Well, in India there is always a trend to sideline and degrade the tradition of the Tamils.
One such thing is the sidelining and degrading the Siddha Medicaal System, The Mother of ALL Other Medical Systems in the world.
Siddha Mdical System
SIDDHA MEDICINE - WORLD'S OLDEST AND THE PUREST FORM OF MEDICINE AVAILABLE ON THIS PLANET.
SIDDHA MEDICAL SYSTEM - THE MOTHER OF ALL OTHER MEDICAL SYSTEMS ON THIS PLANET
Coming to the Question as to which, Siddha or Ayurveda, which is the Oldest, most people would try to avoid these questions by saying the following
Both are Ancient
Neither came from either or vice versa.
BUT -- WE NEED TO KNOW WITH EXACT PROOF AS TO WHICH IS THE OLDEST AMONG THESE TWO, AND WITH CORRECT PROOFS.
First of all Siddha Medicine was founded by Sage Agasthya the Chief of ALL 18 Siddhars and also ALL the other 17 Siddhars have contributed to the growth of Siddha Medicine..
The names of these 18 Siddhars are as follows:
18 Siddhars of Tamil Nadu
Siddhar Agathiyar
Siddhar Pathanjali
Siddhar Ramadevar (Therayar / Yacobu)
Siddhar Bogar
Siddhar Thirumoolar
Siddhar Korakkar
Siddhar Konganar
Siddhar Dhanvantari
Siddhar Karuvurar
Siddhar Edaikaddar
Siddhar Chaataimuni
Siddhar Pambatti
Siddhar Machamuni
Siddhar Vaanmeegar
Siddhar Kamalamuni
Siddhar Kudambai
Siddhar Sundaranadar
Siddhar Pulipani
these were the 18 great siddhars who were practitioners of the World's First Medical System - The Siddha Medical System
Among the above 18 said Siddhars, Siddhar Dhanvantari is the founder of Ayurveda.
DHANVANTARI - THE GOD AND FOUNDER OF AYURVEDA WAS A SIDDHA MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
THUS, WE SEE THAT THE FOUNDER OF AYURVEDA WAS A SIDDHA MEDICAL PRACTITIONER WHO WAS WELL VERSED IN THE SIDDHA MEDICAL SYSTEM OF TAMIL NADU.
BUT -- TODAY, WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK OF AYURVEDA, THE 3 MAIN PEOPLE WHO COME TO THEIR MIND ARE SUSRUTHA, CHARAKA AND VAGHBHATA.
THE SUSRUTHA SAMHITA, CHARAKA SAMHITA AND VAGHBATA SAMHITA ARE THE 3 GREAT DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR AYUVEDIC PRACTITIONERS.
BUT -- PEOPLE EITHER FORGET THE FACT -- OR PURPOSELY IGNORE THE TRUE FACT THAT SUSRUTHA AND CHARAKA WERE STUDENTS OF SIDDHAR DHANVANTARI - WHO WAS A PRACTITIONER OF SIDDHA MEDICAL SYSTEM HIMSELF AND LATER FOUNDED AYURVEDA FROM SIDDHA.
BOTH, SIDDHA AND AYURVEDA MAKE USE OF HERBAL MEDICINES.
The main difference between Siddha and Ayurveda are
Siddha Medicine is more Health - Oriented, while Ayurveda is more Disease Oriented.
Both Siddha and Ayurveda make use of the same Herbs. BUT, the same Herbs are used for different and distinguished purposes in these Systems.
The usage of Metals, Minerals, Animal fats and Leech Therapy practiced in Siddha Medicine is absent in Ayurveda.
IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS REASON (AYURVEDA WAS FOUNDED BY A SIDDHAR) THAT MOST SIDDHA MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS ARE ALSO WELL - VERSED IN AYURVEDA.
BUT--AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONERS WILL NOT BE KNOWING MUCH ABOUT SIDDHA MEDICINE.
CHARAKA IN HIS CHARAKA SAMHITA, ASKS THE AYURVEDA PRACTITIONERS TO WORSHIP THE SIDDHARS.
THIS IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT AYURVEDA WAS DEVELOPED BY SIDDHA MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS.
THUS, WE COULD BOLDLY AND EASILY CONCLUDE THAT
AYURVEDA WAS DEVELOPED FROM SIDDHA MEDICAL SYSTEM
SIDDHA MEDICAL SYSTEM IS OLDER THAN THE AYURVEDIC MEDICAL SYSTEM.
HENCE, WE SEE THAT SIDDHA MEDICAL SYSTEM IS THE OLDEST MEDICAL SYSTEM ON EARTH.
In this article we are going to see about one of the greatest Siddhars, Siddhar Agasthya.
