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Thursday 6 February 2020

ADIMURAI - The First Martial science in the World

ADIMURAI - The First Martial science in the World

         In continuation from my previous post which elaborates about the oldest martial arts from ancient Tamizhagam. The origin, glory and history of ADIMURAI were explained over there. 

In this post, the different Stages, Sub stages of AdiMurai and its details are explained.       

      The world's first martial arts was from Tamizhagam and it was called as 'Adi Murai'. In Tamil, 'Adi' means 'To hit', 'Murai' means 'Method', together it means 'Laws / Methods of Hitting' . It is the oldest martial arts and  it has laid foundation for various other types of martial arts and fighting techniques in the world. More than a martial arts, it is called as Martial / Combat science. 

        To learn first level of Adi murai, one must go through severe physical fitness trainings and exercises. AdiMurai places more emphasis of unarmed combat and gives more practice on this part, which makes the student to come up with unlimited number of different striking techniques. Only after mastering the unarmed combat, one can learn the fighting techniques using weapons .



         Adi Murai is also called as Varma Murai, Adi Murai is the mother of all Martial arts in the world and the most famed Kalaripayattu is not an exception to this. From this ADIMURAI, many martial arts were evolved in the Eastern and Western side of the World.        

    A modified version of Adi murai is incorporated into Kalaripayattu schools in Kerala in the named of 'Thekkan Kalari' (In Tamil, Tekkan means Southern).
      
                 When the mighty Pandya Kings ruled the Rich and fertile land 'Kumari Kandam', they were excelled in Martial arts and Science as well. Where ever they explored, Pandyas conquered the place as they were exemplary in ADIMURAI and War techniques. Adimurai Aasans (Teachers) will teach this fighting styles to Soldiers at the King's Palace and to the Soldiers getting trained for the battlefield. When Pandyas and Chola kings ruled the world, they have introduced this fighting style to the local people and now it's been called in different names across the globe. 

       ADIMURAI was first introduced by Maharishi Agathiyar, who is the First Siddhar and Father of Siddha Medicine. ADIMURAI was also mentioned in Sangam literatures and as stone carvings at many temples in India .


ADITHADI against a wild Animal

       The first and basic level of ADIMURAI is ADITHADI, which is an unarmed combat. Shaolin Kung fu, Karate, Taekwondo were born out of this ADITHADI. It comprises of Striking, Blocking, Grappling and combination of all the three methods.

Adi Murai is combined with Vaasi Yoga (Yoga for Well being / Meditation) and Varma Vaithiyam (Healing Science) combinedly to form a art called as 'Varma Kalai', which is the base of Siddha Medicinal system. Not to confuse Varma Kalai with Adi murai, they both are different. (Varma Kalai will be pen downed as a separate post)

Adi Murai consists of three major and important stages / levels. They are

1. Adi thadi (Unarmed Combat)
2. Ayudha Murai (Weapon based combat science)
3. Varma Adi (Pressure point attacks) 

Let us see one by one starting from 'Adi Thadi'.

1. Adi thadi - It is an unarmed combat, one has to defeat the opponent either by using hands, legs or head butts. It is broadly classified into three components. 

A. Adi (Attack) - Striking Sequences - Kuthu Varisai

         In this sub level, first striking sequences will be taught. It teaches about 

 Striking with Hands - Kai Kuthu Varisai (In Tamil), 
 Striking with legs - Kaal Kuthu Varisai (In Tamil)
 Striking with Head butts - Nethi Adi (In Tamil)

      These Adithadi and Kuthu varisai fighting techniques were practiced from 10,000 BCE, during the era of Kumari Kandam. At that time, it was primarily used to save themselves from dacoits, thieves and wild animals.





Shaolin Kung fu


Bokator in Cambodia

  Kuthu varisai - In tamil 'Kuthu' means Punch and 'Varisai' means sequence. This Kuthu Varisai is also called as empty handed Silambam. In the martial arts of Silambam, before going to the weapon based fighting techniques, empty handed striking sequences will be taught. Kuthu varisai has different stages of training, such as Solo patterns and pair patterns. 

