COMBAT MAGAZINE, UK INTERVIEW DR. YUREE REGARDING COMBAT VARMA KALAI
Dr Yuree - An ancient answer to a modern day problem
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Dr. Yuree is the founder of the Combat Self Defence (CSD) system and is one of
the World’s leading martial arts Masters, and an unarmed combat veteran specialising
in using military defence tactics. He is anti-terrorist trainer and expert on
security, explosives and search and recognition and also a lecturer to various
Government Security and Intelligence Agencies. Dr. Yuree is the President of the
World Combat Self-Defence Federation and Founder President of the World
Butthan Martial Arts Federation. Now resident in the UK we recently spoke to him
exclusively regarding his plans to establish his specialist system in this country.
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Where were you born and when did you begin training?
I was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh and was schooled in a
British missionary school there. I took up martial arts at
the age of nine. Later I took part in a leadership programme
at a military institute where I received strict
mental and physical training education aimed at creating
leaders and making students strong. I remember how we
had to wear full military uniform during classes! I studied
military science in addition to my regular studies and
became a physical training demonstrator. I became
instructor of the institute’s Self-Defence Society. I was
privileged to be part of such a system and the qualities
of honour and integrity that I learned from a very early
age are with me today!
Which martial art did you become involved with?
I learned the martial art of Varma-kalai, which is the art
of healing and killing developed in South India. It originated
from a healing system called Varma Cuttiram. This
has its roots in Siddha medicine, which is said to be the
oldest medical science on earth.
Varma-kalai identifies basic 108 Varma points, the
striking of which can knock-out, incapacitate or even
kill the other person! Other side effects include
delayed death or paralysis. These effects can be neutralised
by specialised techniques or a pressure on a
related vital point.
As you might imagine, this is an extremely dangerous
system, which is not taught except at government level,
and then to special forces only. However, you can find
places in India where the Varma-kalai Aaasaan (Master)
acts as a local doctor - though the government’s strict
control over this art has made the combat form of
Varma-kalai almost extinct.
Have you ever needed to use Varma-kalai in a combative
situation?
Yes! Like everyone at some stage of life you have to
deal with such situations and in my case, my training
gave me the upper hand in every sense of the word
when I most needed it.
India has a rich cultural heritage of martial art, doesn’t it?
Yes it has, and I have recently published a book on this
very subject, though I admit that much of what I have
written comes from a compilation of existing books, the
contents of which are well supported by many paintings,
statues and writings.
Most historical sources acknowledge that martial arts
originated in India and travelled with Bodhidharma to the
Shaolin Temple. However, attention then switches to the
Shaolin Temple while India’s arts are thereafter largely
marginalised. There is no doubt that India is the motherland
of martial arts, and Bodhidharma is the father of
many of the systems still practised today.
I have gone back from the Shaolin Temple to
Kanchipuram (the birth place of Bodhidharma as 3rd
Prince of King Sugandha). I gathered physical first hand
information from translated Chinese documents, Tamil
documents, and from professors of history at these
important locations. I believe that readers will gain many
new insights through the information I have uncovered.
So what elements of this long-established culture will you be
teaching UK practitioners?
I wanted to introduce something that works for all modern
people, delivering an effective system for ensuring
their personal protection and safety within the minimum
time-frame. I have named and registered what I teach
as ‘Combat Self-Defense (CSD). My system covers
psychological preparation
and application of
effective approaches to
modern day threats. Most
of us never even realize the
need of such training until it’s
too late!
CSD teaches practitioners to
overcome stressful situations
through mental preparedness
allied to realistic and effective
countermeasures for every
threat-based situation. Besides,
I wish to offer a wide range of
traditional weapons and a modern
Indo-Chinese version of martial
art as well, depending on that
my students want.
