View source for Silambam

{{Short description|Indian martial art}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{redirect|Silambattam|the 2008 Indian film|Silambattam (film)}}
{{Infobox martial art
| image = Silambam vector.svg
| imagecaption = 
| name = Silambam
| aka = Silambattam, Chilambam, Chilambattam
| focus = Weapons
| hardness = [[Semi-contact]]
| country = [[India]]
| olympic = No 
| creator = 
| parenthood = 
| famous_pract = 
|origin=[[Tamilakam]]}}
{{Tamil transliteration}}

'''Silambam''' is an old [[Indian martial arts|Indian martial art]] originating in the southern Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nainar |first=Nahla |date=2017-01-20 |title=A stick in time … |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/A-stick-in-time-%E2%80%A6/article17067195.ece |access-date=2023-02-11 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This style is mentioned in Tamil [[Sangam literature]].<ref name="Raj2">{{cite book|title=The Origin and the Historical Development of Silambam Fencing: An Ancient Self-Defence Sport of India|last=Raj|first=J. David Manuel|publisher=College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Univ. of Oregon|year=1977|location=Oregon|pages=44, 50, 83}}</ref> The [[World Silambam Association]] is the official international body of Silambam.

==Origin==
References in the ''Silappadikaram'' and other works of the [[Sangam literature]] show that Silambam has been practiced since at least the 4th century BC.<ref name="Balambal">{{cite book|title=Studies in the History of the Sangam Age|page=6|isbn=978-8185163871|year=1998|first=V. |last=Balambal|publisher=Kalinga Publications|location=New Delhi}}</ref> It derives from the Tamil word silam, meaning hill. The term silambambu referred to a particular type of bamboo from the [[Kurinjimala Sanctuary|Kurinjimala]] (kurinji hills) in present-day [[Kerala]]. Thus silambam was named after its primary weapon, the bamboo staff.<ref name="fitindia">{{cite web|title=Martial Arts (Silambam & Kalaripayattu)|url=https://fitindia.gov.in/events/martial-arts-sillambam-kalaripayattu/|publisher=fitindia.gov.in|access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sarkar|first=John|title=Dravidian martial art on a comeback mode|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/dravidian-martial-art-on-a-comeback-mode/articleshow/2788821.cms|access-date=5 December 2020|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=17 February 2008}}</ref> Bamboo staffs – as well as swords, pearls and armor – were in great demand from foreign traders.<ref name="Raj">{{cite book |last=Raj|first=J. David Manuel |title=The Origin and the Historical Development of Silambam Fencing: An Ancient Self-Defence Sport of India |year=1977 |publisher=College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Univ. of Oregon |location=Oregon |pages=44, 50, & 83}}</ref><ref name="Sports">{{cite book |last=Sports Authority of India|title=Indigenous Games and Martial Arts of India |year=1987 |publisher=Sports Authority of India |location=New Delhi|pages=91 & 94}}</ref> 

The ancient city of [[Madurai]] formed as the point of focus of Silambam spreading. The Silambam staff was acquired by the [[Egyptians]], [[Greeks]] and [[Roman people|Romans]] and was spread back to the [[Middle East]], [[Europe]] and [[North Africa]].{{cn|date=September 2021}} The Tamil Kingdom which encompassed Southern India and Sri Lanka spread it throughout the [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Crego|first=Robert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XCl1c2yy5ooC|title=Sports and Games of the 18th and 19th Centuries|date=2003|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-31610-4|language=en|pages=32}}</ref>

The Kings [[Puli Thevar]] and [[Dheeran Chinnamalai]] had armies of Silambam soldiers named "Thadii Pattalam." [[Kattabomman|Veerapandiya Kattabomman]], [[Maruthu Pandiyar|Chinna Maruthu and Periya Maruthu]] (1760–1799) relied mainly on their Silambam prowess in warfare against the [[British East India Company]].<ref name="Raj" /> [[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==
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.<ref name="health-education">{{cite web|author=Guruji Murugan, Chillayah|publisher=Silambam|title=Silambam health and physical benefits |date=20 October 2012|url=https://silambam.co.in|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="physical-education">{{cite book |last=Ministry of Education|title=National Plan of Physical Education and Recreation Publication No.237 |year=1956 |publisher=Government of India, Ministry of Education |location=New Delhi}}</ref>

===Weapons===
[[File:Weapons images of Silambam.jpg|thumb|Weapons 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. Silambam encompasses the use of a wide range of traditional weapons, including:

*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.
*[[Maduvu|Maru]]: a thrusting weapon made from deer (more accurately, [[Blackbuck]]) horns.
*[[Aruval]]: machete, 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.
*[[katara (dagger)|Kattari]]: native push-dagger with a H-shaped handle. Some are capable of piercing armor. The blade may be straight or wavy.
*[[Urumi]]: flexible sword.
*Sedikuchi: cudgel or short stick, often wielded as a pair.

