Kalari Marma Chikiltsa and Uzhichil or Treatment (Family Tradition)

Marma's

The word ‘Marma’ stems from the Sankrit-words ‘mrung’ or ‘marane’. ‘Marane’ means death”. “Mrung” means close death 107 vital spots on the human body can be injured or hurt in a way that provokes immediate death or death within days. The contact with these vital spots will happen in a way that the breath will be blocked and a person will die that way. Marma’s are central points of life.

In total there are six types of Marma’s

• Asthimarmam (bones)
• Mamsa-marmam( flesh)
• Snayu-marmam( tendons)
• Siraa-marmam (arteries)
• Dhamani-marmam (veins)
• Sandhi-marmam (joints)

Choondu Marmam

Use the first finger pointing to the vital spot of the human body. These technique was used before the sages in their power of mantras. Even now some masters keep this tradition.

Kulabhyasa Marmam
In the Kalaripayatt-system out of these 107 vulnerable points, 64 points are selected to aim at in the various categories of fights.

The Marmam-system has been found mainly by four rishi’s (or sages) named susruthan, Vagbada acharyan, Ashtanga - hridayakarakan and Agasthyar. The student that passed the four categories of Kalaripayatt-teaching (body control-exercise, wooden weapons, metal weapons and unarmed combat) will be further examined by the Gurukkal on the level of discipline, trust in his Gurukkal, control mind and “Ekagratha” (oneness), before he will introduced in the knowledge of the Marmas. He will have to bow in front of the Kalarigods, former gurus and present guru that he will not abuse this scared knowledge. Only in cases of self defence he can use part of knowledge to save his own life. Practising Marma-Prayogas with Chottachaan is equally important as in otta payatu.

(Thus could be included in a special chapter on MARMA’s) of and Marmas in the body, 64 are considered as Kulabhyasa Marmas.

Kalari Marma Chikiltsa and Uzhichil (Family Tradition)

Marmachiltsa is the treatment of the vulnerable parts of the human body. From olden days the Kalaripayatt Gurukkals faced the problem of injuries during fights or practise and they had to find a way to solve the issue. Massages are a very common way of treating an injury. In our Vallabhatta Kalari Sangam institution Marma Chikiltsa is carried on hereditarily since decades back.

The important element in Kalaripayat training is the whole body foot massage or Chavutti Uzhichil given to the students by the master. The sessions of foot massages lasting 7 to 14 days during the Monsoon period improves flexibility of the muscles and joints, stimulate circulation and rejuvenates muscular and nervous system of the body and above all tunes up the practitioner’s body to a right balance of muscular strength and flexibility. For, Marma Chikilsa, the ancient Indian massage system unites the patient and the healer. This massage system is closely linked with the martial art of Kerala, Kalaripayattu and its classical dance form, Kathakali.

Ulsathana (foot massages) and Samvahanam (hand massage) treatments are purely based on susrutha and vagbhada achariyas (two sages) method mentioned in the Ayurvedic Grendhas (palmleaf-inscriptions that contain the assembled knowledge of the ancestors in the Kalari’s). This system is over and above the Bali and jambuvan (The two epic figures of mahabharatha known for a science in which they used massages).

Uzhichil (complete body massage) is done by applying medicated oil to attain a healthy constitution, body flexibility and proper blood circulation. This treatment also helps to cure many physical aliments, in the foot massage he massagist is performing the massage mainly with his feet while hanging to the ropes with both hands. The ropes help him to control his own balance and the pressure of the strokes.

The massagist’s knowledge of the vital spots (Marma’s of the human body is indispensable to perform this type of massage. Women will be massaged (hand massage) only by female massagists.

Kizhi chikitsa is a special status. Roots, Herbs, or leaves will be put in a cloth. That’s call Kizhi. “Geedrenkt” in heated oil after which the specific spot will be treated. Swellings, blood clotting or rheumatic diseases are treated by this technique.

All the Kalari Chikilsa and Marma Chikilsa in Vallabhatta Kalari Chavakkad done by C.Sankaranaraya Menon (Unni Gurukkal) and his wife K.P.Soudamini Amma. She is also coming from Kozhissery Punnakkal Kalari Family, Ozhur, Tirur, Malappuram District and their children K.P.Krishnadas, K.P.Rajeev, K.P.Dinesan and K.P.Nirmala also doing under their close supervision.