chapter1, page16

Author's Comment

*Varma kalai is 'the art of vital points' . Originally it was a form of healing art 'Varma chittiram' used in the southern peninsula of India. It is later said to have transformed into a form of martial art. A person who has mastered this art form is said to have the power of life and death.

This art concentrates in attacking vital pressure points on the human body, resulting in either incapacitating the attacker or cause unconsciousness or even death. This art form teaches self defense or attack without weapons. Masters of this martial art however sometimes use a stick that is as thin and long as a finger, with which they attack. These sticks are called Varma sticks and are concealed cleverly by the wielder. A varma teacher is called an Aasaan, and can impart his knowledge only to a pupil in whom he has identified specific qualities. Training then takes up to 12 years and covers a vast range of subjects.

According to some, a Pallava prince Bodhidharma traveled to China to preach Buddhism. He is said to have influenced the thought of physical and spiritual excellence in the Shaolin monastery, and imparted the Varma kalai knowledge there. Varma kalai is one of the many art forms that was practiced in South India, many of which were influenced by the countries that were in trade or political contact with her. Silambu (fighting with the staff, like the one that Neel uses), kuttu varisai (a kind of fighting that used foot work and hand to hand combat closer to the lines of kung-fu or karate) Malyudham (wrestling, said to be a roman influence) are just a few among the many that was practiced during that period.