Second National Silambam Tournament

Indore, Jan 5 (UNI) The Second National Silambam Tournament, a three-day event being organised by the Tamil Nadu Silambam Association, will get underway at Kanyakumari on February 16.

''Individual and team events, involving both men and women, will take place in the Sub-junior, Junior and Senior categories,'' said Madhya Pradesh Silambam Association General Secretary Saeed Alam.

About 300 sportspersons from various states are expected to take part. The event's Organising Secretary is Kalari P Selvaraj.

Silambam is the Tamil word for both a staff as well as a martial art that features its use.

It is a form of stick or walking staff fighting. The length of the staff is roughly 1.68 m. The usual stance includes holding the staff at one end, right hand close to the back, left hand about 40 cm away. This position allows a wide array of stick-and-body movements, including complex attacks and blocks.

Stick and body movement is critical in Silambam, and beginners are taught spinning techniques and patterns, and methods to change the spins without stopping the motion of the stick.

Gradually, fighters study footwork to move precisely in conjunction with the stick movements. The ultimate goal of the training is to defend multiple armed opponents.

Its emphasis on the staff distinguishes Silambam from Kalarippayattu, another southern Indian martial art.

Silambam was patronised by the ancient Tamil Chola, Chera and Pandya kings of southern India during the Sangam period.

'Silappadikaram', an epic in Tamil Sangam literature dating back to the second century, refers to the sale of Silambam staves, swords, pearls and armour to foreign traders.

The ancient trading centre at the city of Madurai was renowned globally and said to be thronged by Romans, Greeks and Egyptians among others who had regular sea trade with the ancient Tamil kings.

The silambam staff was one of the martial art weapons that was in great demand with the visitors.

After the art spread to the Malay world, 'Silambam' came to refer to the art as well as the weapon. Several Malay martial arts such as Silat also incorporated the silambam.

The soldiers of King Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1760-1799) relied mainly on their prowess in Silambam in their warfare against the British Army.

UNI