Thursday 21 July 2016

Silambam

Silambam is the art, which was created by Siddhars for the common people to protect them salves when there is a life-threatening situation. It is the art, which was developed very systematically and scientifically.

They say a Bullet cant penetrate the Shield made by an Expert of this Martial Art


Mystery: Silambam is said to be first martial art in Asia

The Origin of Silambam

Lord Shiva who is the supreme God of Hinduism, taught the rare forms of arts in Hinduism. Parashuram was the first god to obtain the knowledge of warfare to fight the demons, his style of art was known as Veera Badhra (Veera Badhra is another name for Lord Shiva), later the art was also passed on to Lord Murugan (son of Lord Shiva) and Siddha Agasthiyar.

Lord Murugan and Siddha Agasthiyar were the most important God's to pass the art to the People of South India especially today’s Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Siddha Agasthiyar got the knowledge of Silambam accidentally when he was searching for Velvi Mallai and mat an old man who spoke to him about Indian religious philosophies, he then thought him how Prana flows in human body and the channels of Kundalini yoga. Siddha Agasthiyar was shown way to make valuable texts by the old man. 


The old man has known to be lord Shiva himself. Later Siddha Agasthiyar moved to Podhigai Mallai where he started to practice and experience the Kundalini through meditation, he than made three types of text in which human life can be with Good health. The Kampu Soothram most Ancient text of Siddha Agasthiyar tells his learning experience of Kampu (Staff or Silambam). Later Siddha Agasthiyar composed art of using Kampu (Staff or Silambam) for self-defense in poetic form. Today the original texts directly written on Palm leaf by Siddha Agasthiyar are not available. Saints who lived with him have grasped the meaning of the Siddha Agasthiyar poetry and passed it to their students and to the next generation till today.

Siddha Agasthiyar composed many Poems on Kundalini, Varma, Kutthu Varasai, Siddha Vidhyam, Kampu Soothram and many other spiritual scripts.


We are looking in for the origination of the modern martial art; a scientific martial art that can protect human lives at dangerous situation. According to me Siddha Agasthiyar is the father of modern Martial Art’s, which is practiced all over the world today. The styles can be changed and given new names, but the credit goes to Siddha Agasthiyar for his achievements.

Meaning of Silambam

Ancient South India was ruled by Several Kings, if we go back in time, we might get the exact meaning for the word Silambam. The hardest time Silambam went through, was during the colonialist rule of British over India. British government had banned the practice of warfare and martial art in any form in india and they knew the dangers of Indian Martial Art. British troops were wel trained to use with explosive and guns, but they were lacking the physical combact skills. This fear lead them to impose restrictions on Indian Martial Arts.


There is a high level of confusion over the word silambam

What is the exact meaning of Silambam ?

Who gave the name to Silambam from Veera Vilayat or Pour Pairchy ?

This is my recent findings on the word "Silambam", its up to the readers to decide on it, either its correct or wrong.

The world "Silambam" must have come from the exact word of "Kaal silambam". (A ornament which was used for wearing in legs for women in ancient days),

Its common now that you might think how is it possible.


The Silambam has its own history in Tamil Nadu, there is a Epic called 'Silapadhigaram' in which a country was cursed by Kannagi and the kingdom was Destroyed by her curse through Fire, Earth Quake, and Flood, this is history. Today we dont see women wearing the same type of ornament, it has changed in to "Goolasu" Chains and Rings.

The other ancient use of this Silambam is through Folk Dance called Silambattam, the "Kai Silambam". The Silambam which has the exact resemblance of "Kaal Silambam"

A person holds a pair of 'Kai Silambam' in his hand and dance to the Music of Pambai, Udakai and Urami Melam. This dance is usualy performed in front of god Shakthi. If we start observing the Silambattam we can find the unique foot and hand movements which differ from other form of dance. This foot and hand movement is the exact foot and hand movements in Silambam Martial Art. It is very difficult to the readers to understand in words as I mention, since its more in technical. This can happen only when you start observing the dance and compare it to the Silambam Martial Art movements.

I will try my level best to provid a Vedio of Silambattam Dance. In a short time.


The other meaning on Silambam

The word "Silambam" was immerged in the time of British rule in India. The word Silam that is commonly known as Hill in Tamil and the word Bam denote Bamboo in English. It is highly possible that the word Silambam could have come from British ruler. When the ancient warfare practice was banned in the British rule, people who loved the art started practicing in the hills and farms in a remote area. It is possible that the word could have come from an English man to find the people who are practicing martial art using bamboo sticks on the hills.


The King Veerapandia Kattabomman (1760-1799) relied mainly on their prowess in Silambam in their warfare with the British Army. The Thandu Padai who were the soldiers of foot regiments armed themselves with Silambam

The history of Silambam in South India is above 5,000 years or above according to ancient texts. The research says that it was originated before the Aryans race migrated to India.

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