Indian martial art
Silambam
|
Also known as
| Silambattam, Chilambam, Chilambattam
|
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Focus
| Weapons
|
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Hardness
| Semi-contact
|
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Country of origin
| India
|
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Creator
| Traditionally
Agastya
|
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Olympic sport
| No
|
---|
Silambam
is an
Indian martial art
originating in
Tamil Nadu
,
South India
in the
Indian subcontinent
.
[1]
This style is mentioned in Tamil
Sangam literature
.
[2]
The
World Silambam Association
is the official international body of Silambam.
Origin
[
edit
]
References in the
Silappadikaram
and other works of the
Sangam literature
show that Silambam has been practiced since at least the 4th century BC.
[3]
It derives from the Tamil word silam, meaning hill. The term silambambu referred to a particular type of bamboo from the
Kurinjimala
(kurinji hills) in present-day
Kerala
. Thus silambam was named after its primary weapon, the bamboo staff.
[4]
It may have earlier used for self-defense and to ward off animals in the Kurinji hills and later evolved into the present-day martial art.
[5]
Bamboo staffs ? as well as swords, pearls and armor ? were in great demand from foreign traders.
[6]
[7]
The ancient city of
Madurai
formed as the point of focus of Silambam spreading. The Silambam staff was acquired by the
Egyptians
,
Greeks
and
Romans
and was spread back to the
Middle East
,
Europe
and
North Africa
.
[
citation needed
]
The Tamil Kingdom which encompassed Southern India and Sri Lanka spread it throughout the
Southeast Asia
.
[8]
The Kings
Puli Thevar
and
Dheeran Chinnamalai
had armies of Silambam soldiers named "Thadii Pattalam."
Veerapandiya Kattabomman
,
Chinna Maruthu and Periya Maruthu
(1760?1799) relied mainly on their Silambam prowess in warfare against the
British East India Company
.
[6]
Indian martial arts
and other related martial arts practices suffered a decline after the British banned Silambam and promoted modern military training, which favored firearms over traditional weaponry.
Training
[
edit
]
The first stages of Silambam practice are meant to provide a foundation for fighting, and also preparatory body conditioning. This includes improving flexibility, agility, and hand-eye coordination, kinesthetic awareness, balance, strength, speed, muscular and cardiovascular stamina.
[9]
[10]
Weapons
[
edit
]
Silambam's main focus is on the bamboo staff. The length of the staff depends on the height of the practitioner. Ideally, it should just touch the forehead about three fingers from the head, typically measuring around 1.68 meters (five and a half feet). Different lengths may be used depending on the situation. For instance, the
sedikuchi
or 3-foot stick can be easily concealed. Separate practice is needed for staffs of different lengths. Listed below are some of the weapons used in Silambam.
- Silambam: staff, preferably made from
bamboo
, but sometimes also from
teak
or Indian rose chestnut wood. The staff is immersed in water and strengthened by beating it on the surface of still or running water. It is often tipped with metal rings to prevent the ends from being damaged.
- Maru
: a thrusting weapon made from deer (more accurately,
Blackbuck
) horns.
- Aruval
: sickle, often paired.
- Panthukol: staff with balls of fire, or weighted chains on each end.
- Savuku
: whip.
- Vaal: sword, generally curved.
- Kuttu katai: spiked knuckleduster.
- Katti: knife.
- Kattari
: native push-dagger with a H-shaped handle. Some are capable of piercing armor. The blade may be straight or wavy.
- Surul kaththi
: flexible sword.
- Sedikuchi: cudgel or short stick, often wielded as a pair.
Kuttu Varisai
[
edit
]
Kuttu Varisai is the unarmed combat component of Silambam and also a stand-alone martial art. It contains animal forms.
[11]
World initiatives
[
edit
]
Silambam made its first historical appearance in the eyes of the world through the auspices of the committee of the United Nations Assembly, which recommended
Silambam Asia
for United Nations status. The inauguration was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States on 21 January 2019. However, the China-Taipei government representatives raised questions concerning border conflicts in ancient records pertaining to Silambam. A request was lodged for the organization of Silambam Asia to resolve with ratification of the raised problems by member states. On 30 January 2019, substantive work was completed and concluded for Silambam Asia with Special Status in the United Nations.
[12]
In popular culture
[
edit
]
In many
M.G.Ramachandran
(MGR) films from the 1950s and 1960s, MGR had incorporated silambam fighting scenes to popularize these ancient martial arts in the 20th century. MGR himself was a practitioner of silambam fighting, learning this martial art from Master Madurai Maadakulam Ravi. Some of these movies include
Thaikkupin Tharam
,
Periya Idathu Penn
,
Mugaraasi
and
Thanipiravi
.
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Nainar, Nahla (20 January 2017).
"A stick in time …"
.
The Hindu
.
ISSN
0971-751X
. Retrieved
11 February
2023
.
- ^
Raj, J. David Manuel (1977).
The Origin and the Historical Development of Silambam Fencing: An Ancient Self-Defence Sport of India
. Oregon: College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Univ. of Oregon. pp. 44, 50, 83.
- ^
Balambal, V. (1998).
Studies in the History of the Sangam Age
. New Delhi: Kalinga Publications. p. 6.
ISBN
978-8185163871
.
- ^
"Martial Arts (Silambam & Kalaripayattu)"
. fitindia.gov.in
. Retrieved
27 November
2020
.
- ^
Sarkar, John (17 February 2008).
"Dravidian martial art on a comeback mode"
.
The Economic Times
. Retrieved
5 December
2020
.
- ^
a
b
Raj, J. David Manuel (1977).
The Origin and the Historical Development of Silambam Fencing: An Ancient Self-Defence Sport of India
. Oregon: College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Univ. of Oregon. pp. 44, 50, & 83.
- ^
Sports Authority of India (1987).
Indigenous Games and Martial Arts of India
. New Delhi: Sports Authority of India. pp. 91 & 94.
- ^
Crego, Robert (2003).
Sports and Games of the 18th and 19th Centuries
. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 32.
ISBN
978-0-313-31610-4
.
- ^
Guruji Murugan, Chillayah (20 October 2012).
"Silambam health and physical benefits"
. Silambam
. Retrieved
31 May
2013
.
- ^
Ministry of Education (1956).
National Plan of Physical Education and Recreation Publication No.237
. New Delhi: Government of India, Ministry of Education.
- ^
Crudelli, Chris (October 2008).
The Way of the Warrior
. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 23, 36.
ISBN
978-1-4053-3750-2
. Retrieved
5 December
2020
.
- ^
"United Nations grant Special Status for Silambam Asia"
.
un.org
. United Nations Meetings Coverage & Press Releases
. Retrieved
30 January
2019
.
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