   It was taught as a part of Adithadi, but it can be taught as standalone martial arts as well. Also, it is an empty handed martial arts which employs fighting techniques based on the movement of aggressive animals. The basic stands and posses of Animals and Birds are 

1. Tiger
2. Snake
3. Eagle
4. Monkey
5. Elephant


       Tamil Kshatriya Prince Bodhi Dharma from Kanchipuram went to China and taught Kuthu Varisai, the empty handed fighting techniques to the Chinese people to protect themselves from local bandits. He was a Master of Adi Murai, Adithadi, Kuthu Varisai, Varma Kalai and Silambam. He was also called as 'Father of Shaolin Kung fu' and 'Father of Eastern Martial arts' .


Stone carving of Bodhidharma at Shaolin Temple

      Bodhidharma is the founder of martial arts at Shaolin Temple.  The Shaolin Kung fu and Japanese Karate was born out of Kuthu Varisai. 

           The basic fight patterns of Kuthu varisai is similar to Katas of Karate, Kung fu and Taekwondo. It has six different style of basic punches. In Advanced level, there are 20 different styles of punches. 

Note: For punches alone, kuthu varisai has many different styles and levels. After punches, it deals with Kicks, Defensive stances and much more.

     The advanced level of Kuthu varisai is much lethal and advanced than the highest level of Karate and Shaolin Kung fu. 

In addition to Kuthu Varisai, breathing exercise, Yoga and meditaion are taught. All these techniques can also be found in Shaolin Kung fu taught by Bodhidharma.




B. Thadu (Block) - Blocking Sequence - Thadu Varisai

         Blocking with Head, Blocking with Hand and Blocking with legs techniques will be taught. 

In Tamil, it is called as 'Thalai Thadupugal' - Blocking with head
'Kai Thadupugal' - Blocking using hands
'Kaal Thadupugal' - Blocking using legs




C. Pidi (Grapple) - Grappling Sequence - Pidi Varisai

         Locks, counters and throws. There are six stages of grappling levels practiced with students.  

1. Basic Grappling
2. Advanced Grappling
3. Defensive patterns
4. Offensive Patterns
5. Close Combat methods
6. Full contact fight

In the basic stage alone, there are 10 different styles of grappling





 Grappling technique depicted in the stone carving


 Adi Varisai - Attacking Sequence

         Adithadi practitioners will first learn Striking using Hands, legs and headbutts, Blocking and Grappling sequences like locks, counters and throws. At the final stage of Adithadi, there is a method called 'Adi varisai' which teaches about the combination of striking, grappling and counters that uses every part of the body and whole body power will be used for maximum power in the strike. 

      It teaches 3 variations for every strike. Once these techniques are learnt, the practitioners will use them in different combinations for unlimited attacks and defenses.

    Once the students has learned all these levels of unarmed combat, they will perform pair fighting by using these techniques. 

       This first lesson of Adi Thadi is called in different names across the globe, such as
  •  China - Shaolin Kung Fu, 
  •  Japan - Karate, Jujutsu
  •  Korea - Taekwondo, 
  • Malaysia - Pencak Silat, 
  • Indonesia - Pencak Silat, 
  • SriLanka - Angampora, 
  • Cambodia - Bokator, 
  • Thailand - Muay Thai, Muay Boran 

Towel as Self Defense

      In olden days, all the Men in Tamizhanagm put a towel on their shoulders, when they step out of their home. That Towel can also be used as a weapon against the enemies to fight with. You can't see this type of fighting technique anywhere else in the World. A Towel can also be used in self defense. 



     This unarmed combat 'ADITHADI' is the source for many martial arts in the world, being called in different names



2. Ayudha Murai

Next component of Adi Murai is called as 'Ayudha Murai', which is a weapon based combat science. Ancient Tamilakam had many unique and powerful weapons. Ayudha Murai teaches about many different types of attacks using these unique weapons. 

