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{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}} | ||
'''Varma Kalai''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: '' | {{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]] | 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== | ||
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 | 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]] | 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]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:05, 17 March 2026
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Varma Kalai (Tamil: வர்மக்கலை, varmakalai), also known as Marma Vidhya ( Malayalam: മർമ്മ വിദ്യ and Sanskrit: marma-vidya/marmam) is an Indian traditional art of pressure points. It combines massage, alternative medicine, traditional yoga and martial arts[1] 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).[2]
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,[3] Kalaripayattu, and Silambam in Kerala and Tamil Nadu;[4][5] strikes are often targeted at the nerves and soft tissues.
History[edit | edit source]
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[2][4], 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.[6] 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.[6]
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 mahouts. 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[edit | edit source]
Varma kalai is attributed to several 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[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Tamilnadu - Varma Kalai". Tamilnadu.com. 26 December 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Guruji Murugan Chillayah (20 October 2012). "Silambam and Varma Kalai Art". Silambam. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- ↑ "Adi Murai - The science of combat".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Luijendijk, D.H. (2005). Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art. Paladin Press. ISBN 1-58160-480-7.
- ↑ Stevens, B; From Lee to Li, HarperCollins 2009 ISBN 9780007347414
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Zarrilli, Phillip B. (1992). "To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (Marmmam/Varmam) in Two South Indian Martial Traditions Part I: Focus on Kerala's Kalarippayattu". Journal of Asian Martial Arts. 1 (1).