His actual name is Agathiyar, also known as Agasthi in North India or Agasthiya in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
In one of my other posts, there was a person who told me Agasthya is from Kerala and He is a founder of Kalaripayattu, a martial art form of Kerala.
I GENERALLY DO NOT APPROVE ANY COMMENTS FOR MY BLOG, UNLESS THEY ARE USEFUL AND COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE BENEFIT OF MY READERS, AS MY BLOGS ARE ONLY FOR INFORMATIVE PURPOSES OF THE INFORMATION WHICH ARE PURPOSELY SUPPRESSED BY THE MEDIAS AND OTHER TAMIL HATERS.
Coming to the point, there are certain controversies surrounding this Great Sage Agathiyar.
Since Agathiyar is also present in the Vedas as the composer of Mantras, the North Indians have a completely different story about Agasthya.
Above all this, the so called researchers who come to India try to confuse the people saying Agasthiya of North Indian tradition is different and the Agathiyar of Tamil Tradition is different.
BUT--ON THE CONTRARY THERE IS ONLY ONE AGATHIYAR'S SAMADHI IN INDIA.
To get more clarity on the above said controversy,
Punch into Google Search:
TAMIL - THE MOTHER OF ALL LANGUAGES ON EARTH BY BENJAMIN FURROWS.
I think the above article would have cleared most of your doubts.
Coming to the point again, Agasthiya was the Chiefest of ALL MAIN 18 SIDDHARS.
SIDDHARS WERE TAMIL SAINTS, WHO KNEW NO OTHER LANGUAGE EXCEPT TAMIL.
SIDDHARS WERE FROM THE PANDIYAN KINGDOM.
SIDDHARS WERE EXPERTS IN MARTIAL ARTS, ALCHEMY, MEDICINE, ASTROLOGY, WISDOM (GNANAM), RASAVATHAM, TANTRA MANTRA YANTA, PHILOSOPHY AND YOGA.
There are 18 Main Siddhars. they are:
Agathiyar (Agasthya)
Thirumoolar
Bogar
Kongannar
Therayar
Korakkar
Karuvurar
Edaikaddar
Chattamuni
Sundaranar
Ramadevar
Pambatti
Machamuni
Kudambai
Azhuganni
Agapai
Nandhi Devar
Kakapusundar
Agathiyar who is the chief of them, was the Guru of Siddhar Bogar, Pulipani and Therayar.
Siddhar Bogar, in one of his
writings describes Sage Agathiyar in this way.
"தென் பொதிகை நாதன் துணையால் பாடி வைத்தேன் முறை நண்றாமே"
In the above verse in one of his palm leaf manuscripts, Siddhar Bogar describes Sage Agasthya as a person from South Podhigai Hills. A stone in which Sage Agathiyar meditated is still present in Ambasmudhram of Kutrallam in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu
Agathiyar Meditation Stone
This is the stone where Sage Agathiyar sat down and meditated.
It is still believed that the Spirit of Sage Agathiyar is moving there to heal people who come there.
This Podhiga Hills is the place where Sage Agasthya was born.
THIS PODHIGAI HILLS IS SITUATED IN COUTRALLAM (KUTRALLAM) IN TAMIL NADU
Kutrallam, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu
This is the original place of Birth and the place where Siddhar Agasthya had lived.
BUT -- In other Siddha Medical Literature there is a description of Sage Agasthya having attained SAMADHI in Ananthasayanam in Thiruvanathapuram district.
Keeping this as a point, people tend to say that Sage Agasthya was a Keralite.
BUT--ON THE CONTROVERSY, PEOPLE FORGET TO OBSERVE THAT AGASTHYA ATTAINED SAMADHI 2 MILLENNIUM YEARS BACK.
SO, GOING BACK 2,000 YEARS, WE SEE THAT THE WHOLE LAND OF TODAY'S TAMIL NADU AND KERALA WERE TAMIL KINGDOMS RULED BY THE PANDIYAN KINGS OF THE SOUTH.
TRIVANDRUM 2,000 YEARS BACK BELONGED TO THE PANDIYAS.
IT WAS ONLY 60 YEARS BACK, AFTER THE BRITISH HAD LEFT INDIA, WHEN THE STATES WERE DIVIDED IN THE SOUTH THAT THIS EVERGREEN CITY OF TRIVANDRUM WAS GIVEN TO KERALA AFTER MUCH PROTEST THAT IT MUST NOT BE GIVEN.
TILL THEN THE KOCHI - TRAVANCORE AREAS NEVER BELONGED TO KERALA, BUT STILL THEY ABODE AS A SEPARATE STATE.
IN ORDER TO GIVE MORE LAND AREA TO KERALA, THE TRIVANDRUM CITY WAS GIVEN TO KERALA IN 1956, AS PER THE STATES ACT.