1. Neel Kambu (Long stick)

2. Kathi (Knife)



3. Vettu Kathi / Aruvaal



4. Vaal (Sword)



5. Vaalum keedayamum (Sword and Shield)


6. Surul Vaal (Flexible round Sword). 

This is the deadliest weapon, which is very sharp and dangerous. It requires less strength to swing, it works based on the centrifugal force. If a person is not trained enough to handle this weapon, it can hurt themselves badly. This weapon was borrowed from Ayudha Murai to Kalaripayattu. This weapon is also used in Silambam martial arts. When not in use, it will be coiled around the waist as a belt.



7. Sedhi Kutchi (Small stick)




8. Katari



9. Valari

This iron returning weapon was invented by ancient Tamizh people, which was also used in Wars by Tamizh Kings. With this weapon as a model, Boomerang was developed by Australians. The history and root of this weapon was recorded in Tamizh Sangam Literature 'Purananooru'.



        Many other weapon fighting techniques are also taught in Ayudha Murai. In reference to these martial arts dating back to Sangam era, there were many fighting weapons excavated from the Adichanallur, an archaeological site at Tamil Nadu.



         Ayudha Murai is a deadly weaponary art and does not have sports component to it. It has several stages and lessons to it

1. Kaaladi varisai - Footworks sequence



2. Ayudha Varisai - Weapon sequence




3. Sandai paada Murai - Fighting against skilled opponent with weapon



4. Padai Veechu - Fighting against multiple armed and unarmed opponents




         This Ayudha Murai techniques were incorporated into Cambodian martial arts by Chola Kings of Tamil Nadu. It was called as 'Bokator', an oldest existing martial arts of Cambodia. 

        The stone carvings at Cambodian temple, depicts the Ayudha Murai fighting techniques using a weapon called 'Aruval'. (Weapon Number 3, mentioned in the Ayudha Murai section)


Aruval weapon used in Cambodian fight

3. Varma Adi

           Varma Adi is the final and advanced stage of Adi Murai. Varma Kalai and Varma Adi are not the same, Varma Adi deals with striking at the vital pressure points of the human body either in an empty hand or using a blunt weapon (stick). Varma is also called as Marma points located at the specific parts of the body and application of pressure in those points will affect the vital energy (Prana) of the body and Nadis of the body. 

Varma Kalai and Marma Kalai are not the same. Varma Kalai is based on Siddhar tradition and Marma Kalai based on Ayurvedic traditions.

      There are 108 pressure points in our human body, in Tamil it is called as 108 Varmams / Marmam in Malayalam, Marmam - means Secret in Tamil, that is secret points of the body. Varma Adi teaches about the locations and angles of attacks / Strikes to hit at those pressure points. These points are targeted to kill / to disable the opponent quickly with minimal effort. Varma adi is taught to students only after the expertise of Adithadi and Ayudha Murai stages. But, these are also taught at the advanced stage of Adi Murai and Kuthu Varisai (Kuthu Varisai is part of Adi Thadi)



 Varma Adi is the last and most advanced stage of ADIMURAI. The learners who completes this stage successfully will get the title as 'Aasan' (Teacher) / 'Varma Yogi'. Varma Adi is also called as

  • 'DIM MAK' in China, 
  • 'KYUSHO JUJUTSU' in JAPAN, 
  • 'SYSTEMA' in RUSSIA,
  • 'FILIPINO KYUSHO' in Filipino etc
There are three component of Varma Adi. They are

  1. Mudhrangal (Finger positions)
  2. Miyangal (Centers)
  3. Adigal and Adangal (Attacks and Revival)
MUDHRANGAL - Finger Positions

       First in order to strike at the vital point of the body, bare hands can not be used. There are certain finger positions, which are used for specific type of attack at particular points. There are 12 basic finger positions (Note : basic number is 12, more than 12 finger positions can be used based on the knowledge of the learner)


MIYANGAL (Centers)

        This teaches about the 108 vital points of the human body and its functions. 



Adigal (Attacks) is broadly classified into  2 different types of Varmam 

A. Padu Varmam (Lethal point attack)

     There are 12 dangerous vital points in our body, attack on which causes fatal and severe effects on the opponent.


