Silambam

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"Silambattam" redirects here. For the 2008 Indian film, see Silambattam (film).
Silambam
Silambam vector.svg
Also known as Silambattam, Chilambam, Chilambattam
Focus Weapons
Hardness Semi-contact
Country of origin India
Creator Traditionally Agastya
Olympic sport No
Official website silambam.world
Tamil A.svg Tamil is written in a non-Latin script. Tamil text used in this article
is transliterated into the Latin script according to the ISO 15919 standard.
Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art originating in South India in the
Indian subcontinent. This style is mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature circa 400
BCE.[1] The World Silambam Association is the official international body of
Silambam.

Contents
1 Origin
2 Training
2.1 Weapons
2.2 Kuttu Varisai
3 World initiatives
4 In popular culture
5 See also
6 References
Origin
References in the Silappadikkaram and other works of the Sangam literature show
that Silambam has been practiced since at least the 4th century BC.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] Bamboo staffs – as well as
swords, pearls and armor – were in great demand from foreign traders.[5][6]

The ancient city of Madurai formed as the point of focus of Silambam's spreading.
The Silambam staff was acquired by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and was spread
back to the Middle East, Europe and North Africa. The Tamil Kingdom which
encompassed Southern India and Sri Lanka spread it throughout the Southeast Asia.
[7]

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
Army.[5] Indian martial arts and other related martial arts practices suffered a
decline after the British colonists banned Silambam and promoted modern military
training, which favored firearms over traditional weaponry.

Training
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.[8][9]
Weapons

Weapons used in Silambam

Maru, Weapon used in Silambam

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