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Meaning of Silambam
Meaning of Silambam
The word silambam was emerged in India. Silam is commonly known as hill in Tamil language. When the ancient warfare practices were banned in the British times, people who loved the art started practicing Silambam in the hills and farms in remote areas.
Silambam spread across India and it is called in different names in different parts of the country. Silambam is called as neduvadi in Kerala; karrasammu in Andhra Pradesh; akaada and kaara samu in Telangana; dhanta varisai in Karnataka, lathi in Uttar Pradesh; marithani in Maharashtra; dhal lakadi in Gujarat; patta pachi in Punjab and Haryana; kathga in Jharkhand and Bihar. In English it is called as Stickbite, po in Japan and as Latikeela in Bengal.
Silambam is also called as Silambattam, Silamba Sandai, Silamba Vilayatu, Thadivarisai, Thaalim Vilayatu, Sathanaiyattam, Kavaandhu Atam, karadiyattam, Kazhiattam, Valtiyatta, Valdi Jakada and Pana Aatam in Tamil.
History of Silambam
History of Silambam
The South Indian kings Chera, Chola and Pandiya introduced this art in their warfare and made it compulsory for all soldiers.
In the recent past, at the time of King Puli Thever (1715-1767) and Veera Pandiya Kattabomman (1760-1799) this art was resurrected and was used in the fights against the British. Sivaganga rulers Maruthu Pandiyars who led the first war of Independence against the British in the year 1801 relied mainly on their powers in silambam in their warfare.
The hardest time for Silambam was during the colonial rule of British. The British government banned the Silambam practice in India as they knew the dangers of this Indian Martial art. British troops were well trained to use explosives and guns, but they were lacking the physical combat skills. This fear led them to impose ban on Indian Martial arts.
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