NEDUMANGAD:Have you ever wondered why medicos are always seen in white? How many types of surgical knives are used in the practice of ancient Siddha medicine? Or for that matter, from where did Siddha medicine originate?
Meet V Gireesh Kumar of Kunnunada at Nedumangad, a traditional Siddha-Marma medicine practitioner for more than 18 years. The 38-year-old traditional healer also teaches martial arts at his ancestral house AMV Kalarisangham. One of the very few practitioners of ‘Siddha-Marma’ treatment, Gireesh is however thinking about giving it up as there are very few takers for such rigorous practices these days.
“A book on ancient medicine- ‘Adinool Sasthram’, clearly defines how a medicinal practitioner should be - his daily practices, routines, what he should wear, how to approach life and why white is the most suitable clothing for them. Similarly, the book ‘Karuvinool 1500’ mentions about 36 types of knives used by ancient medicos for surgeries. What’s more? It’s even said that Sage Agasthya who’s believed to be one of the foremost practitioners of ancient medicine went to Germany using ‘Gamana Mani’, believed to be a rare method in the ancient treatment system,” he says.
Many Siddha-Marma and Ayurveda practitioners approach him for guidance and studies. However, these days it’s very difficult to take it forward, as the requisite support from authorities is seldom rendered. A Kalaripayattu champion from 1996-2001, Gireesh also imparts martial instruction to students.
He has obtained commendations and certifications from various institutes and organisations across the country for martial arts instruction and Siddha treatment. The recognitions include the ‘Siddha Maruthuva Pandit’ title from the Siddhra Maruthuva Gurukulam in Madurai, Certificate in martial arts from the Rashtriya Yuva Utsava in Calcutta, the ‘Kala Jnana Pandit’ title and certificates from the Agastheeshwar Medical Trust in Thiruvananthapuram and the Alternative Medical Council in Calcutta.
“I learnt Kalari from Amar Gurukal. In medicine, Bhaskaran Vaidyar, a well-known practitioner of traditional medicines at Kuzhithurai was my first Guru. I learnt medicinal practices from one of the five families, believed to be the descendants of Therer, the disciple of Saint Agasthya. We used to learn from very ancient books, many of whose hand-written copies I have with me,” Gireesh says.
Unlike the usual belief, Gireesh says Ravana is the pioneer of Siddha treatment. “There are many books by Ravana like ‘Mathru Maruthwam’, a book on diseases that can affect women, ‘Udakoor’ which is currently being taught at Ayurveda Colleges, ‘Neerkuri Sasthram’ and ‘Chinnarmani Velicham’ on Siddha Vaidyam. Siddha offers medicines for many complicated diseases,” he avers.
Gireesh has patients and medicinal practitioners approaching him on a daily basis. “There are medicines about which the world doesn’t know like Navagraha Vella, Kalantha Gauri, Arumukha Chindooram, Neelanda Bala, Markandeya Mezhuku, Valiyangadi and Chittedathe kudineeru. And it’s time we did something to preserve this ancient wisdom which otherwise would be lost for the coming generations. As of now, my effort is to bring it out in print so that future generations will benefit,” he signs off.