Silambam – Indian Self Defence Art.
Silambam is an ancient South Indian martial arts originally used for military training.
The art is now taught as a sport in South India and countries with South Indian population like Malaysia.
Silambam is being kept alive and thriving in Malaysia by the efforts of the Malaysian Silambam Association. It is appropriate that Hindu temples provide the space for teaching this art said to be the mother of most of the world’s martial arts forms.
It was introduced to people of Indianised nations mostly in South East Asia and in other countries via traders and preachers from South India.
The artform comprises of fighting techniques with and without use of weapons.
Weapons used in Silambam are long staff (silambam), short sticks (sedikuchi), cudgel (muchan), deer horn (maan kombu), fireball staff (panthukol), knife (katti), sword (vaal), spear (vel kambu), machete (aruvaal), stick (kali), dagger (kuttuvaal), knuckle duster (kuttu kattai), native push-dagger (kattari), whips (savukku) and metallic blades (surul pattai).
The might of ancient Indian armies that conquered many regions and defended India from barbaric invaders could be attributed to the practice of such martial arts and military science taught by great sages like Agasthiar and Bodhidharma.
