“Varmakkalai” is an ancient technique of Tamilians which explains the culture of Tamils

About Varma kalai 

What is the meanings of Varma

Varmam or Marmam are locations in the body where vital life force is seen in high concentration. These locations are called Varma points or varmam clusters and function as vital force (Prana) generators. The action that causes loss or blockage of vital energy (Ki, Chi, Prana etc) at certain locations of pressure points, nerve junctions or bone joints is called Varma Adi or Varmam strike. The actual points, or nerve junctions etc themselves may be called Varmam.The systematic study, art or method of performing the actions in the application of martial arts/self defence is called Varmam or Varma Kalai.

History of Varma

It is said that varmakalai, originated from Lord Siva, a great Yogi.

“Thaeravey Sivan Umaikku sonna bodham,

Aaaramal naan arindhu in nool sonnaen”

According to the above verse, Lord Siva taught varmam to his wife Parvathi; later Parvathi taught varmam to their son Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan then taught Siddha Agasthiyar.

Agasthiyar later gave a written form that reached the masses. But the original texts (and their copies), directly written by siddhas, are not available now. Saints who have grasped the meaning of the siddhas sayings have given a poetic form, which is used in modern day learning. So far, around fifty thousand songs are available.

The narrated history has been mentioned in the 41st prose of “Kai Mathirai Thiravukol ” as describes the first worldly originator of the Guru Sishya Parampara or Lineage as the Sage Agastya who in turn taught it to others like Ramadeva, Bhoga Muni, Goraksa (or Gorakhnath, the patron guru of the Gurkhas, interesting parallel!!),  Theraya, Pulippaani etc, who in turn taught their disciples and gradually knowledge of this art reached commoners in the same, strict Guru-Shishya tradition.

The ancient Sangam age kingdoms of Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas had a long tradition of Martial Chivalry just like the Kshatriyas of the northern regions. Warriors refused to attack an unarmed opponent, instead meeting him on equal terms without weapons. Tanjore “Kuthu Varisai” was the domain of the Cholas. This was the ancient unarmed, kickboxing like art using rapid percussive strikes to bring town an opponent. The Chera kingdom was closer to the borders of Middle and southern Kerala and had their own tradition of unarmed combat and affinity towards Pressure point systems.

In fact, the stronghold of Tamilian Varmam art is the area around Kanyakumari and Nagercoil districts, which share borders with Southern Kerala, where the Thekkan Kalari (Southern Style Kalari) system which devotes lesser time to weaponry and lays more emphasis on unarmed combat and Marma Adi techniques that the other two styles of Madhya Keralam(Central Style of Kalari – Palakkad-Cannanore- Malappuram areas) and Vadakkan Kalari ( Northern Style– Malabar etc).

Even in the art of Silambam, (bamboo staff fencing) there are many instances in history, where opponents were defeated by blows or prodding attacks with the stick, to vital spots on the body in historical descriptions and in quite a number of manuals on this art.

The warring states in South India refined the fighting skills and techniques prevalent in the area into a martial art form. The art flourished between the 13 and 16 centuries, becoming a part of the education of youngsters of that age.

What are the Classifications of Varma Points

CLASSIFICATIONS OF VARMAM

Human body is divided into five areas in which varmam (varma points) are discussed. They are:

Unit	Area	Number of Points
I	From Top of the Head till Neck	25
II	From Neck till Naval Point	45
III	From Naval Point till Anus	9
IV	Both Hands	14
V	Both Legs	15
Total		108

The same 108 varmams are classified under different categories. One such classification is based on 12 nerves (or a meridian channel) in the nervous system. Each meridian channel consists of one Padu varmam and eight Thodu varmam.

Varmam Type	Number of Points
Thodu Varmam	96
Padu Varmam	12
Total	108

The number of varmams (108) various between various schools of varmam.

