmakalai"/><ref name="Luijendijk2005">{{cite book \|last= Luijendijk \|first= D.H. \|title= Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art \|year= 2005 \|publisher= Paladin Press \|isbn= 1-58160-480-7 }}</ref>, who then recorded it and disseminated the skill among his students. Nadars tribe believes varma kalai was given to them by Agastya . [[Siddha medicine]] is also attributed to Agastya.<ref name="Zarrilli1992"/> With numerous other scattered references to ''Varmam'' in Vedic and epic sources, it is certain that [[Tamil Nadu]]'s early fighters knew and practiced attacking and defending vital points.<ref name="Zarrilli1992">{{cite journal\|author=Zarrilli, Phillip B.\|year=1992\|title=To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (Marmmam/Varmam) in Two South Indian Martial Traditions Part I: Focus on Kerala's Kalarippayattu\|url=https://spa.exeter.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/healharm.html\|journal=[[Journal of Asian Martial Arts]]\|volume=1\|issue=1}}</ref>

	Knowledge of the body's vital points in India ~~was~~ not ~~just confined to~~ humans but also elephants. Known as ''nila'', learning these points on an elephant's body was and remains necessary for [[mahout]]s. Prodding particular nila with a stick elicits various responses such as bringing the animal under control or making them kneel. Warriors would learn to attack certain nila on opposing war-elephants during battle, which could either kill or frighten the animals. The national museums of [[Sri Lanka]] have documented at least 86 nila and their functions.		Knowledge of the body's vital points in India included not only humans but also elephants. Known as ''nila'', learning these points on an elephant's body was and remains necessary for [[mahout]]s. Prodding particular nila with a stick elicits various responses such as bringing the animal under control or making them kneel. Warriors would learn to attack certain nila on opposing war-elephants during battle, which could either kill or frighten the animals. The national museums of [[Sri Lanka]] have documented at least 86 nila and their functions.

	==Schools==		==Schools==
	Varma kalai is attributed to several [[siddhar]] ~~(sages)~~, namely [[Agastya]], [[Bogar]], Theriyar and ~~Pulipani~~. Out of these, only the Agastya school is commonly practiced in [[Tamil Nadu]] and in the neighboring state of [[Kerala]].		Varma kalai is attributed to several [[siddhar\|Siddhars]], namely [[Agastya]], [[Bogar]], Theriyar, Pulipani and famously Avvaiyar. Out of these, only the Agastya school is commonly practiced in Tamil Nadu and in the neighboring state of [[Kerala]].

	==See also==		==See also==
	{{Portal\|India\|Martial arts}}		{{Portal\|India\|Martial arts}}{{div col\|colwidth=20em}}

	{{div col\|colwidth=20em}}
	*[[Angampora]]		*[[Angampora]]
	*[[Banshay]]		*[[Banshay]]
	*[[Bataireacht]]		*[[Bataireacht]]
	*[[Bōjutsu]]		*[[Bōjutsu]]
			*[[Butthan]]
	*[[Gatka]]		*[[Gatka]]
	*[[Jūkendō]]		*[[Jūkendō]]

imported>Kalariwarrior: Reverted unnecessary edit. Original name is more recognizable on a large scale. Undid revision 1040465606 by 2409:4072:6E98:E2FA:E459:459C:DBCB:5C8B (talk)

2021-08-31T00:21:26Z

Reverted unnecessary edit. Original name is more recognizable on a large scale. Undid revision 1040465606 by 2409:4072:6E98:E2FA:E459:459C:DBCB:5C8B (talk)

New page

{{Short description|Indian study of vulnerable anatomy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
'''Varma Kalai''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: ''varmakkalai'', [[Malayalam]] and [[Sanskrit]]: ''marma-vidya'', [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]]: ''maru kalā'', [[Telugu language|Telugu]]: ''marma-vidya kaḷa'') is an Indian traditional art of vital points. It originated in present-day kanyakumari, [[Tamil Nadu]]. It combines massage, alternative medicine, traditional yoga and [[Indian martial arts|martial arts]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamilnadu.com/arts/varma-kalai.html |title=Tamilnadu - Varma Kalai|publisher=Tamilnadu.com|date=26 December 2012}}</ref> in which the body's [[Pressure point|pressure points]] (''varmam'') are manipulated to heal or cause harm. The healing application called ''Vaidhiya Murai'' is part of [[Siddha medicine]] (''siddha vaidyam'').<ref name="uk">{{cite web|author=Guruji Murugan Chillayah|publisher=[[Silambam]]|title=Silambam and Varma Kalai Art |date=20 October 2012|url=http://silambam.asia/varmakalai.html|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref>

