The Origins and Historical Development of Silambam Fencing

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This research paper written in 1988 by Dr. David Manuel Raj, pictured below, was selected by the xxiv Seoul Olympic Scientific Congress (South Korea) and scheduled to be read on September 10, 1988 at one of the seminar halls at the Danhook University Campus in Seoul, South Korea. The Origin & Historical Development of Silambam Fencing: An Ancient Self- Defense Sport of India

INTRODUCTION Etymologically Silambam is an onomatopoeic term for the swishing sound produced when an elastic cane bamboo, uniform in cross section and of a length which is a little less than that of the performer, is brandished with power and hit against another in the process of dueling (1). The purpose of this study was to trace the origin and the historical development of Silambam Fencing, a Dravidian Martial Sport of Tamil civilization, India from prehistoric time to the 20th Century A. D. METHOD This study was undertaken mainly by Library Research Method.

HISTORY OF SILAMBAM FENCING BEFORE CHRIST

According to Rapson, E. J. (2) several millennia before the Christian Era, the greater part of India was inhabited by Dravidians. Rajagopalan, K. (3) writes: Stick fight (Silambam Fencing) of Dravidians using cane bamboos is predominantly a prehistoric method of defense and attack. Paleolithic and Neolithic man found it quite handy in South India as a weapon for defense and attack against animal and human foes. Iyengar, S. (4) records: Single stick (wand of male bamboo) fencing is prevalent still in South India right from the Stone Age. According to Tamil India (5) palm-leaf called EADU was used by ancient Dravidians to inscribe Tamil literature including Silambam materials with the help of a traditional iron stylus called ELUTHUTANI (Tamil). Some scholars specializing in Sangam Tamil literature assert that Agasthiars included Silambam as one of the 64 ancient arts (6). A legendary Agasthian seems to have written an ancient Tamil Work AGATHITHIYAM. Tolkappiam (300 BC), the first grammar work in Tamil reported to have been composed by one of the twelve disciples of Agasthian (7) is the forerunner of the Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharvana Vedas arranged by Vedasyasar, says Nachchnaarkiniar (8). Senavurayar (9) interpret[ation of] the 81st stanza of CHOL ATHIGARAM in Tolkappiam shows the existence of Silambakkodams (akin to a modern gymnasium wherein Martial Sports were taught). Silambam seems to have flourished even before 300 BC. Silambam fencing materials collated from Maria Michael Asan (10) might have been passed on to him from generation to generation either through oral tradition or through palm-leaf manuscript from a dim past. Pillai (11) records Silambam Fencing was one of the recreation activities of Dravidians long before the migration of the Aryans into India (2000 to 1500 BC). Dravidian Tamil Princes of the olden days are said to be trained in Silambam, Horse Riding, and Sword fencing and we find evidence of this in many legendary writings. Rapson (12) opines: Long before the beginning of the Christian era, the Dravidian South … had constituted themselves into powerful kingdoms, some of which carried on thriving trades with Western Asia, Egypt and later with Greek and Roman Empires. Rapson (13) and Rajagopalan (14) make it clear that the Tyrians, Hebrews, Western Asians, Far East Islanders, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Babylonians traded with South Indians. An exhibit (15) of British Museum cites Sticks of this kind were used by Egyptian fighting troops from the XVII Dynasty (after c. 1500 B.C.). They were employed in close conjunction with light shields, New Kingdom, c. 1300 B. C. This short stick of 4 feet in length was fitted at one end with a wooden hook which is termed HAND GRIP. Egyptian soldiers of 1500 BC used only one end of a staff, 4 feet in length, whereas ancient Tamil warriors used both ends of a staff, the staff having a length a little less than the height of the performer, for defensive and offensive maneuvers. A painted Limestone (15) another exhibit in the British Museum, London reveals: Part of a scene shows ancient Egyptian warrior carrying a battle-axe, a staff and a bow (1490 B.C.).One could conclude that staff fights might have been prevalent in Egypt around 1490 B.C. The Tamil Holy Bible (17) mentions the reliance of David the Shepard boy on God’s KOL (long staff) and THADI (short staff). Biblical verses (18), (19), & (20) transport one to chivalric days of staff fights and spear dueling of 30 valiant men of King David dating back to 1,000 B.C. Egyptians and Hebrew Kings might have had many cultural exchanges including Silambam with the Dravidians of South India during their sea trades (21). A Tamil Poetic stanza (22) describes: Dravidian Kings fielded always soldiers of foot regiments, armed with staves called THANDU PADAI, meaning a regiment armed with Silambam Staves in Tamil. E. A. Khan (23) documents the fusion of Dravidian Martial Sports with the culture of Aryans. During the Vedic Age, a young Indian was given training to defend himself with the staff or a DANDU in case of emergency and a ritual called DHANDA-PRADHANA was associated with it. The word DANDU both in Tamil and Sanskrit denotes a staff. In Yajur Veda, we find references to Dandu (LATHI in Hindi). Vagbhata-Sootsrahstan, Canto 2 and Sushruta-Chikitsasthan Canto 24 verse 76 in Yajur Veda relate pragmatic uses of Dandu rather than detailing the wielding techniques of Dandu or Lathi and the footwork involved in it. After the Aryans, foreign invaders such as Ahasuerus (24), the King of Media and Persia as well as Alexander the Great, the Masidonian King invaded India in 486-484 and 328 BC respectively. Use of lances (staves, fitted with metal endings which are off shoots of Silambam) and swords are reported to have been wielded during the hot battle by the soldiers of Elephant corps of the Hindu King Porus of India against the armies of Alexander, the Great. An extraordinary silver decadrachm (25) records the wielding of the lances by the soldiers of King Porus on elephant back during the retreat of Porus.

