All
India Silambam Federation "..The
state of Tamil Nadu is considered to be the cradle of modern and
scientific staff fencing, popularly known in Tamil as Silambam.
The Pandya kings ruling in Tamil Nadu promoted Silambam fencing,
as did their Chola and Chera counterparts. Silapathiharam Tamil
literature, dating back to 2nd century A.D., refers to the sale
of silamabam staves, swords, pearls and armour to foreign
traders. The ancient trading centre at Madurai city, renowned
globally, was said to be thronged by Romans, Greeks, Egyptians
among others who had regular sea trade with the ancient
Dravidian kings. The silambam staff was one of the martial art
weapons, that was in great demand with the visitors.The use of
the long staff for self - defence or mock - fighting was a
highly organised game in the state as early as the 1st and 2nd
centuries A.D. In the Vedic age, young men were imparted
training to defend themselves with staves, both as a ritual and
an emergency. The staves wielded by ace fencers were given
distinctive names, and treated with reverence. Some records
trace the origin of this art to a divine source - Lord Muruga,
and within the Tamil mythological framework, sage Agasthya is
also credited with the genesis of Silambam. Silambam is believed
to have travelled from Tamil Nadu to Malaysia, where it is now a
popular recreational sport and also a mode of self - defence..."
Thamizhar Martial Arts
Alex Doss, 10 February 2006
Silambam - Jothi Senthil Kannan
Martial Arts Origins
Martial Arts Misconceptions
Daruma Bodhidarma
Varma Kalai and Kuttu Varisai
Silambattam (Silambam)
Malyutham (Grappling)
Adithada (Kick Boxing)
Tamil Martial Arts in Southeast Asia
When we think of martial arts, we usually think of China or Japan.
Only recently, people have discovered that martial arts had its
roots in India “somewhere”. The location of the part of India
martial arts came from still remains a mystery to many.
Let us take note that India is a sub-continent with roughly 18
languages and various dialects of certain languages. Each state has
its own language and writing script. Moreover, there are three major
ethnic groups which are the Indo-Aryans of the Northern part, the
Mon-Khmer of the Eastern part, and the Dravidians (Thamizhars) of
the Southern part. The Indian sub-continent is more comparable to
Europe geographically even though it is a country in itself created
by the colonial British for their own economical achievements.
Martial arts have been in existence on the Indian sub-continent for
thousands of years practiced by ancient Tamils of Tamil Nadu, Tamil
Eelam (Northeast Sri Lanka), Kerala, and the Southern portion of
present day Andhra Pradesh. The Malayalam language in Kerala only
separated from Tamil as its own language during the 8th century A.D.
In Andhra Pradesh, the southern half of that state spoke Tamil,
while the northern part spoke Prakrit , before the language of
Telungu had formed it’s own language in that state. In Sri Lanka,
the whole island was Tamil up to the 3rd century B.C. before the
arrival of a group of exiles from Bengal penetrated the island. They
settled in the Southern and Western and Southern parts of the
island. Their offspring later became the present day Sinhalese,
which their language is a mixture of Tamil, Pali (from Bengal area),
and Sanskrit.
The Indian sub-continent was once connected with Madagascar of East
Africa and Australia by the sunken Lemurian continent of the Indian
Ocean. On the African continent itself are numerous fighting styles
some also in forms of dances which resemble various Kung-Fu kicks,
leaps, and maneuvers. In Brazil, there is a martial art called
Capoeira. It is a fighting style in a form of a dance brought to
South America by slaves along with the Yaruba religion of West
Africa. These ideas of combat must have crossed from both Africa and
Australia through Lemuria to the Indian sub-continent which may have
had an influence on the scientific Tamil martial arts thousands of
years ago.
Long ago, animal fighting styles were imitated by pre-historic man
which was a system for survival. The first weapon used was the stick
which was an extension of the arm. Various weapons were later
invented during the Stone and Iron Ages. At the turn of the 6th
century A.D., martial arts spread from Southern India to China by a
Tamil prince turned monk named Daruma Bodhidarma. From China,
martial arts have spread to Korea & Japan. In South East Asia
martial arts was introduced during the naval expansion of the Chola
and Pallava Empires of the Tamil Country between the 2nd and 12th
centuries A.D.
In the Tamil country, the earliest martial arts known were Varma
Kalai (pressure point attacks – similar to Tai Chi or Dim Mak),
Kuttu Varisai (hand to hand combat – similar to Kung Fu and Karate),
Malyutham (wrestling), Silambam (staff and weapons fighting –
similar to the Filipino arts of Arnis, Kali, and Escrima), and
Adithada (kickboxing).
Martial arts can also be seen in the classical dance of Bharatha
Natayam. Through its rhythmic movements one can see a close
resemblance to the stances, blocks, and strikes in martial arts.