===Kuttu Varisai===
Kuttu Varisai is the unarmed combat component of Silambam and also a stand-alone martial art. It contains animal forms.<ref name="ChrisCrudelli">{{cite book |last=Crudelli |first=Chris|title=The Way of the Warrior |date=October 2008 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited |isbn=978-1-4053-3750-2 |page=23, 36 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QlI0fxSm1vgC |access-date=5 December 2020}}</ref>

==World initiatives==
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/ecosoc6961.doc.htm |title=United Nations grant Special Status for Silambam Asia |work=un.org |publisher=United Nations Meetings Coverage & Press Releases |access-date=30 January 2019}}</ref>

On 29 August 2022, the [[World Silambam Association]] was subsequently granted Special Status and functions as an international governing body for Silambam, engaged in development activities aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), notably in the fields of health, arts, sports, education, culture, gender equality, climate action, and partnerships.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mohammed, A. J. |date=30 August 2018 |title=Indian Traditional Arts - 5R (Research, Revive, Rejuvenate, Restore and Retention) |work=un.org |publisher=United Nations Partnership for Goals |accessdate=7 October 2018 |url=https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/indian-traditional-arts-5r-research-revive-rejuvenate-restore-and-retention}}</ref>

==In popular culture==

In many [[M. G. Ramachandran|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''.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+List of films featuring Silambam
!Year
!Film
!Language(s)
!Lead actor(s) / Performer(s)
|-
|1956
|''[[Thaikkupin Tharam]]''
|Tamil
|[[M. G. Ramachandran]]
|-
|1962
|''[[Thayai Katha Thanayan]]''
|Tamil
|M. G. Ramachandran
|-
|1963
|''[[Periya Idathu Penn]]''
|Tamil
|M. G. Ramachandran
|-
|1964
|''[[Padagotti]]''
|Tamil
|M. G. Ramachandran
|-
|1966
|''[[Mugaraasi]]''
|Tamil
|M. G. Ramachandran
|-
|1966
|''[[Thanipiravi]]''
|Tamil
|M. G. Ramachandran
|-
|1970
|''[[Maattukara Velan]]''
|Tamil
|M. G. Ramachandran
|-
|1971
|''[[Rickshawkaran]]''
|Tamil
|M. G. Ramachandran
|-
|1976
|''[[Uzhaikkum Karangal]]''
|Tamil
|M. G. Ramachandran
|-
|1978
|''[[Thai Meethu Sathiyam]]''
|Tamil
|[[Rajinikanth]]
|-
|1980
|''[[Murattu Kaalai (1980 film)|Murattu Kaalai]]''
|Tamil
|Rajinikanth
|-
|1982
|''[[Thooral Ninnu Pochchu]]''
|Tamil
|[[K. Bhagyaraj]]
|-
|1983
|''[[Mundhanai Mudichu]]''
|Tamil
|K. Bhagyaraj
|-
|1989
|''[[Karagattakaran]]''
|Tamil
|[[Ramarajan]]
|-
|1992
|''[[Thevar Magan]]''
|Tamil
|[[Kamal Haasan]]
|-
|1994
|''[[Periya Marudhu (film)|Periya Marudhu]]''
|Tamil
|[[Vijayakanth]]
|-
|1995
|''[[Villadhi Villain]]''
|Tamil
|[[Sathyaraj]]
|-
|1996
|''[[Amman Kovil Vaasalile]]''
|Tamil
|Ramarajan
|-
|2008
|''[[Silambattam (film)|Silambattam]]''
|Tamil
|[[Silambarasan]]
|-
|2010
|''[[Vamsam]]''
|Tamil
|[[Kishore (actor, born 1974)|Kishore]]
|-
|2011
|''[[7 Aum Arivu]]''
|Tamil
|[[Suriya (actor)|Suriya]]
|-
|2015
|''[[Baahubali: The Beginning]]''
|Telugu
|[[Prabhas]]
|-
|2018
|''[[Seemaraja]]''
|Tamil
|[[Samantha Akkineni]]
|-
|2022
|''[[Ponniyin Selvan: I]]''
|Tamil
|[[Karthi]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Sri Lanka|Martial arts}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Adimurai]]
*[[Angampora]]
*[[Banshay]]
*[[Bataireacht]]
*[[Bōjutsu]]
*[[Gatka]]
*[[Jūkendō]]
*[[Kalaripayattu]]
*[[Kbachkun boraan]]
*[[Kendo]]
*[[Kenjutsu]]
*[[Krabi–krabong]]
*[[Kuttu Varisai]]
*[[Mardani khel]]
*[[Silambam Asia]]
*[[Silat]]
** [[Pencak Silat]]
** [[Silat Melayu]]
*[[Tahtib]]
*[[Thang-ta]]
*[[Varma kalai]]
*[[World Silambam Association]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indian martial arts}}
{{stick fighting}}

[[Category:Dravidian martial arts]]
[[Category:Tamil martial arts]]
[[Category:Stick-fighting]]