The basis for my CSD lies in
Butthan, which is a modern Indo-
Chinese martial art from the motherland
of martial arts that includes mental
and physical aspects of self-defence
designed to work within the requirements
and environment of the 21st century. It is
great for fitness, motivation, discipline, mental
sharpness, self-respect and much more
besides. Butthan has been described as ‘The
Noble Art of Stopping Fight and Enlightenment’
for modern society.
Add to this Cho-Thaing (the art of rope combat)
which uses techniques from Dhobipyate. This too will
be taught.
What makes you think you are qualified to set up and teach
an effective system?
I’ve studied military science from an early age before
enlisting in Special Forces and law enforcement training.
I completed a Commissioned Officer’s Course in the
National Security Academy, USA, graduating in Security
Management levels 1, 2 and 3. I became an instructor
with the PR24 side-handled and extendable baton and
followed through with training with America’s National
Rifle Association.
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I completed the International Bodyguard Association
Master Class during 1996, prior to my studies in USA.
Now I currently serve as Director General of the Global
Executive Protection and Security Training Agency
(GEPSTA) which has its headquarters in Singapore.
Finally I have qualified as an SIA (level 3) in close protection
training in the UK.
Will studying your system make a difference in the face of
increasing levels of knife and gun crime, do you think?
It wouldn’t be wise to believe that studying ANY traditional
martial art can make a difference. On the other hand,
it also wouldn’t be wise to believe that all martial arts are
completely ineffective in the face of today’s threat environment.
Bear in mind that all reality-based systems
depend upon martial arts techniques.
I recommend that, in the face of increasing gun and
knife crime, people should choose a realistic system that
works in real-life situations and one that is taught by an
experienced and accredited teacher.
Such a system gets you used to all possible situations,
so you develop a systematised approach to them
in your head. After all, you will agree that it is always
better to face a situation you have been taught to recognise
and respond effectively to than having to deal with
what comes as a total surprise.
Combat Self Defence (CSD) uses skillful seminars to
teach you how to respond effectively while dealing with
your unconscious adrenalin rush. However, CSD does
not pretend to offer some sort of magic solution! Instead
it offers a proven and scientific approach to dealing with
all aspects of violent confrontation.
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Switching tracks, I believe you are a member of several
Halls of Fame and International martial art organisations.
That is true. For example, during 2006 The
International Combat Martial Arts Union Association
recognised me as World Leader in Combat Martial
Arts. In 2007 The Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame
(USA) recognised me as the Grand Master of the Year.
That same year I was inducted into the World Martial
Arts Hall of Fame (USA). This July, I was inducted into
the World Black Belt Hall of Fame at a ceremony
organised by International Institute of Martial Arts
Research. I was also recognised as Grandmaster of
the Year. This was both a happy and a sad occasion
because it marked the very last time that I met our legendary
Shaolin Head Monk, the late Grandmaster Shi-
De-Qian.
Which has been your most memorable day thus far?
There have been two very special and memorable days
in my life so far. The first was my invitation to meet and
demonstrate my art with top grand masters of Myanmar!
I was presented with technical documents and books,
and asked to be ambassador for Bando in the western
world. The highest ranking Grandmaster and President
of the Myanmar Thaing (Burmese Martial Arts
Federation), U Mia Thin, told me that he couldn’t recall
a reception being given for anyone outside of the country
within the last twenty years!
The second was when Grand Master Khin Moung
Gyi, who is President of the South East Asian Bando
Association (SEABA), officially declared me his successor
- despite having senior students in China, India,
France and USA! He handed over the successor documentation
to me at an official ceremony! This was truly a
great honour indeed!
Finally, how can instructors and students contact you?
I can be contacted by ‘phone at 0779-915-0506 (UK) or
0800-255-0273 (International). You can also e-mail me
via: combatselfdefense@yahoo.com or
butthanhq@yahoo.com. Be sure to visit www.combatselfdefense.
com, www.butthan.net and www.combatselfdefense.
org for detailed information.
Thank you for introducing yourself to our readers!
I look forward to hearing from them. Thank you!
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