Silambam is a weapon-based Indian traditional martial art originated from Tamil Nadu in south India but also practiced by the traditional community of Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The word silambam refers to the bamboo staff which is the main weapon used in this style. Other weapons are also used such as the Maduvu (Deer horn), Kathi (Knife) and Vaal (Sword). Unarmed Silambam called Kuttu Varisai, utilizes stances and routines based on animal movements such as the Snake, Tiger and Eagle forms.The length of the staff depends on the height of the practitioner. It should just touch the forehead about three fingers from the head, although different lengths are used in different situations. It usually measures roughly 1.68 meters (five and a half feet). The 3 feet stick called sedikutchi can be easily concealed. Separate practice is needed for staves of different lengths. The usual stance includes holding the staff at one end, right hand close to the back, left hand about 40 centimeters (16 inches) away. This position allows a wide array of stick and body movements, including complex attacks and blocks. There are numerous sub sects in silambam like nagam-16 (cobra-16), Kallapathu (Thieves ten), Kidamuttu (goat head butting), Kuravanchi, kalyanavarisai (similar to quarterstaff), Thulukkanam, and so on. Each is unique and may differ from one another in grip, posture, foot work, method of attack, length of the stick, movement of the stick etc. The bamboo staff, one of the first weapons used in Indian martial arts, was in great demand with the visitors.
Silambam Style
Guru Vanakam
There are various ways of Silambam Guru Vanakkam which are practiced by the participants to honor their gurus and at the same time respecting the audience.
Long Stick:
The exponents are using eyebrow level in length and one inch width bamboo sticks. They swing the stick in various methods to defend and to counter attack the opponent. Even a man with knife may easily be managed with this long stick. This is the main instrument in the silambam competition.
Double Short Stick:
Two short sticks, each about 3 feet in length may be used. A skilled exponent can guard himself against several hits, where he uses one hand to block and the other to counter- strike or thrust. Usually two short sticks are better than one. The exponents with high skills can attack or strike and at the same time giving no time for the opponent to defend. Please note that swaying the stick and turning the body left and right will make the opponent sometimes defenseless.
Chopper Knife:
A highly skilled person in martial art only can defend himself from various weapons ike a chopper, sword, knife or an axe. He should move or dodge immediately when the exponent attacks. He can either give blows, kicks, thrusts, or apply locks. When applying ocks like in wrestling, one can make the attacker with weapon motionless. A higher form of echniques should be learnt before using it because it needs quick and decisive movement to apply locks against the opponent.
Sword & Shield:
With a sword and shield one can give strike, hits, thrusts, swings to the various parts of the body of the opponent. The defender must be skillful in order to defend from various strikes. This is usually a fight against warriors; where they attack with a long sword and defend with a shield. In ancient war, the sword and shield are commonly used by most of the countries like Rome, India, China, etc.
Spear fighting / Spear Swing:
Spear fighting techniques is rather similar to long pole fighting but the techniques used here are mostly thrusts.
Maduvu (Deer Horns):
It is a short defending weapon usually made of deer horns. Since the horns are very rare to get, the players usually use the weapon made of hard wood or soft iron bar. The exponents with a single maduvu or double can defend him against all chops, strikes and hits. A very skilled person will be able to defend and counter. Usually in India, maduvu will be played with long stick called "PuliAttam" where a man wears a costume like a tiger and defends against a single or double attacker.
Short and long stick:
There are more than 100 types of techniques in short/long stick sparring. Mostly the techniques are of strikes, thrusts and locks.
The steel-whip:
The steel-whip is a weapon consisting of two to five stainless -steel blades riveted to a handle grip. The width of each blade is 1. 1\4 inches and each blade are 4 to 5 feet in length. This weapon is used to combat against a mob or to disburse an unruly crowd. Usually the steel-whip displays are shown during festival season and celebration nights.
Saber Sword Blade:
The saber sword is a weapon consisting of single steel blade riveted with handle grip. The length of the weapon is 3 feet. This event is used for group event.
