The history of Silambam
The history of Silambam
The name Silambam is derived from the word Silambu. Silambu means sounding. It is said that the name Silambam was coined to refer to the general sounds made by the Silambam.
The word “silambam” is derived from the verb “silambal”. Themountains is also known as “Silambam” because of the sound of waterfalls in the mountains, the chirping of birds, the sound of the leaves of the trees moving in the wind,the noise made by all sorts of animals. Hence, the mountain (Kurinji) god Murugan is also known as “Silamban”.
The Tamal Martial art is named as “Silambam” as the sound of the Wooden pole spinning and the sound of the weapons colliding with each other resembles the Kurinji nature.
The mountaineers living in the region near Kadaiyanallur in the Nellai District are also known as “Silambarar”.
Silambam is thought to be about 5000 years old. Agathiya Munivar, who lived 2500 years ago, mentions Silambam as one of the 64 arts.Silambam is mentioned in the Tamil literature “silappathikaaram” that the equipments needed to train for Silambam is sold in a shop and foreigners come buy these with interest.
In thirukkural, the work “Koal”, and in the line from Kalingathuppani “veesu thandidai Koormazhu okkumae” refers to silambam as ‘Koal’ and ‘thandu’. In the book “Badartha Guna Chintamani” written in the 15th century AD, it is said that playing silambam prevents rheumatism, bile and phlegm. Apart from these, there are also manuscripts such as Silambam formula, kurundadi silambam and natasari.
The songs in these inscriptions indicate that Agathiya Munivar studied the arts such as yoga and medicine after studying Silambam. Silambam has weapons such as Suvadu, Pirivuchuvadu, reddai Veechu, Poodupirivu (Lock section),Madu Siramam, ‘edutherithal’, Nedungagampadi’, copatta, sword range, beechua, Surul patta, Lesam, sendaayutham, valari, thunderbolt, dagger, ax, Machete and Vettaruvaal. Oomaithurai has mastered in Surul Patta; kattabomman in Nedungambu; and Sinnamaruthu in Valari.
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