IS AGASTHYA A FOUNDER OF KALARIPAYATTU, A MARTIAL ART OF KERALA?
When I was inquisitive to know more about the Agasthyas style of Kalaripayattu, I happened to come across certain articles over the net, which gave me some information about this.
I would like to share them here with you.
Agasthya was a Great Sage, who was well versed in many of the Ancient Skills and has compiled many works on Yogam, Gnanam, Manthrikam, Tanthrikam, Yantra Science, Martial Arts, Siddha Medicine, Varmam Medicine, Rasavatham, Alchemy etc.
Coming to the Martial Arts part, where people say that he is the founder of Thekkan Kalari or Southern Style Kalaripayattu which is practiced in the Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
BY CLOSE OBSERVATION, YOU CAN CLEARLY MAKE OUT THAT THEKKAN KALARI IS A COMBINATION OF SILAMBAM, MALYUTHAM AND ADIMURAI.
While collecting information on Agasthiya's Martial Art forms, Master Arunachalam Mani who teaches ALL - Silambam, Adimurai, Malyutham, Yoga etc. points out to the fact that
THOUGH THERE ARE SO MANY PALM LEAVES IN THE NAME OF AGASTHYA, WHICH SPEAK OF
SILAMBAM
ADIMURAI
MALYUTHAM AND GUSTHI
SIDDHA MEDICINE
VARMAM
IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT THE WORD KALARI IS NOT PRESENT EVEN IN ONE OF HIS PALM LEAVES.
He also points out to the fact that,
During the formation of Kerala Kalaripayattu Association in the year 1956, in order to promote Traditional Martial Arts, KKA declared that the
ORIGINAL MARTIAL ART OF KALARIPAYATTU WILL BE CALLED AS "NORTHERN OR VADAKKAN" KALARI AND THE TAMIL FIGHTING STYLES COLLECTIVELY WILL BE CALLED "SOUTHERN OR THEKKAN" KALARI
THEKKAN KALARI INCLUDES SILAMBAM, VAAL VEECHU, KUTHU VARISAI, VARMA ADI (ADIMURAI), MALYUTHAM AND GUSTHI, SIDDHA AND VARMAM MEDICINE.
All these arts are COLLECTIVELY being trained under one roof in the name of Thekkan Kalari or Southern Style Kalari in Trivandrum and Kollam districts of Kerala,
WHILE, all these arts are practiced separately and uniquely in Tamil Nadu.
THUS, THE VARIOUS UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT MARTIAL ARTS ATTRIBUTED TO SAGE AGASTHYA IS TAUGHT UNDER ONE ROOF IN THE NAME OF THEKKAN KALARI IN SOUTH KERALA.
Some of the videos to see on Silambam, Adimurai and Malyutham.
Silambam Documentary
Adimurai (Varma Ati)
Malyutham (Wrestling Sports of Tamil Nadu)
Videos of Thekkan Kalari (Southern Style Kalari)
Buddha Kalari (Thekkan or Southern Style)
I THINK MY READERS WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD THIS ARTICLE AFTER SEEING THESE VIDEOS AT LEAST.
In this post, we are going to see the ORIGIN of the Chinese Acupuncture.
Before I continue with this post, I would kindly request ALL my readers to SHARE THESE POSTS, so that my research into the
TRUE ANCIENT GLORY OF OUR TAMIL KINGDOM, WHICH IS PURPOSELY SUPPRESSED BY THE INDIAN AND THE WORLD GOVERNMENT, WOULD COME TO LIGHT AND HAVE A NEW BEGINNING
The picture above shows Golden Needles that are used in a Traditional Varma Kalai Treatment, an alternative medicine from the State of Tamil Nadu in India. The Ponoosi (Pon - Gold; Oosi - Needle in Tamil) in used extensively in Varma Kalai treatment method. In this method, the Golden Needle is poked in certain Varmam points in the Human body which removes the blockages in that particular Varma point and stimulates the health of the patient.
THERE IS CERTAINLY A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHINESE METHOD OF ACUPUNCTURE, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED FROM THIS VARMAM PONOOSI METHOD AND THE ORIGINAL VARMAM PONOOSI METHOD.
Acupuncture Treatment
In Acupuncture Treatment, the Acupuncture Doctor pokes some needles in a series as shown in the picture above. BUT, it is by chance that any one of their CORRECT Dim Mak points gets stimulated and the patient is rejuvenated
BUT -- IN VARMA KALAI, THE VARMA KALAI DOCTORS KNOW EXACTLY IN WHICH VARMAM POINT THE NEEDLE HAS TO BE PUT, SO THAT THE PATIENT WOULD RECOVER.