There is also a close affiliation to Yoga in the stretching and
meditating exercises of almost every fighting art.
During the mid-1990’s the martial art of Kerala called Kalaripayattu
began to gain popularity, especially in the tourist industry of
Kerala. It was widely believed that the only martial art in India
was Kalaripayattu, claiming to be the mother of all martial arts. In
an Indo-U.S. monthly magazine called “India Currents” dated back in
1996, there was an article on Kalripayattu. It talked about a battle
between the Cholas and Cheras where the Chera kingdom of Kerala were
victorious in defeating the Cholas because of their knowledge in
Kalaripayattu, thus “the they took to their heels and fled”.
The Cholas not having knowledge in the martial arts is absolutely
FALSE. It was the fighting prowess of the Cholas, and their
strategic military capabilities which allowed them to expand their
empire as far north to the Ganges, as far west to the Maldives, as
far south to the island of Sri Lanka, and as far east to Malaysia…
In India there tends to be a trend to sideline Tamil culture, even
in the martial arts. Kalaripayattu is not the only living martial
art on the sub-continent. It is one of many.
Kalaripayattu became an established martial art during the 13th
century AD as quoted in Frank Zarilli’s “When the Body Becomes All
Eyes”. The art of Kalarippayattu is a dynamic fighting system which
incorporates a combination of yoga and gymnastics. It trains in an
array of weaponry, empty hand combat, pressure point attacks (Marma
Adi), and the healing arts of Ayurveda. The Kerala dance of Katha
Kali is very close to the martial art of Kalarippayattu in its
posture, stances, and foot movements.
Another misconception is in which martial art the monk Daruma
Bodhidarma had introduced to China. In many articles and web sites,
it claims that Bodhidarma had studied and introduced Kalarippayattu
to China. If Kalarippayattu had not been established until the 13th
century A.D., then how would it have been possible for this art to
have been introduced to China during the 6th century A.D. (700 years
back)? Also, Bodhidarma was from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu where
several martial arts there were already in existence.
In Partap Sharma’s book called ‘Zen Katha: Inspired by the Life of
Bodhidarma, founder of Zen and Martial Arts’, it states that it was
the art of Vajramushti Bodhidarma had introduced to Shaolin.
Vajramushti is a fierce style of wrestling which has it’s origins in
the state of Gujarat situated in Northwestern India. The only
difference which sets it apart from modern day wrestling is that the
contestants wore knuckledusters on their right hands to add
devastating power to their one hit blows.
Vajramushti has its influences from Greek Prankrathon Wrestling
during the time of Alexander the Great’s conquest of the Indus
Valley and Northern India. This fighting style does not resemble
Kung-Fu or Karate, nor does it incorporate any other weapon other
than the knuckleduster.
Many people in the western world often relate martial arts with
Buddhism due to its stereo type in Hollywood films. Well, it was
Buddhism which was introduced from Northern India and martial arts
from Southern India. There was a very brief period when Buddhism was
practiced in the Tamil country of the Southern Indian peninsula.
So, what religion do martial arts belong to? Is it a Hindu art, a
Buddhist art, or of some other religion? It would be irrelevant to
say that martial arts came from any religion since martial arts was
originally a system of survival for early man. Religions have
incorporated martial arts into their realm. In the western part of
the African continent martial arts is part in the Yaruba religion.
The same can be said in Asia. However, if one were to say that Asian
martial arts philosophies had its roots from Buddhism, it would be
false. As far as the philosophical aspect of Asian martial arts, it
has its roots in Hinduism.
Take for example the famous ‘Yin and Yang’ symbol. It represents a
combination of opposites like hard and soft, light and dark, and
male and female. The origin of Ying and Yang came from the male and
female Hindu deities Siva and Shakti. In Bharatha Natayam, it is
said that Siva was the creator of the dance. He is known as the
Natarajah, or Lord of the Dance. Likewise, he was known for the
creation of scientific martial arts and the healing arts like Varma
Cuttiram. Other martial arts of the Tamil peninsula on the Indian
sub-continent like Silambam is said to have its roots from Siva’s
son, Murugan.
Even in the martial arts system of Kalarippayattu, its philosophies
state that this art was created out of the wrath and fury of Siva
when he destroyed the demon Dakshayaga. One of Siva’s disciples,
Parasurama, is supposed to have studied this art from him and passed
it on to his 21 disciples in Kerala.
Daruma Bodhidharma (Chinese: Ta Mo; Japanese: Daruma) was the third
child of the Pallava king Sugandan from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. At
birth he was born with a breathing disorder and was banished by his
family due to the evil practice of caste system introduced by the
Indo-Aryans who had migrated from Persia (present day Iran). He was
adopted and trained at birth in breathing exercises and combat,
namely in the arts of Varma Kalai and Kuttu Varisai. Bodhidarma also
studied Dhyana Buddhism and became the 28th patriarch of that
religion.
