As I have already discussed more information regarding varmam like varma types, methods, working procedure in my previous posts. So, interested readers can refresh their ideas in the following link. However, due to continuous requests from readers I would like to share some more additional information concerning varmam in this post.
Siththars documented in their poems as that the art of varmam was first originated by principal god Lord Siva. He himself taught this art to his better half Sakthi and from her, Nandhi Devar learned this art. Agathiyar in his poem told that he learned this art from Nandhi Devar.
Agathiyar noted this in his book “Odivu Murivu Saari” as follows”:
“பாதிமதி யணிபரமன் தேவிக்கிசைய
paathimathi yaniparaman thaevikkisaiya
பணிவுடனே தேவியிடம் நந்தீசர்வாங்கி
panivudanae thaeviyidam nantheesarvaangi
மகிழ்வாக எந்தனக்கு சொன்னாரப்பா
makizhvaaka enthanukku sonnaarappaa
வேதனை வாராமல் வர்மசூக்குமம்
vaethanai vaaraamal varmasookkumam
விபரமுடன் உந்தனுக்கு உரைக்கக்கேளே
viparamudan unthanukku uraikkakkaelae”
- அகத்தியர் (Agathiyar)
Bogar in his book “Bogar Varmasoothiram” told that, Lord Siva teach this art to goddess Sakthi and Devi Easwari told this to Nandhi and Nandhi taught him.
“தாரணிந்த ஈசன்று ஆயிக்குச் சொல்ல
thaaranaitha eesanru aayikkuch solla
தாயான ஈஸ்வரியும் நந்திக்குச் சொல்ல
thaayaana easwariyum nanthikkuch solla
பரிவுடனே நந்திசொன்ன மார்க்கம்
parivudanae nanthisonna maarkkam
பாடினேன் வர்மசூத்திரம் பண்பாய்தானே
paadinaen varmasooththiram panpaaiththaanae”
- போகர் (Bogar)
Pulipaani sithar, student o fBogar in his book “Varma Kaandam”, noted as follows:
பதாரம்தனைப் பணிந்து வர்மகாண்டம்
pathaaramthanaip paninthu varmakaanadam
பாடினேன் நாடிநரம்பு ஆனவாறும்
paadinaen naadinarambu aanavaarum
காதாரம் கொண்டுணர்ந்து என்னைஆண்ட
kaathaaram kondunarnthu ennai aanda
கடாட்சமது போகருட கருணை யாலே
kadaatchamathu Bogaruda karunai yaalae
வளமாகப் புலிப்பாணி பாடினேனே
valamaakap Pulippaani paadinaenae”
- புலிப்பாணி (Pulippaani)
From the above information, we can infer that even though this art of varmam is originated from Lord Siva, Nandhi Deva only taught and spread this art via his pupils. Nandhi Deva period might be belonging to 2nd century or 3rd century.
Regarding this varmam art, surplus stories can be heard. However, the genunity of those stories are questionable. However, in epics and literatures, lots of notes and direct/indirect information concerning varmm art is seen. In mahabharatha, we can quote this following incident as example; Bheema attacked the thigh of Duryodhana.
In ancient times, this varmam art is treated as art of living among common public and anyone can learnt from their teachers. After a specific period of time, that too after the domination of Western countries, this art is kept hidden and secretly taught and get vanished over time.
Only small numbers of books are available with this varmam information.
Let us see the concerned information in upcoming posts.
Interesting right!!
Original – www.siththarkal.com
Translated by Lalithambika Rajasekaran
