This part of the year is always special to me. While time is relative, end of a perceived timebox – 'an year end' gives us space to retrospect, to relish special moments and to resolve a better future.
I intend to exchange the practices of Silambam – a renowned martial art form. Not just the theory, we can exchange the views on its origin, culture, the physiological and psychological aspects yielded by the art form on a larger community. We will also talk about various weapons, styles, derived variations all across the world for this art-form. Lets us deep dive into the world of Silambam – A cultural Treasure.
Scientific evidences confirmed that the continental tectonic plates were all once held together; We are all part of that one proud family. We are still awing the magnificent temples and palaces built over 2000 years ago. We are still amused at the wealth of literature, a tiny glimpse which were carbon dated back to 2000-5000 years old.
Even though humankind lost many arts and artefacts in the last 200-400 years to fulfill their materialistic needs and greed, we could see the interest from all over the world to look back to our roots to understand the culture, to find the purpose towards a peaceful and balanced life.
We all should be proud of our lineage from a significant intellectual society who had proficiency on the language and art forms. Our ancestors also had extraordinary sense of detailing, formulating and improving each of the art forms. They had defined 64 categories of art forms of which warfare and bare-hand fights standout. These two art forms highlight the relevance and need of warrior spirit even in a peaceful society where people had dance, music and fine art forms to cherish. These art forms also had multitude of effect on physical strength, which gives courage, peace and paves way for a balanced mind.
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Part 1
Silambam - an introduction.
Silambam is one of the ancient and best self defense martial art forms. This art form is played all across the world by various names. In ancient civilization, humans used a stick to defend themselves in the forests or on high hills against predators and to manage their live-stocks. As communities, they improved their knowledge, created weapons, practiced and perfected this art form.
This art form is detailed, documented and given a holistic view by High Highness Agasthiyar. The art form got specific leg movements, hand movements and then stick movements. Only a person who practices leg movements and hand movements can manage the stick movements. Traditionally Silambam is used as a warfare art form. With colonial leadership, the warfare practices were banned but it gave a variation to Silambam as an entertainment sport.
Agathiya Kambu Soothiram (Agasthiyar’s book on rules of stick fight) was documented through palmscripts. Silambam was patronized predominantly by Kings and rulers through gurukul ways of learning. In south India, the major Kingdoms of Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava Dynasties had this art form for their military personnel.
Foundation – Salute
Traditionally, if anyone wants to learn silambam, a person has to offer prayers to the God and nature. Fruits, coconut, betel leaves, areca nuts, camphor, incense sticks, lemon, puffed rice, traditional brown sugar, etc., will be offered before the sticks.
Students also offer Guru Dakshana to the Teacher and get his blessings. A student -Teacher relationship is significant. Irrespective of the status, a teacher provides and students receive without doubting it. The traditional silambam system got various checks and balances to grade and identify the best of teachers.
The first lesson is to Salute. We have specific postures and leg movement. A student will demonstrate the strength, skill, power, attitude, but after the demonstration, he submits himself with all humility before the God, nature and the teacher.
<embed Picture: thodai saadi, Vanakkam >
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In the upcoming series, we will discuss broad classifications on leg movements, arm movements, stick types, weapon types, food habits and the significance of Silambam on body and mind.
Hope you had a good read… Please share your comments and feedback.