When his master passed away, he wanted to spread his apprenticeship
to other countries and moved to China. After having met emperor
Wu-Di of the Liang dynasty, he settled down in the Shaolin
Monastery, which is situated in the province of Henan (northern
China). In the monastery, Bodhidharma lived ascetically and by
meditating for 9 years developed Ch'an Buddhism (Japanese: Zen
Buddhism).
When he taught Ch'an Buddhism, which contains elements of Dhyana
Buddhism and Taoism, he realized that his apprentices did not have
the mental and physical shape to really meditate, or to defend
themselves from bandits. That's why he developed certain gymnastics
and breathing techniques. Bodhidarma’s "muscle exercises" were
surely influenced by his experiences with his experience in the
Tamil martial arts. The "muscle exercises" and the "18 hands of
lohan", which were developed later on, are however the basis for
nowadays Shaolin Kempo, otherwise known as Kung Fu.
Bodhidarma also introduced the healing art of Varma Cuttiram and
herbal medicines from the Tamil country which evolved into
Acupuncture, Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong, and Chinese medicine of today.
Both Varma Kalai and Kuttu Varisai combined make up a deadly
fighting art. Varma Kalai (also known as Marma Adi in Kerala) is the
art of dealing with vital pressure points of the human body. The
Chinese arts of Tai Chi (healing touch) and Dim Mak (death touch)
are very close to Varma Cuttiram (healing touch and remedies) and
Varma Kalai. In Varma Kalai one can heal, maim or even kill someone
depending on what part of the body is hit and how much pressure is
applied.
In Kuttu Varisai, gymnastic, stretching (yoga), and breathing
exercises are conducted before training. In combat, almost every
part of the body is used such as the fists, elbow, feet, knees, etc.
Various different animal styles such as the tiger, elephant, snake,
eagle and monkey are used. All these styles include posture,
grappling, throws, hits, and locks.
There are a huge variety of weapons used in this fighting system
which can easily be seen in many Chola bronze statues of various
deities. Some resemble those used by the gladiators of ancient Rome.
Weapons include the trident, sticks (kali or kaji) (short, long, or
double sticks), swords (val) and shield, double swords, daggers
(kuttuval) (simple or double), knuckle duster (kuttu katai), and
whips with several flexible and metallic blades (surul pattai).
Silambam is an ancient art of staff fencing. This was patronized by
the Chola, Chera and Pandiya Kings, who ruled the country of
Tamilnadu and other parts of the sub-continent. According to
research this form of martial arts has been in existence for over
5000 years, even before the arrival of the Indo-Aryans. Silambam is
said to be the oldest in the world since the use of the stick was
the first weapon used in pre-historic times. It received royal
patronage from all the Tamil Kings beginning from the Sangam era.
The soldiers of the King Veerapandia Kattbomman (1760 – 1799) relied
mainly on their prowess in Silambam in their warfare with the
British Army.
The Silappadikkaram of Tamil literature, dating back to 2nd century
A.D., refers to the sale of Silamabam staves, swords, pearls and
armor to foreign traders. The ancient trading centre at Madurai
city, renowned globally, was said to be thronged by Romans, Greeks,
and Egyptians among others who had regular sea trade with the
ancient Dravidian kings. The silambam staff was one of the martial
art weapons, which was in great demand with the visitors.
Some records trace the origin of this art to the Tamil deity
Murugan. Silambam is believed to have traveled from Tamil Nadu to
Malaysia, where it is now a popular recreational sport and also a
mode of self - defense.
Four different types of staves are used. One produces a swishing
sound, another involves lighted balls of cloth at one end of the
staves, called 'torch silambam', a third is quite short in length
but powerful, and finally a non - elastic staff that produces a
clattering sound.
Malyutham is similar to western wrestling. Greek Pankrathon
wrestling may be related to this art since there have been much
sea-trade between the Tamil country, Greece and Rome (yavanas). The
art reached its zenith in Tamilnadu during the Pallava period. The
temples of Mamalapuram were constructed by the Pallava king Mammala.
He is said to have been a master at Malyutham wrestling. During
mid-Chola period mallas ( artistes ) went to various parts of the
sub-continent and Sri Lanka to participate in tournaments. The art
was taught in ancient days by persons belonging to the Malliga
Chetty community.
Here, the opponents wrestle with each other, attempting to push the
other down. Various rules of the game apply to the procedure. In a
tournament, wrestlers travel far and wide, challenging local
wrestlers, and if they win, the name and fame of their own town or
area is multiplied hundredfold.
