RAMADEVAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI: THE ORIGIN OF THULUNADAN KALARI PAYAT (THE SECRETS AND MYSTERIES OF THULUNADAN STYLE KALARI PAYAT)

Siddhar Ramadevar, who is also known as one of the CHIEF MYSTIC SIDDHARS, is said to have contributed a lot to a Martial and Esoteric Healing art called Varma Kalai, which has its origin in Tamil Nadu.

Siddhar Ramadevar

In one of the Varma Kalai manuscripts on Varma Kalai, named Kai Mathirai Thiravukol, verse 41, says thus

Kai Mathirai Thiravukol, Verse 41

It mentions that the Esoteric art of Varma Kalai was developed by 3 main Siddhars. They are:

1. Siddhar Agathiyar
2. Siddhar Ramadevar
3. Siddhar Bogar

While, the Schools of Varma Kalai opened by Sage Agathiyar and Sage Bogar are still in practice to date, the School of Thought of Varma Kalai by Siddhar Ramadevar is thought to have been lost forever.

BUT, THERE ARE FEW REASONS WHY I ALWAYS WOULD SAY THAT THE MARTIAL ART OF THULUNADAN KALARI, WHICH IS KNOWN AS CARNATIC KALARI IS THE RAMADEVAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.

SIDDHAR RAMADEVAR IS ALSO KNOWN AS MANTHRIGA SIDDHAR

Siddhar Ramadevar is the first person in the world to Introduce the art of Occultism to the world.

Siddhar Ramadevar who was a disciple of Sage Agathiyar learnt this art from Agathiyar and has brought it to the whole world.

WHEN SIDDHAR RAMADEVAR TRAVELLED TO ARABIA, DURING THE DAYS OF PROPHET MOHAMMED, THROUGH TRANSMIGRATION OF THE BODY -- IT WAS DURING THIS TIME THAT SIDDHAR RAMADEVAR TAUGHT THE ART OF OCCULTISM TO THE ARABS, ESPECIALLY THE USAGE OF JINNS

JINNS EXISTED EVEN BEFORE THE ARABS BECAME A NATION, BUT TODAY, IT IS ONLY THE PEOPLE OF ISLAMIC RELIGION USE THE JINNS, THIS IS BECAUSE SIDDHAR RAMADEVAR TAUGHT THIS ART TO THEM WHEN HE WAS IN ARABIA

After finishing His work in Arabia, Siddhar Ramadevar came to India back and settled in Thulunadu, which existed as a separate Country then.

THULUNADU DID NOT BELONG TO KARNATAKA, NOR KERALA, UNTIL IT WAS GIVEN TO KARNATAKA AFTER 1956.

THULUNADU WAS A MAIN IMPORTANT SPOT FOR THE POETS OF SANGAM LITERATURE, WHICH SHOWS THAT THIS AREA BELONGED TO THE TAMILS IN ANCIENT DAYS.

Coming to my point, as to why I would say that the Lost School of Ramadevar Varma Kalai IS Carnatic Kalari is because,

1. Thulunadan Kalari distinguishes itself from other styles of Kalari of Northern Sampradayam by its usage of Manthrik and Tanthrik practices.
2. Thulunadan Kalari is also known as Carnatic Kalari, not because it belongs to Karnataka, BUT, because of Carnatic Music (Tamil Music) which goes along in Rhythm with its performance,
3. Unlike other styles of Northern Sampradayam Kalari, where the teachers or masters are called Gurukkals, Thulunadan Kalari masters are called as Ahsans.

THULUNADAN KALARI AND MANTHRA THANTRA SASTRA:

Thulunadan System of Kalari is the only system of Kalari that was used by the Ancient spies of the Mysire Maharaja palace.

It makes use of Mantra Sastra, given by Siddhar Ramadevar who is known as Manthrigam Siddhar.

THIS IS ONE MAIN POINT WHY I CONCLUDE THAT CARNATIC KALARI IS RAMADEVAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI 

CARNATIC KALARI AND CARNATIC MUSIC: 

Generally, in South Indian tradition of the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka, along with the Martial Art practice they use traditional music instruments and traditional music played during demonstrations.

This is clearly seen in Silambam, Kalari Payat and Angampora Martial Arts respectively.

BUT, in Thulunadan Kalari, it is really surprising to see the Ancient Music of Tamils, the Carnatic Music being played, while other styles of Northern Kalari follow other styles of Kerala folk music

THIS IS ANOTHER MAIN POINT TO CONCLUDE THAT THE THULUNADAN KALARI IS RAMADEVAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI 

THULANADAN KALARI AHSANS: 

Generally in Northern Sambradhayam Kalaripayattu, the Masters are called Gurukkals and the training starts with exercises for strength and flexibility.

BUT, IN THULUNADAN STYLE KALARI, THERE ARE NO BODY BUILDING EXERCISES, FROM THE VERY FIRST CLASS YOU START FROM SALUTATION TO GOD, TEACHER, KALARI AND THE FELLOW STUDENTS AND LEARN WHAT YOU NEED, TO DEFEND YOURSELF IN A REAL LIFE SITUATION LIKE AS IN AGATHIYAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI AND BOGAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI

You can take a look at the documentary of one of the Thulunadan Schools (Carnatic Kalari) of Kalari being practiced in Kollam district of Kerala 

ONE MORE INTERESTING THING TO NOTE IS THAT, UNLIKE IN ALL OTHER STYLES OF NORTHERN STYLE KALARI SYSTEM, IN THULUNADAN STYLE KALARI SYSTEM, THE MASTERS ARE CALLES AS AHSANS AND NOT GURUKKALS AS IN AGATHIYAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI AND BOGAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI.

Similar to Kalaripayattu which has got two distinct styles called Vadakkan (Northern) Kalari and Thekkan (Southern) Kalari, 

THULUNADAN KALARI IS ALSO DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS, NAMELY,

1. Thulunadan Kalari and 
2. Thekkan Thulunadan Kalari

Both these Masters whom we see below are teachers of Thekkan Thulunadan Kalari.

Late Mr. Thangappan Aasaan (left) and Mr K.C. Hari Kumar Aasaan (Right) of Thulunadan Kalari

Similar to Vadakkan and Thekkan Kalari, the Thulunadan Kalari practiced in the Malabar region, gives importance to Body Exercises, Flexibility and Weapon based trainings

Whereas, the Thekkan Thulunadan, which is very similar to Thekkan Style gives importance to Empty Hand Fighting Style first, and later weapons are taught.

IN BOTH SYSTEMS (THULUNADAN AND THEKKAN - THULUNADAN), THEY DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES FROM OTHER STYLES OF KALARI, BY THE USAGE OF MANTRIK AND TANTRIK PRACTICES.

IT IS NO DOUBT THAT SIDDHAR RAMADEVAR WAS ALSO KNOWN AS MANTHRIKA SIDDHAR, (ONE WHO EXTENSIVELY USES MANTRIK AND TANTRIK PRACTICES) 

WHOSE MANTRA SASTRA (WHICH IS THOUGHT TO BE COMPLETELY LOST BEYOND RECOVERY) IS PROBABLY THE ONE USED IN THEKKAN - THULUNADAN STYLE OF KALARI

Here, we can see short videos of Thulunadan Style Kalari and Thekkan Thulunadan style of Kalari.

Thulunadan Style of Kalari, North Kerala

Thekkan Thulunadan Style of Kalari, Kottayam

THUS, WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT THE THULUNADAN SCHOOL OF KALARI PAYAT IS THE RAMADEVAR SCHOOL OF VARMA KALAI