HISTORY OF SILAMBAM FENCING AFTER CHRIST According to Silappathikaram (26), a Tamil classic of the 2nd Century A.D., a shopping center of Madurai City the citadel of King Pandiyan Nedunchezhiyan, attracted the sale of Silambam staves as well as armour of battles, etc. to many foreign traders. Also, it records the victories of Dhera, Chola and Pandya Kings against Aryan Kings. It is all because of the sound military system of their soldiers who had probably been trained with great care in Silambam and Sword fencing. Narasimha Varman I (27), a Pallava Dravidian King (630 – 680 AD) defeated Pulakesin II and seized Badavi his capital because of the brave command of Paranjothi, his War General, an exponent in sword and silambam. Raja Raja Chola conquered Maldive Islands whereas Rajendra Chola captured the capital of Sri Vijaya (Palembang of Sumatra Island) and of Kadaram (Keda of the West Coast of Malaya). A technique adopted by Rajendra Chola in swordsmanship and Silambam spear fencing is reported to be VIJAYAVAAL (slashing the spear and sword on the facial targets) (28) used in his naval and army warfares. Hence, Cholas had an imperial sway from 815 to 1200 AD. The wall paintings of the Chola Royal Courts give evidence for the sponsorship of Chola Kings for wrestling competitions. After the reign of Mohammed Bin Tuglak (1325-1351 AD) Vijayanagar Empire under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya offered a united front against the Muslim conquests. Sculptures of the walls of Vijaya Nagar represent KOLATTAM (stick play), as well as Gladiatorial combats (29). Professional wrestlers called Jettis practiced and taught in Garadi (30), a kind of gymnasium. Silambam fencing is variously called KARADI AATTAM (31), or KOLU VILAYATTU or KATTA SAMU at present in the city of Vijayanagaram. Calavai Ariyanathar (32), an expert Silambam Fencer was hailed to the position of War General by Krishna Devaraya. Muslim advances were checked until 1526 AD. Vijayanagar Empire lost its power after the battle of Talai Kottai. Shivaji, a Maratta King of Dravida Nadu made the Sultan of Bijapur and Emperor Aurangazib strike retreats because of his advanced warfare techniques in swordsmanship and Lathi (staff) fencing as well as his well-armed forts including the Rockfort at Trichy.

Ziegenbalg (33) and Fabricius (34) in rendering New and Old Testaments of the Holy Bible in Tamil in 1715 and 1782 respectively used the same word SILAMBAM in translating the words ‘fight’ and ‘play’. This shows the popularity of Silambam. While a Papyrus Tamil manuscript MAVAI PALLU (35) of the 18th Century refers to the ‘Straight Hit’ and Round-About Hit’, the two techniques of Silambam, a Tamil Medical work, Pathartha Guna Chinthamani, (36) documents health aspects of Silambam. Veerapandia Kattabomman (1760 – 1799) (37), a War General of Panjaalankurichi Fort, won over British Armies many times by his skills of swordsmanship and silambam fights, until the British opened up the fire arms such as canons and bullets against him and his armies. A large British Cemetery at the precincts of his Fort is a memorable historical relic for his victories over the British. Although the Britishers banned (38) Indians using this modus operandi their zeal made them practice fights with sugarcane sticks which they pretended to eat, when they were caught.