Adithada is very similar to Muay Thai kickboxing. Fighters use their
feet, hands, knees, elbows, and the forehead. Grappling is
incorporated as part of combination moves in this fighting art for
take downs. Pressure points are also targeted during dueling. This
art has evolved into a dynamic fighting sport in Thailand called
Muay Thai and other countries of Indo-China like Cambodia, Laos, and
Burma. During the British Raj, it was the Gurka regiment who used
the Brumese martial art called Bando which incorporated kickboxing
in this system called Lethwei. This art of kickboxing was also used
by the Gurkas in hand to hand combat against the Japanese on the
Indo-Burma border during WWII.
Between the 2nd to 12th centuries AD the Cholas and Pallavas did
extensive sea trade throughout Southeast Asia and China. Various
countries periodically came under Tamil rule. At the beginning of
the 2nd century AD, Pallava prince Kaundinyan of Kanchipuram became
the first king of Cambodia. Much of the historical accounts of the
time can be seen in bas reliefs (carvings on walls similar to
Mamallapuram wall carvings) at sites like the Angkor Wat and Angkor
Thom. The fighting arts and styles can be clearly seen on these
walls. At the Prambanan and Borobodur temples of Java Indonesia the
same can be seen in the bas reliefs of the Tamil martial arts
fighting skills used by ancient warriors. During the 10th century
A.D. the Chola Empire was at its peak with their expansion in
Southeast Asia. Under king Raja Raja Chozhan parts of Burma, Isthmus
of Kra, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java were under his rule.
Much of the elements of Tamil culture introduced there were dance,
cuisine, writing, literature, architecture, and the martial arts.
Here is a list of fighting systems in each Southeast Asian country
which had its roots in Varma Kalai, Kuttu Varisai, Malyutham,
Adithada and Silambam.
• BURMA – Bando, Lethwei (kickboxing)
• THAILAND – Krabi Krabong, Muay Thai (kickboxing)
• CAMBODIA – Pradal Serey (kickboxing)
• MALAYA – Bersilat, Silambam
• INDONESIA – Pentjak Silat (styles vary from island to island)
• PHILIPPINES – Arnis - Kali – Escrima (stick, knife, and machete
fighting), Sikaran (kickboxing), and Dumog (wrestling)
In conclusion to this topic, Martial arts were introduced by the
Tamil civilization to China and Southeast Asia. Proof of the Tamil
navy venturing into Southeast Asia introducing various arts can be
seen on the bas reliefs of numerous temples in places like Cambodia
and Indonesia. The ancient city of Kanchipuram where Daruma
Bodhidharma was born is located no where else other than in Tamil
Nadu. The fact that there are similar martial arts on the African
continent which was brought to Brazil from West Africa also proves
the fact of the origination of the Thamzhars and other Davidians
through the Lemurian continent. The martial arts of Varma Kalai,
Kuttu Varisai, Silambam, Malyutham, and Adithada have been in
existence for thousands of years. However, the martial arts of the
Tamils are slowly vanishing. Anyone who is interested in joining a
discussion group to learn, teach, and promote these arts are
welcome. Please go to: Thamizhar Martial Arts
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/thamizharmartialarts/
• Sharma, Pratap Zen Katha: Inspired by the Life of
Bodhidarma, founder of Zen and Martial Arts
• Zarilli, Phillip When the Body Becomes all Eyes
• Encyclopedia of Martial Arts
• Broughton, Jeffrey The Bodhidarma Anthology
• Hsuan, Hua The Intention of Patriarch Bodhidarma’s coming
from the West
• Balakrishnan, P. Kalarippayattu
• Madras Institute of Asian Studies ŽVarma Cuttiram
• Raj, Manuel J. Silambam: Technique and Evaluation
• Raj, Manuel J. The origin and the historical development
of Silambam fencing [microform] : an ancient self-defense
sport of India
• New Delhi: Sports Authority of India Indigenous Games and
Martial Arts of India
• International Tamil Language Foundation The Handbook of
Tamil Culture and Heritage
• Winderbaum, Larry The Martial Arts Encyclopedia
• Ramaswamy, Sumathi The Lost Land of Lemuria: Fabulous
Geographies, Catastrophic Histories
• Lewis, J. Lowell Ring of Liberation: Deceptive Course in
Brazilian Martial Arts
• Capoeira, Nestor Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight Game
• Kraithat, Panya Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of
Fighting
• Vaitayanon, Kumron Muay Thai: The Art of Eight Limbs
• Paladin Press Fighting Arts of Indonesia: Combat Secrets
of Silat and Kuntao
• Wiley, Mark V. Filipino Martial Arts: Cabales Serrada
Escrima
• Galang, Reynaldo S. Classic Arnis
• Diego, Antonio The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo
• Berk, William R. Chinese Healing Arts
• VARMAKALAI
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/varmakalai/VARMA%20KALAI%20-%20(ENGLISH)%201.htm
• SILAMBAM
http://www.silambam.com/
Martial Arts Origins
