Tamil martial arts, one of the most ancient form of fighting techniques, is rich in the science of combat involving hand-to-hand (Kuttu-Varisai), footwork (Kaal-adimaanam), and weapons. Various aspects of this five thousand year-old art have been handed down as part of family tradition.
 

Aasaan Pathmakumar hails from one such family from the brave soil of Valvettithurai, Tamil Eelam (Northern Province of Current Sri Lanka), which trained in locks (Pootu-Pirivu), pressure-points (Marmam-Adi),and weapons such as bamboo staff (Silambam) and deer antlers (Maduvu). At an early age, his training was initiated by his grand father Sivasubramaniyam Thandaiyal (a famous sailor in the early 1900s), his father Velummylum, his paternal aunt and uncle on the proud soil of Tamil Eelam. Dedication, love and inclination towards the traditional martial arts allowed him to quickly master the fundamental skills and readied him for advanced training.

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Under the guidance of Grand Master SothiSivam Nataraja, Aasaan Pathmakumar undertook rigorous training and pursued specialization of five major styles, namely Marukkanam, Thulukkanam, Paniyeri Mallan, Karnataka Varisai, and Kuravanji. Earning the faith of Grand Master SothiSivam Nataraja and proving his prowess on the various styles and weapons such as silambam, dagger (Kathi), sword (Vaal), maduvu, and flexibile-sword (SurulVaal), Aasaan Pathmakumar was asked by his teacher to take the unbreakable vow to uphold honour of this powerful art before being revealed to the closely guarded secrets of the Tamil martial arts.
 

Realizing the tremendous potential of this art to uplift the human psyche, Aasaan Pathmakumar was inspired to establish the Aathi Silambam Martial Arts Academy. Over the span of thirty-two years, he has dedicated himself to carry forward this ancient art and has trained approximately a thousand students. Transformation of his students in terms of improved strength, stamina, speed, sharpness, self-confidence, stoicism, and self-control motivates him to uphold and spread this art.

Aasaan Pathmakumar’s efforts have been contributory towards the revival of the ancient Tamil martial arts and creating a cultural identity for the Canadian Tamil community.