Based on Indian Astrology, there are 92 varmams:

Varmam Based On	Number of Points
(Hindu Astrological) Stars	27
Lunar	30
Padu Varmam	35
Total	92

Based on the text Naramparai, written by Kumbamuni Siddha, there are 253 varmams:

Classification	Number of Points
Padu Varman	18
Thodu Varmam	96
Pakka Varmam	8
Narambu Elumbu Varmam	86
Maru Varmam	45
Total	253

Based on yet another classification, there are 107 points:

Classification	Number of Points
Vata Varmam (Air)	65
Pitta Varmam (Heat)	24
Kapha Varmam (Cool)	6
Concealed Varmam	12
Total	107

The actual function of the Varmam Points

The rationale of Varmam is that Varmams are energy points in the body mainly located on the skin and adjacent tissue. Injury to these points is one of the causes of illness in the body according to Siddha sages. The Prana force or vital current of electrical energy flowing through the individual Nadi is of very low voltage. Given the normal resistance of the skin, it would be impossible for the current to travel very far without the loss of signal strength. Here the Varmams come into play by acting as signal-boosting routing stations or step up transformers!

108 Varma points Name

1. Kondaikolli varmam
2. Thilartha kaalam
3. Patchi varmam
4. Kannadi kaalam
5. Paala varmam
6. Naasi varmam
7. Minvitti varmam
8. Manthira kaalam
9. Annan kaalam
10. Kombothrei Kaalam
11. Sunnambu Kaalam
12. Poigai kaalam
13. Uthira varmam
14. Kutri varmam
15. Vettu varmam
16. Poottellu varmam
17. Chuzhiyadi varmam
18. Pidari Varmam
19. Cheerum Kolli varmam
20. Saruthi Varmam
21. Pinshwaasi Varmam
22. Vialngu Varmam
23. Thivala Varmam
24. Arukutti Varmam
25. Malar Varmam
26. Karreral Varmam
27. Koonbu Varmam
28. Neru Varmam
29. Urumi Kaalam
30. Kazhalai varmam
31. Hanuman varmam
32. Thudi varmam
33. Valai varmam
34. Thooshika varmam
35. Villam varmam
36. Pidi varmam
37. Mulai varmam
38. Nura poottu varmam
39. Chora theenda varmam
40. Pushti varmam
41. Irippu varmam
42. Mudichi varmam
43. Adhistana varmam
44. Rekthaadhi varmam
45. Moothira varmam
46. Mothira varmam
47. Anda varmam
48. Thandu varmam
49. Adakka varmam
50. Kaal kavuli varmam
51. Puriva kaalam
52. Kannu varmam
53. Valamurthi kaalam
54. Sumai varmam
55. Theetha Varmam
56. Sudothiri Varmam
57. Chothi varmam
58. Nachitra kaalam
59. Perichal varmam
60. Chenni varmam
61. Alavaadi varmam
62. Aayama varmam
63. Chevi kuthi varmam
64. Kona sanni varmam
65. Urakka kaalam
66. Kakkattai Kaalam
67. Sakthi varmam
68. Majjah Varmam
69. Palla varmam
70. Uppu kutri kaalam
71. Kokki varmam
72. Kulir varmam
73. Maattaan varmam
74. Arangu varmam
75. Thevela kaalama
76. Villu varmam
77. Panni varmam
78. Gupthaka varmam
79. Kallida varmam
80. Kazhala varmam
81. Villu varmam
82. Mundellu varmam
83. Cheriya atthichurukki varmam
84. Valiya atthichurukki varmam
85.  Vithu varmam
86. Buja varmam
87. Kochu varmam
88. Chulukku varmam
89. Muttu kann varmam
90. Muttu varmam
91. Moli varmam
92. Muzham kai varmam
93. Kai kannu varmam
94. Mani kettu varmam
95. Kai kavuli varmam
96. Sthuthi kai varmam
97. Dkashinai kaalam
98. Swarna dakshinai kaalam
99. Kai vellai varmam
100. Kona sanni varmam
101. Kal mudichi varmam
102. Kaal kuzhachi
103. Nadai varmam
104. Kuthi kaal varmam
105. Visha varmam
106. Aamai varmam
107. Kaal kochu varmam
108. Kaal chulukku varmam

The Persatuan Siddha Varma Kalai Malaysia aim was to bring this time tested and full with healing abilities to be given to mankind so it will be usable. Please joint us to learn this art for wellness and healthy living.
-Tamilan