VARMAM DOCTORS DO NOT USE MORE THAN 2 OR AT THE MAXIMUM OF 3 GOLDEN NEEDLES PER PATIENT, AS THEY KNOW WHICH EXACT POINT TO STIMULATE.
THIS METHOD OF TREATMENT IN VARMA KALAI IS NOT NORMALLY TAUGHT BY VARMA KALAI TRAINERS, UNTIL THE STUDENT FIRST LEARNS TO STIMULATE THE VARMAM POINT WITH THEIR HANDS.
Not only that, when I happened to come across this method of treatment practiced in Varma Kalai, I started to study the History of Chinese Acupuncture.
ONE THING THAT SHOCKED ME WAS THAT DURING THE ANCIENT TIMES WHEN ACUPUNCTURE WAS DEVELOPED, THE ACUPUNCTURE DOCTORS ALSO USED GOLDEN NEEDLES AT THAT TIME. BUT -- DUE TO THE COST FACTOR, THE PRACTICE OF USING GOLDEN NEEDLES IN ACUPUNCTURE IS NOW EXTINCT.
Siddhar Bogar who went to China before 500BC has taught this method of using Golden Needles in their vital Varmam Points to cure ANY MAJOR DISEASES that were prevalent in China during that time.
THIS METHOD OF VARMAM PONOOSI WAS LATER CALLED BY THE CHINESE AS ACUPUNCTURE.
THUS, WE SEE THAT THE CHINESE ACUPUNCTURE SYSTEM HAS ITS ROOTS AND WAS DEVELOPED FROM THE TAMIL'S SYSTEM OF VARMA KALAI PONOOSI METHOD.
The Chola Empire: A Tamil Kingdom that Ruled the World and the Trade for Centuries.
I am sure, that, it is a fact that everyone would be aware of, that the great King, Alexander the Great, who once ruled the world, was not defeated in any of his wars.
BUT -- HOW MANY OF YOU, IN INDIA, OR AT THE LEAST IN TAMIL NADU ARE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE GREAT KING OF THE CHOLA EMPIRE - RAJA RAJA CHOLAN WAS ALSO VICTORIOUS IN ALL HIS BATTLES.
YES... I HOPE MY READERS GOT THE DRIFT....
RAJA RAJA CHOLAN WAS NOT DEFEATED IN ANY OF HIS BATTLES.
ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THIS IS THEIR STRONG MILITARY FORCE.
In Ancient Times, The Warriors of the Pandiyan and Chola Kingdoms were the bravest and the fiercest of ALL Warriors around the world.
A small video demonstration of Silambam and Kuthu Varisai
THE BRITISH KNIGHTS WERE AFRAID EVEN AT THE SIGHT OF THESE CHOLA AND PANDIYAN SOLDIERS WHEN THEY CAME AS A FLOWING RIVER FOR WAR.
In India, it were ONLY the Cholas who had conquered countries outside India, and extended their Kingdom to such an extent, that even Alexander the Great or Ashoka the great who had conquered most of India, but was unable even to touch the borders of Ancient Tamilagam could ever dream of.
You can see the extent to which the Kings of the Chola Kingdom had extended their Kingdom.
The main reason for this is that they had a Powerful Army and Navy force.
The Cholas were very Brilliant as well as Brave Warriors who were trained in the Traditional Martial Arts of Varma Kuthu Varisai (Empty Hand Fighting Style) and Varmakalai Silambam (Deadly Weapon Based Martial Art). This was one of the Great Reasons for their victory over so many countries that they had conquered.
Not only were they trained in these Martial Arts, BUT, in whatever places they laid their feet, they planted their Traditional Martial Arts.
The CHOLAS were the ones in India to have a great sea trade with other countries around the world.
Wherever the Cholas had Sea Trade, in all those countries, they also planted their Weapon based Martial art (Varmakalai Silambam).
Influence of Kuthu Varisai and Silambam could be seen in all the countries which the Cholas had conquered and in all places where the Cholas had sea trade as well.
In order to know more about the Empty Hand Fighting Style, Kuthu Varisai,
Punch into Google Search:
"KUTTU VARISAI: THE UNKNOWN HISTORY OF BODHIDHARMAS MARTIAL ART"
One of the prominent practitioners of Kuthu Varisai was Karikala Cholan.
His name Karikalan was given to him at a later stage.
The term Kari Kalan has two different meanings. They are
The man with Charred (kari) Legs (kalan)
Elephant (kari) Slayer (kalan)
Ancient methods of Varma Kalai training involved punching and kicking on woods, which some say, could have charred his legs.
This training, now though extinct in Varmakalai (Kuthu Varisai), is still practiced in Wing Chun Martial Art of China, which had it's origin from Kuthu Varisai.
