About Silambam
The history of Silambam art is as old as the civilization of the humankind.
Origin and Development of Silamabam Art
Where it is originated?
The ancient men and women had adopted various technique to safeguard themselves from the attack of the wild animals.
The history of Silambam art is as old as the civilization of the humankind. The ancient men and women had adopted various technique to safeguard themselves from the attack of the wild animals. They had employed sharp objects such as stones and tree branches as tools.
As the time progressed, in due course of time, our ancestors designed and developed a martial art which was handed down to their descendants as the Silambam art, that is the great Rishi of Tamil language Agathiar has enumerated a list of benefit that we can get by practicing the art of Silambam kambu suthira. Agathiyar has detailed on how to decimate an energy, how to fight with wild animals when they try to harm us. All learners of Silambam should understand the kambu suthira of Agasthiya muris. He had scripted that he attained the highest level in yoga due to his complete disseverment in the martial art of SILAMBAM. If Agathiyar has considered that Silambam was worthless he would not have mastered and hugely benefited. Silambam can regulate the hormone in our body and mind. So let us heed to the noble words of the Siddhas and learn Silambam for overall well-being of our body, heart and soul.
History of Silambam
What is it's history?
As for the Tamils, Silambam is not only a weapon but also a traditional Martial art.
The Chera, Chozha and Pandiya kings introduced this art in their warfare and made it compulsory for all the soldiers in the five wings of their military.
In the recent past, at the time of Pulidevan and Veera Pandiya Kattabomman (1760– 1799) this art was resurrected and was used in the fights against the British. So, the British passed orders not to practice Silambam. As for the Tamils, Silambam is not only a weapon but also a traditional Martial art. So, they practiced it for the sake of physical fitness. From the South India, Silambam spread over the rest of India, and it has been called in different name in different part of the country. Silambam is called as Nedu Vadi in Kerala; Karra Saamu in Andhra Pradesh; Dhanta Varisai in Karnataka, Lathi in Uttar Pradesh; Marithani in Maharashtra; Dhal Lakadi in Gujarat; Patta Pachi in Punjab & Haryana; Kathga in Jharkhand and Bihar depending upon their language spoken in their area.
Techniques and Weapons
What we use in Silambam?
The word Silambam refers to the bamboo stick which is the main weapon used in this style.
Silambam is a weapon-based Indian traditional martial art originated from Tamil Nadu in South India but also practiced by the traditional community of Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The word Silambam refers to the bamboo stick which is the main weapon used in this style. Other weapons are also used such as the Maduvu (Deer horn), Kathi (Knife) and Vaal (Sword). Unarmed Silambam called Kuttu Varisai, utilizes stances and routines based on animal movements such as the Snake, Tiger and Eagle forms. The length of the stick depends on the height of the practitioner. It should just touch the forehead of about three fingers from the head, although different lengths are used in different situations. It usually measures roughly 1.68 meters (five and a half feet). The 3 feet stick called sedikutchi can be easily concealed. The usual stance includes holding the stick at one end, right hand close to the back, left hand about 40 centimetres (16 inches) away. This position allows a wide array of stick and body movements, including complex attacks and blocks. There are numerous sub sects in Silambam like Nagam-16 (cobra-16), Kallapathu (Thieves ten), Kidamuttu (goat head butting), Kuravanchi, Kalyanavarisai (like quarterstick), Thulukkanam, and so on. Each is unique and may differ from one another in grip, posture, foot work, method of attack, length of the stick, movement of the stick etc. The bamboo stick, one of the first weapons used in Indian martial arts, was good in durability and flexibility.