1. Varma Puzhi Adi

      This stage teaches about the concept of striking at 108 vital pressure points of the human body. Each Varma points gives different effects on the body. Note: In order to strike at the vital points, finger positions, centers / points at the body and the type of strike together makes an attack.

       Varma Adi will paralyze an opponent immediately, some type of attack will kill the opponent in the time period of 3 months or 6 months depending on the pressure points being attacked.
                
2. Varma Naramb Adi

         Varma Naramb Adi deals with technique of striking at specific nerves of the human body.  In Tamil, Naramb means Nerves. 

It teaches about the nervous system of the human body and the special nerve points. Varma Naramb Adi is used in both martial arts and healing (Varma Vaithiyam). In Varma Vaithiyam, Naramb Adi is taught as one of the lesson to heal human injuries.



            Using this Narmab Adi technique, striking at specific nerves of the human body will make the opponent to disable, paralyses, collapse and even can kill them. This technique is also used in 'Varma Vaithiyam', to heal the affected person and makes them to re gain their consciousness.


3. Varma Elumbu Adi

           Varma Elumb Adi deals with fighting technique of striking at bones and joints of the human body. In Tamil, Elumb means Bones. This technique teaches about the bones and joints of the human body. 



 As mentioned in the Naramb Adi, this Elumb Adi is also used in healing bone fractures and joint injuries. 

           Now a days, this martial arts aspect of this technique is not taught and  it is mostly used only in healing as 'Elumbu Murivu maruthuvam' (Bone fracture treatment). Only few families, who has the palm leaf manuscripts knows this Elumb Adi details. 


B. Thodu Varmam (Commom point attack)

     There are 96 Varmam points in our body which are triggered by specific touch. These are not deadly, but it can paralyze the opponent, will be made to disable their organ movements and its functions.

Adangal (Revival), it teaches about the revival techniques to heal the injuries in the body, which are caused by the attacks. There are 51 Adangal in the human body. These Adangals are used to cure /  to rectify injuries caused to the Varma points / Caused by the Varma point. There are many more methods of revivals, but it is broadly classified as 

A. Miyam Adangal (Revival at center)
B. Podu Adangal (Common Revivals)

More about revivals will be covered in 'Varma Vaithiyam' section of Varma Kalai post.

           Now, coming back to Varma Adi, Varma Adi is the last and most important component of Adi Murai. Adi Murai is the only martial arts in the world which teaches about pressure points (Varma points) of the body in detail. Also, in this Varma Adi another unique and mastermind concepts are taught. 

Amirtha nillai (Nectar Placement).  That is, the effectiveness of the attack on Varma points varies with the movement of the Moon. The most effective point changes with the movement of Moon, starting from toe to head and vice versa once in fifteen days. The movement will be of X shape. The Varma points and it's position will travel in opposite direction. This technique can't be found in any other martial arts in the world. 




        This proves that The Ancient Tamizh Sages have already discovered that the movement of moon IS RELATED to cycle of  human body. Need more proof about Knowledge of Tamizh Siddhars ??!!


   There are many such unique techniques (Kuthu Katai Technique, Knock outs using Internal energy etc), which are not revealed to public, it is kept as secret and it is only known to specific families, which are passed through generations. These Unique techniques can not be found in Kalaripayattu, Angampora, Dim Mak, Systema, Jujutsu, Bokator, Atemi - Waza, Karate, Kung fu, Taekwondo, Muay Boran etc


      Varma Adi is also practiced in China in the name 'Dim Mak', as taught by Bodhidharma. 



Karate , Jujutsu and Atemi - Waza were originated from Varma Adi.


Kali, a Filipino martial arts



Varma Adi as 'Systema' in Russia, which mainly focuses on empty handed striking techniques.




           Currently, this Adimurai is a dying martial art of Tamil Nadu, which needs to be revived and the history needs to be rewritten to loudly state about the glory and origin of ADIMURAI. Let the World know about the different types of Martial arts and science  such as ADIMURAI, SILAMBAM, MALYUDHAM and VARMA KALAI which were widely practiced during the era of Ancient Tamizhagam (10,000 BCE).



- Aarthi Thiyagarajan

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