Among the different styles of Kuthu Varisai, i.e.,
Thanjavur Kuthu Varisai
Madurai Kuthu Varisai and
Varma Adimurai of (South Travancore areas)
The Thanjavur Kuthu Varisai is the very famous and popular style of Kuthu Varisai, which is also the only style practiced outside Tamil Nadu, in Kerala, Karnataka, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka among the Tamil Communities.
Today, Kuthu Varisai is gaining popularity among the Tamil Youths.
Not only among the Tamil Youths, but also people who have searched history and have come to know that
KUTHU VARISAI IS THE MOTHER OF ALL EMPTY HAND FIGHTING SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD
are interested in learning this art. Kuthu Varisai is becoming popular in London, Canada and France today.
In Kuthu Varisai, the student is taught the Footwork (geometrical patterns) to move within a closed range or long range for escaping the strike of an opponent and to handle multiple attackers at the same time.
Generally, the student would be practicing the footwork patterns for about 3 months, before going into the Sandai paada Murai (Fight or Pair Combat lessons)
Kuthu Varisai maskes use of Fists, Elbows, Knees, Legs and Headbutts
Kuthu Varisi teaches strikes, grapplings, throws and locks.
Kuthu Varisai makes use of Animal based stances and sequences like tiger snake, elephant, eagle and monkey.
Monkey style in Kuthu Varisai
The picture to the left, shows Master Zacria Rahama, who teaches Kuthu Varisai, Silambam and Varma Kalai in France performing a Monkey Stance.
Each different stance has got a particular benefit on the students health and flexibility.
Advanced Kuthu Varisai students would be familiar with Pressure Point Strikes for Combat called "Varma Ati" and knows where to strike and how to strike the pressure point to cause devastating effects like dysfunction, death, delayed death or sometimes only severe pain etc.
NOW --Coming to the point, I am going to show you how
Kuthu Varisai gave birth to Bokator (Cambodian Martial Art)
Kuthu Varisai gave birth to Lerdrit, Muay Boran and Muay Thai (Thailand Martial Arts)
Kuthu Varisai and Silambam gave birth to Kali, Escrima and Arnis (Filipino Martial Arts)
Kuthu Varisai and Silambam gave birth to Ber-Silat and Pentcak-Silat (Indonesian Martial Arts)
But, before I go further, first
Punch into google search:
KUTHU VARISAI - A BASIC OUTLINE BY BENJAMIN FURROWS to understand this article fully
KUTHU VARISAI: THE ORIGIN OF BOKATOR
Before I start, I would like to tell you one thing. Unlike other Martial Arts, Kuthu Varisai and its practitioners are still shrouded in deep mystery.
What we see in YouTube is just a fraction of the original art.
The reason for this is because, REAL Kuthu Varisai practitioners DO NOT teach this art publicly to anyone and everyone who wants to learn this art.
In order to get knowledge about this art, and to learn this art, I had to go to the nook and corner of the villages in Thanjavur, Madurai and Nagercoil areas.
We all know that it was Raja Raja Cholan who built Angor Wat. It was during this time that the soldiers of Raja Raja Cholan taught both Kuthu Varisai and Silambam to the people of Cambodia.
Thuis Kuthu Varisai, later gave birth to another Martial Art in Cambodia named Bokator.
It is a Lethal and Practical street Martial Art.
Below i am linking a video of the History of Angor Wat and Bokator
In the Bokator portion, I am sure that those who have learnt Kuthu Varisai would know what is happening here.
THIS WAS HOW THE KHMERISH MARTIAL ART BOKATOR WAS FORMED.
KUTHU VARISAI AND SILAMBAM: THE ORIGIN OF LERDRIT, MUAY BORAN, MUAY THAI AND KRABI KRABONG:
Muay Boran (Ancient Muay Thai)
Lerdrit (Military Muay Thai)
Coming to know about the Martial Arts of Thailand we are sure that today, only Muay Thai is the common sports practiced here.
BUT, when we look at the History of Muay Thai, it is of no doubt that Muay Thai is only a SPORTS VERSION of Muay Boran.
Both Muay Boran and Lerdrit are practical and lethal martial arts.
The Cholas had very close ties with the people of Thailand.
All the inscriptions found in the South East Asian countries are in the Grantha script, in Tamil Language.
Chola traders worshipped karaikal
ammayar who was also called as "pei". Chola traders from
karaikal traded mostly with siam (thailand) and some settled there. One
such temple for karaikal ammayar(pei) is found in pimay,north east siam
Numerous Shiva Temples are found in Thailand.
NOT ONLY THAT -- EVEN TODAY THIRUPAVAI AND DEVARAM ARE SUNG IN THAILAND.
MOST OF THE THAILAND KINGS STARTED CALLING THEMSELVES AS CHOLAS.
