Maasa Marma Asthi Marma Snayu Marma Dhamani Marma Sandhi Marma Shira Marma It can also depend on the force and velocity used to strike. An attack on these points can render the receiver immobile after the attack. Application of pressure or insertion of needles on the Marma points which are on the body surface will affect the flow of vital energy or Pranam along our Nadis. In human body there are 108 Varmam's (Vital points) they are:Īccording to Vaidhiya murai (Healing therapy under Siddha medicine) the vital points are explained as:Īccording to Varma Kalai aasans our body has 350 therapeutic Varma points and 108 lethal varma points which can be attacked. It takes several years of practice for one to become an expert in Nooku Varmam. Nooku Varmam (also known as) Meitheenda Kalai Triggering vital points by focusing/ concentrating on the target. These are kept confidential until the master pass on the knowledge to the selected disciple Thattu Varmam Decisive Vital points that are used by the master. Padu Varmam 12 Vital Points that are fatal, causing immediate, severe effects upon the victim. Not deadly, but will affect the victim by disabling the body, organ movements and function. Thodu Varmam 96 Vital Points triggered by a touch. Techniques Varma Kalai is classified into 4 types: There is also a belief that the art was kept hidden for centuries for various reasons, it seems that Aasans agree to that but there is no sound record on what facts set the art hidden. It is being said that causes such led to the loss of many great techniques, few Aasans who spoke to media deny that thought. Also the Aasans and Periyaasans did not pass on few techniques as they never met qualified diciple. It was taught only to selected individuals who qualified but again all who learned does not qualify to become an Aasan. Hearsays are that the rules were followed sincerely without exception, everyone who wished to learn the art were not qualified to learn. The Varma Kalai martial artist is not allowed to teach the art to others until he receives Deeksha from his Aasan or Periyaasan as in recognition of him as an Aasan. Disciples must meet a number of criteria beyond martial arts competence they are required to have an understanding of biology, mathematics, political science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, Saamuthriga Lakshanam, Yoga, military tactics, horsmanship, elephant riding, charioteering and Hindu philosophy (Saiva,Vaisnava, Saktha, Koumara, Boutha, Samana) etc. Requirements for Training Varma Kalai teachers are highly selective in their choice of students. Currently Varma Kalai is practised in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, usually as part of Kuttu varisai and Kalari training. The film's popularity generated a resurgence of interest in the art.
Due to its secretive nature, Varma Kalai remained largely unknown even in India until the release of the movie Indian, in which Kamal Haasan played the role of a Varma Kalai expert. The art was taught only to selected individuals, but due to the strict requirements for new students it never gained large numbers of adherents. Aasan and Periyaasan of Varma Kalai were highly respected. The schools received nivandhanams (donation with high respect) from the Kings of Tamil Kingdom (Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava. However, even royalty were required to pass the stringent requirements for discipleship. Historically, Varma Kalai has been one of the arts taught to those of royal blood. The teachers were called as Aasan (Tamil: ) and the grand masters were called as Periyaasan (Tamil: ) or Iyan (Tamil: ).
Knowledge of Varma Kalai was considered vital in both arts to become a Grand Master. Though Varma Kalai has its own form of katas and procedures, it was closely assorted with Silambam's component Kuttu varisai and Kalaripayattu. The presence of shrines to Agathiar in Courtallam suggests that he researched the art there. He transferred the knowledge of this art to other Siddhar's and he also wrote treatises on this art in Tamil. History Legend has it that Lord Siva taught this art form to his son Lord Murugan and Lord Murugan taught this art to the sage Agastya, foremost of the Siddhar's, during the times of Sangam Literature.
It is an element of the Tamil martial art Kuttu varisai. The name literally translate as "The Art of Vital Points". Varma Kalai (Tamil: ) is a martial art and esoteric healing art originating from ancient Tamil Nadu in South India.