Discover

:''For similar surname, see Verma.''
'Varma' or 'Varman' (Hindi वर्मा varmā [Sanskrit वर्म+कः]) is a honorific title and surname. Originally affixed to the names of Kshatriya rulers^[1] in India and South East Asia, "Varma" (or "Varman") is also used as a surname in modern times.
Varma can refer to:

Contents

Varma/Varman (title)

Varma (surname)

References

Varma/Varman (title)

★ The title "Varma" or "Varman" was used as a secondary title by many rulers in princely states of India, and in South East Asia.

★ Varman was the official title of the Khmer kings of Cambodia. The king who built Angkor complexes was known as Jayavarman.

★ The rajahs of Kerala also used "Varma" as a title and surname. Before taking up the title of Varma, a ceremony known as hiranyagarbhan, "golden womb" was performed. The essential feature of this ceremony was the casting of a hallow golden vessel through which the raja passed. On emerging from the vessel, the raja's caste status rose from Nair Samanthans to Kshatriya. The Varma Rajahs could marry from Samanthan or Nair families of high status, preferably the Thampis. The Varmas are a matriarchal caste following the ''marumakkathayam'' law and for this reason, at the death of the king, he is succeeded by his sister's son and not his Nair son who is bestowed with the title of Thampi.

Varma (surname)

In modern times, Varma is used as a surname by many Indians, without any political meaning. Notable people with surname "Varma" include:

★ Indira Varma, Indian actress

★ Bharat Dev Varma, from the Tripura royal family; father of Riya Sen and Raima Sen (actresses)

★ Raja Ravi Varma, Indian painter

★ Ram Gopal Varma, Indian film director

★ Samyuktha Varma, Indian actress

★ Shreekumar Varma, Indian writer

References

1. Platts dictionary of Urdu and Classical Hindi