Even Kamba Ramayana entered
thailand.Thais were devout hindus earlier. Thailand's earlier capital
was ayudhya(based on ramayana ayodhya).
The ramakin(ramayana) of thailand has
more similarities with kambaramayana than valmiki ramayana (annalum
nokkinal avalum nokkinal, mayil ravanan story which are unique to
kambaramayan appears in Ramakin.
Ramakin is a corrupt form of
"rama keerthi".
In Ramakin, rama is called as
'phra Ram'(Ramachandra prabu??) and seetha is called as 'nangsidha'
(nangai seetha ?)
AN ARAICHIMANI WAS TIED ON ALL THAI KINGS PALACE, BASED ON THE STORY OF MANU NEETHI CHOLAN
IT WAS DURING THIS PERIOD OF CHOLAS THAT THE THAI'S LEARNT THE FIGHTING ART OF THE CHOLAS, ESPECIALLY KUTHU VARISAI, WHICH LATER GAVE BIRTH TO LERDRIT AND MUAY BORAN.
THE ARMED MARTIAL ART OF THAILAND CALLED KRABI KRABONG WAS FROM VAAL VEECHU OF SILAMBAM MARTIAL ART (THE ARMED COMPONENT OF KUTHU VARISAI)
I AM SURE THAT ALL OF YOU ALL WOULD BE FAMILIAR THAT THE THAI MASSAGE IS VERY POPULAR, AND PEOPLE WHO VISIT THAILAND WOULD SURELY GO FOR A THAI MASSAGE.
THAI MASSAGE HAS ITS ROOTS IN VARMA KALAI MASSAGE FROM TAMIL NADU.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY THAI PEOPLE ARE VERY FRIENDLY WITH THE TAMILS.
THIS WAS HOW THAI MASSAGE AND THE MARTIAL ARTS OF THAILAND WERE DEVELOPED FROM TRADITIONAL TAMIL MARTIAL AND MEDICAL SYSTEMS
KUTHU VARISAI AND SILAMBAM: THE ORIGIN OF KALI, ESCRIMA AND ARNIS:
Unlike Thailand and Cambodia, The Filipino Martial Arts, which also had their roots in Traditional Tamil Arts, they give more importance to Weapon based arts.
The Armed Martial Art called Silambam in Tamil Nadu, is the predecessor of ALL Filipino MArtial Arts like Kali, Arnis and Escrima.
Double Short Stick Silambam
Rajendra Chola, son of the Raja Raja won many
countries in South East Asia. The inscription named all the countries and
islands he won around 1025 AD. K.A.Nilakanta Sastri, the greatest authority on
South Indian History has written about his conquests. But when he wrote about
the Cholas 75 years ago Laguna inscription was not discovere. Only Rajendra’s
Tamil inscription was known. Now we know Philippine islands were under Tamil
rulers even before Rajendra invaded South East Asian countries.
The Filipinos were ruled by the Cholas. It was during this time or even prior to that, that the Martial Arts of Kuthu Varisai and Silambam DOMINATED THE PHILIPPINES and gave birth to ALL THE 3 MARTIAL ARTS OF KALI, ESCRIMA AND ARNIS.
Especially, the Armed Martial Art of Silambam is the BASE for ALL Kali, Escrima and Arnis.
KUTHU VARISAI AND SILAMBAM: THE ORIGIN OF BER-SILAT AND PENTCAK-SILAT:
Ber Silat Demonstration
Pentcak Silat Demonstration
It is still such a wonder to see how the Armed Martial Art of Silambam has benn the DIRECT MOTHER OF MOST OF THE SOUTH EAST ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS.
Silambam students of France (Master Zacria Rahama)
Ber-Silat and Pentcak-Silat are also some of the children among the many children Martial Arts of Silambam.
When the Cholas had extensive Sea Trade with the Indonesians, the Weapons of Silambam Martial Art was one among the major trades with the Indonesians.
Both, Ber-silat and Pentcak-silat were born from Kuthu Varisai and Silambam.
Kuthu Varisai Padam
Beginners Kuthu Varisai Fight
BERSILAT AND PENTCAKSILAT MAKE USE OF WEAPONS AND EMPTY HANDS AS PRACTICED IN SILAMBAM AND KUTHU VARISAI.
THUS, WE SEE THAT ALL THESE SOUTH EAST ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS HAD THEIR ORIGIN IN KUTHU VARISAI AND SILAMBAM MARTIAL ARTS OF THE TAMILS.
Kuthu Varisai is a Martial Art of Tamil Nadu in India, which is said to be the MOTHER OF ALL OTHER MARTIAL ARTS IN THIS WORLD.
YES.... ALL OTHER MARTIAL ARTS OF THIS WORLD ARE EITHER A DIRECT OR INDIRECT DESCENDANT OF KUTHU VARISAI AND SILAMBAM.