Its combat application is known as ''[[Adimurai]]'' (it includes a component called ''Varma Adi'', meaning "pressure-point striking") can be done either empty-handed or with a blunt weapon such as a stick or staff. ''Varma Kalai'' is usually taught in the advanced stage of Adimurai,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://adimurai.blogspot.com/|title=Adi Murai - The science of combat}}</ref> [[Kalaripayattu]], and [[Silambam]] in [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] respectively;<ref name="Luijendijk2005"/><ref>Stevens, B; ''From Lee to Li'', HarperCollins 2009 {{ISBN|9780007347414}}</ref> strikes are targeted at the [[Nerve|nerves]], veins, tendons, soft tissues or [[Ligament|ligaments]], organs and bone joints.

==History==
Folklore traces varma kalai to the god [[Shiva]] who is said to have taught it to his son [[Murugan]]. While disguised as an old man, Murugan passed the knowledge of 108 ''Varmams'' to the sage [[Agastya]]<ref name="Luijendijk2005">{{cite book |last= Luijendijk |first= D.H. |title= Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art |year= 2005 |publisher= Paladin Press |isbn= 1-58160-480-7 }}</ref> who then recorded it and disseminated the skill among his students. Nadars tribe claims varma kalai was given to them by Agastya . [[Siddha medicine]] is also attributed to Agastya.<ref name="Zarrilli1992"/> With numerous other scattered references to ''Varmam'' in Vedic and epic sources, it is certain that [[Tamil Nadu]]'s early fighters knew and practiced attacking and defending Vital Points.<ref name="Zarrilli1992">{{cite journal|author=Zarrilli, Phillip B.|year=1992|title=To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (Marmmam/Varmam) in Two South Indian Martial Traditions Part I: Focus on Kerala's Kalarippayattu|url=http://www.spa.ex.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/healharm.html|journal=[[Journal of Asian Martial Arts]]|volume=1|issue=1}}</ref>

Knowledge of the body's vital points in India was not just confined to humans but also elephants. Known as ''nila'', learning these points on an elephant's body was and remains necessary for [[mahout]]s. Prodding particular nila with a stick elicits various responses such as bringing the animal under control or making them kneel. Warriors would learn to attack certain nila on opposing war-elephants during battle, which could either kill or frighten the animals. The national museums of [[Sri Lanka]] have documented at least 86 nila and their functions.

==Schools==
Varma kalai is attributed to several [[siddhar]] (sages), namely [[Agastya]], [[Bogar]], Theriyar and Pulipani. Out of these, only the Agastya school is commonly practiced in [[Tamil Nadu]] and in the neighboring state of [[Kerala]].

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Martial arts}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Angampora]]
*[[Banshay]]
*[[Bataireacht]]
*[[Bōjutsu]]
*[[Gatka]]
*[[Jūkendō]]
*[[Kalaripayattu]]
*[[Kendo]]
*[[Kenjutsu]]
*[[Krabi–krabong]]
*[[Kuttu Varisai]]
*[[Mardani khel]]
*[[Siddha medicine]]
*[[Silambam]]
*[[Silambam Asia]]
*[[Tahtib]]
*[[Thang-ta]]
*[[World Silambam Association]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indian martial arts}}

[[Category:Siddha medicine]]
[[Category:Kalarippayattu]]
[[Category:Massage therapy]]
[[Category:Indian martial arts]]

Varma kalai - Revision history

imported>HAUDesiree: Refined content and updated sections

imported>Kalariwarrior: Reverted unnecessary edit. Original name is more recognizable on a large scale. Undid revision 1040465606 by 2409:4072:6E98:E2FA:E459:459C:DBCB:5C8B (talk)