Martial Arts has an age long tradition of its own .Even though
it evolved from the primitive man with the simple desire
to defend himself from wild animals using a simple weapon-
in fact man's oldest weapon,the strict-it developed as a complex
art with the progress of civilisation.
South India had a rich tradition of martial arts which
had developed its distinctive characteristic qualities even
before the arrival of the Indo-Aryans.Silambam in Tamilnadu
the Kol Varasay of Karnataka,Kolu Attaa or Karadi Atta in
Andrapradesh,The Kalari in Kerala have all common or gin.
Silambam
Silambam is a martial art popular in Tamilnadu(ancient
art of staff fencing).Silambam was patronised by the Cholas,
Cheras,Pandyas and was popular even in north- east
Srilanka and Malayan Archipelago.It's birth place is believed
to be in Kurinji Hills in Kerala, much before the coming
of the Indo-Aryans in North India.The natives
of Kurinji malai, used bamboo stave's to
defend themselves against wild animals .Kurinji was a part
of Tamilakam during the Sangam Age and slowly it
was adopted as a warfare technique and received royal patronage
during the Sangam age.Shilapadikaram(Tamil Sangam
Literary work) of the second century AD, refers to the sale
of Silambam stave's,swords,armours etc,. to the Romans
Egyptians and the Greeks during the Sangam age.
of the Indo-Aryans in North India.The natives
of Kurinji malai, used bamboo stave's to
defend themselves against wild animals .Kurinji was a part
of Tamilakam during the Sangam Age and slowly it
was adopted as a warfare technique and received royal patronage
during the Sangam age.Shilapadikaram(Tamil Sangam
Literary work) of the second century AD, refers to the sale
of Silambam stave's,swords,armours etc,. to the Romans
Egyptians and the Greeks during the Sangam age.
The ancient trading center of Madurai had prosperous sea trade and
Silambam staffs were of great demand in foreign countries.
Silambam was extensively used by the Maravar pada,(a particular
caste in Tamilnadu who were employed by the king of Travancore)
a contingent of the Travancore army.Silambam and Kalaripayyattu
of Kerala enjoyed certain similar characteristics as both worshipped Sage
Agasthya, as the creator of their respective art forms.Silambam
has more resemblance with northern Kalari .The Southern or the Thekkan
Kalari ,gives more emphasis to fight with empty hands and simple strikes.
But Tekkan kalari gives importance to 'Marma' or vital striking
points which is similar to Silambam.Folk dance of Silambattam
(worship dance in front of Goddess Shakti)resembles Silambam
in its foot and hand movements.
Silambam staffs were of great demand in foreign countries.
Silambam was extensively used by the Maravar pada,(a particular
caste in Tamilnadu who were employed by the king of Travancore)
a contingent of the Travancore army.Silambam and Kalaripayyattu
of Kerala enjoyed certain similar characteristics as both worshipped Sage
Agasthya, as the creator of their respective art forms.Silambam
has more resemblance with northern Kalari .The Southern or the Thekkan
Kalari ,gives more emphasis to fight with empty hands and simple strikes.
But Tekkan kalari gives importance to 'Marma' or vital striking
points which is similar to Silambam.Folk dance of Silambattam
(worship dance in front of Goddess Shakti)resembles Silambam
in its foot and hand movements.
Silambam lost prominence during the British times as they
banned the practise of warfare and martial art forms of any kind.
Many local chieftains had used this against the British,
like Veerapandai Kattabomman(1760-1799)of Panchalankurichi.
He opposed the East India Company's tyranny openly and
waged a lone war against the British and was finally captured
and hanged to death(one of the first martyrs to be hanged
by the British)
He opposed the East India Company's tyranny openly and
waged a lone war against the British and was finally captured
and hanged to death(one of the first martyrs to be hanged
by the British)
Silambam is also believed to have travelled from the Tamil
country to Malaysia.It became part of the Malayan
Archipelago and evolved as a distinctive martial art form
called 'Silat'.Tradition says that the Kingdom of Srivajaya
(7 Th -14 Th C) in Sumatra and kingdom of Majapahit in
Java(13-16 Th C) made use of this fighting skill.The Indian influence
can be markedly seen in the use of weapons like Trisula(forked
truncheon) and the famous grappling styles.Later during the
period of the Dutch rule, Silat was practised underground
until the country gained independence in 1949.
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