Now, we are going to see in detail about the stages of training in Kuthu Varisai.
Solo Routines
Kuttu Varisai has got different stages of Training. They are :
Solo Routine or Solo Patterns
Patterns Practiced with Partners
Patterns practiced with partners
The following 6 stages are practiced as Solo Routine or Solo Patterns. They are :
Salutation
Punches
Kicks
Patterns of Defensive Stances
Basic Fight Patterns (Similar to Katas of Karate and Kung – Fu)
Advanced Fight Patterns (Similar to Katas of Karate and Kung – Fu, but very Advanced level Training)
The following 6 stages of Training are practiced with Partners or Opponents, for better understanding of a real time combat and full contact fight.
Basic Grappling (with Grips and Locks)
Advanced Grappling (with Advanced Grips and Locks)
Evasion of Attacks (Defensive Patterns)
Attacking Sequences (Offensive Patterns)
Close Combat Locks
FULL CONTACT FIGHT.
THE 6 STAGES OF SOLO ROUTINES / PATTERNS
SALUTATION
Salutation
There are 4 different types of Salutation used in Kuttu Varisai. They are :
Salutation to pay homage to their respective Gods
Salutation to show reverence to the pedagogue or Ahsan, from whom one learns this art.
Salutation to indicate the Sportsman’s Code of Healthy Rivalry to the Opponent at the Ring to prove his mettle through Fair Play
Salutation to the Anxious Gathering who have congregated to witness and enjoy the Chivalrous Contest.
PUNCHES
Punch and Elbow Strike
Punches used in Kuttu Varisai can be broadly classified into two types. They are :
Basic Punches
Variations of Basic Punches, known as Intermediate and Advanced Punches.
BASIC PUNCHES
There are 6 different types of Basic Punches used in Kuttu Varisai. They are :
Front Punch
Side Punch
Turn Around and Back Punch
Upper Punch
Middle Punch and
Lower Punch
ADVANCED PUNCHES
There are about 20 different types of Advanced Punches used in Kuthu Varisai, mainly the Variations or Improvised Versions of the Basic Punch Patterns. They are :
Back Fist
Eagle Claw
Eagle Strike
Elbow Strike
Extended Knuckle Punch or One Knuckle Punch
Finger Pokes or Scissor Finger Strike, Eye Strike
Four Knuckle Strike
Hammer Strike
Hook Punch
Jab Punch
Knife Hand Strike (similar to Karate Chop)
Mouth of Hand Strike
Palm Strike or Palm Heel Strike
Ridge hand Strike
Spear Hand
Spinning Back Fist
Straight Punch or Cross Punch, Rear Hand Punch
Thumb Strike
Tiger Claw or Throat Strike
Uppercut Punch
KICKS
Kuthu Varisai kicks (Adithadi)
The different types of Kicks used in Kuttu Varisai are :
Step Forward Kick
Static Standing Position Kick
Left Leg Kicks
Right Leg Kicks
Front Kick
Back Kick
Side Kick
Roundhouse Kick after Parrying
Roundhouse Kick to Face / Head
Roundhouse Kick to Ribs
Wave Kicks / Reversed Roundhouse Kick
Jump / Flying Kick
Roundhouse Kick at Ground Level
Horse – Back Kick facing Forward with hook backward to groin level with back of Heel.
Classifying Kicks based on Basic Kicks, and Advanced Kicks, they can be classified as :
BASIC KICKS
Some of the Basic Kicks used in Kuttu Varisai are :
Front Kick
Roundhouse Kick
Side Kick
Traditional Back Kick
Some of the Advanced Kicks used in Kuttu Varisai are :
Axe Kick
Butterfly Kick
Calf Kick
Crescent Kick
Hook Kick
Reverse Round / Heel Kick
Flying Kick
Scissor Kick
Vertical Kick (Thrust Kicks, Push Kicks and Side Kicks)
Multiple Kicks, without putting the leg down
Some of the Other Variations of the above mentioned Basic Kicks are as follows :
Axe Kick
Back Kick
Butterfly Kick
Butterfly Twist Kick (A more advanced version of Butterfly Kick)
Crescent Kick
Cut Kick
Foot Sweep Kick (known in Karate as Ashi Barai)
Flying Back Kick
Flying Front Kick
Flying Side Kick
Front Kick
Hook Kick or whip Kick
Jumping Back Kick
Jumping Front Kick or Flying Front Kick
Jumping Spinning Crescent Kick
Jumping Spinning Hook Kick or Jumping Reverse Hook Kick
Knee Strike
Round Knee Strike or Lateral Knee Strike
Push Kick
Roundhouse Kick or Round Kick
Double Roundhouse Kick or Jumping Double Roundhouse Kick
Downward roundhouse Kick, also known as “Brazilian Kick”
Scissor Kick
Shin Kick (Used in Muay Thai)
Side Kick
Hopping Side Kick or Step Behind Side Kick, Skipping Side kick
Spinning Roundhouse Kick or Turning Roundhouse Kick
Stomp Kick (In Karate : Fumikomi Kick)
Tornado Kick or Jumping Spinning Roundhouse Kick, 360 Roundhouse Kick
540 Roundhouse Kick
540 Spinning Hook Kick
PATTERN OF DEFENSIVE STANCES
Defensive Stance
Pattern of Defensive Stances (known as Nilay Kattu in Tamil), are the Techniques of Escape and Dodge an attack in a Full Contact Fight of Kuttu Varisai.
There are more than 10 Patterns of Defensive Stances used in Kuttu Varisai.
These Techniques are used to Dodge, Escape and Defend Oneself from Multiple and Armed and / or Unarmed Opponents.
Every positions / movements in this pattern are guarded well to prevent from opponents attacks. Usually, instructors will test each students in every single positions / movements by making some sorts of full-contact attack sequences to see defensive positions well-guarded by student. This routine is sometimes painful / hard for beginners in Kuttu Varisai and Silambam.
BASIC FIGHT PATTERNS
Basic Fight Patterns are known as Sala – Varisai in Tamil.
There are about 13 Sala – Varisai’s out of which the very first Sala – Varisai is called as Guru Sala – Varisai, which means, paying respect to the Teacher.
The remaining 12 Patterns resembles Katas used in Karate and Kung – Fu. The 12 Basic Patterns are primarily for beginners, before they go for Advanced Patterns and before they learn new techniques for a Real Time Combat in pairs.
ADVANCED FIGHT PATTERNS
Advanced Fight Patterns are known as Thani Sala – Varisai in Tamil
There are a total of about 5 Advanced Fight Patterns, which resemble advanced Katas of Karate and Kung Fu.
Advanced Fight Patterns are the last stage of Training in Kuttu Variasi for Solo Routines, and they form the Basis for training for a Real Time Combat in Pairs.
THE 6 STAGES OF TRAINING PRACTICED WITH PARTNERS / OPPONENTS
There are 6 stages of training practiced with partners or fellow students, they are:
Basic Grappling (Grips & Locks)
Advanced Grappling (Grips & Locks)
Defensive Patterns (Evading Attacks)
Offensive Patterns (Attacking Methods)
Close Combat Methods
Full Contact Fight
BASIC GRAPPLING METHODS:
Kuthu Varisai Grappling
There are 10 different types of Basic Grappling available. Once these 10 methods are mastered, the students gets ready to learn advanced grappling methods
ADVANCED GRAPPLING METHODS:
Advanced Grappling
There are 5 different types of advanced Grappling methods. These are either a variation of the basics or some are a combination of two or more of the basic grappling methods.
DEEFENSIVE PATTERNS:
Defensive Patterns are for evading the opponents attack. There are 10 different types of defensive patterns. These patterns are practiced with 3 variations on all the 12 arsenal directions.
OFFENSIVE PATTERNS:
There are 5 different types of Offensive Patterns. This is the final stage of the Attacking Method, it teaches Striking, Counters and Grappling as combinations. Almost every part of the body is used and every move uses the whole body (kinetic linking) to achieve maximum power from the practitioners strikes, locks and counters. Offensive Patterns has 3 variations for every strike, grip and counter in their arsenal and 12 angles. Once these techniques are learnt the practioner only has to use them in different combinations to come up with an unlimited number of attacks and defenses
CLOSE COMBAT LOCKS:
Close Combat Lock
Close Combat Locks is the stage in which Offensive Patterns and Advanced Grappling Methods are taught as a combination.
It teaches how to use the locking techniques and fighting techniques to use in a close range combat.
This is the MOST EFFECTIVE system of Martial Science for STREET COMBAT.
FULL CONTACT FIGHT:
Full Contact Fight
This is the final stage of training in Kuthu Varisai. In Full Contact Fight the students learn Striking, Counters and Grappling as combinations. Almost every part of the body is used and every move uses the whole body (kinetic linking) to achieve maximum power from the practitioners strikes, locks and counters. There are 3 variations for every strike, grip and counter in their arsenal and 12 angles. Once these techniques are learnt the practioner only has to use them in different combinations to come up with an unlimited number of attacks and defenses
Towel or Cloth Lock in Kuthu Varisai
There are five main stages of Full Contact Fight in Kuthu Varisai. They are
Empty Hand vs Empty Hand
Empty Hand vs Long Staff
Empty Hand vs Short Staff
Empty Hand vs Knife
Empty Hand vs Fighting multiple Armed and Unarmed Opponents