After the Independence of India (August 15, 1947) Silambam got resurrected. Silambam: Technique and Evaluation (39) – a Master’s Degree Thesis, 1967; Origin and Historical Development of Silambam Fencing: An ancient Self Defence Sport of India, a Ph.D. Dissertation (40), 1977; Book Publications such as, Silambam: Technique and Evaluation (English) (41), 1971; Silambam: Adimuraigalum Varalarum (Tamil) (42), 1973 and Silambam Fencing from India (English) (43), 1975 added to the literary contributions on this Sport.. Presentation of research papers on the historical aspects of Silambam at the second (44) and fifth (45) International Conference Seminars of Tamil Studies have voiced Silambam at the respective International circles. Offering Beginning, Intermediate and Advance Courses on Silambam Fencing in USA (46), founding of International Silambam Fencing Association (47) and the participation of first ever Indian Silambam Team (48) in the Festival of India in USSR in September 1987 are few of the signal historic achievements in the domain of Silambam Fencing. Quite recently, 14 laws (49) of Silambam control the contests. Youngsters are turning now in great numbers to excel in Silambam. It is also popular in the Film World. RESULTS

This Historical study has unearthed the origin ans historical development of Silambam Fencing from the pre-historic period to the 20th Century through a broad survey of library research; no doubt with many historical gaps to be filled in later by scholars.

REFERENCES

1) Bartholomew Ziegenbald. (1782). New Testament (trans.) (Tamil). Tranquebar: Tranquebar Mission. I Corinthians 9:26 (33). 2) David Manuel Raj, J. (1973). Silambam: Adimuraigalum veralarum (Tamil). The Author, Professor, Alagappa College of Physical Education, Tamil Nadu, India. (42) : 200; (44): v. 3) David Manuel Raj, J. (1975). Silambam fencing from India. The Author, Professor, Alagappa College of Physical Education, Tamil Nadu, India. (31) : 3; (32) : 39; (38) : 29; (43) : 180. 4) David Manual Raj, J. (1967). Silambam: Technique and evaluation. MPE Degree. This submitted to Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India. (39). 5) David Manuel Raj, J. (1971). Silambam: Technique & evaluation. The Author, Professor, Alagappa College of Physical Education, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. (41). 6) David Manuel Raj, J. (1977). The laws and officiating of silambam fencing of India. The Author, Principal, YMCA College of Physical Education, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. (47) : 17 – 24; (49) : 5 – 16. 7) David Manuel Raj, J. (1988). Log book on silambam fencing. The Author, ‘Carmel,’ YMCA College Campus, Madras 600035, India (45) : 15. 8) David Manuel Raj, J. (1977). The origin and the historical development of silambam fencing: An ancient self-defense sport of India. Ph.D. dissertation submitted to the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA. (1): 91; (6) : 122 – 123; (21) : 50; (26) : 68 – 69; (27): 74; (28) : 76; (40) : 1- 154; (46) : 88. 9) Devaneya Paavanar, G. (1966). Letter dated September 14, 1966. Professor of Tamil, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu India. (36). 10) Durgadoss Swamy, S.K. and Valithunairam, S. (1958). Veerapandia Kattabomman. Madras-24: Prema Publishing Co. (37) : 25. 11) Eraj Ahmed Khan. (1964). History of physical education. Patna: Scientific Book Company. (23) : 318. 12) Exhibit: Glass case number 5487. Egyptian Gallery, British Museum, London, U.K. (15). 13) Exhibit: Glass case number 1828. Egyptian Gallery, British Museum, London, U.K. (16). 14) Fabricius. (1782). Old testament (trans.) (Tamil). Tranquebar: Tranquebar Mission. (17) : Psalm 23:4; (18) : I Chronicles 11:20; (19): I Chronicles 11:22; (20): I Chronicles 11:23; (24) : Esther 1:1; (34) : II Samuel 2:14. 15) Kanthiah Pillai, N.C. (1959). Tamil India. Madras: Tirunelveli South India S S Noorpathippu Kazhagam Ltd. (11) : 69. 16) Kantiah Pillai, N.C. (1972). Tamilaham. Madras: Tirunelveli Saiva Sidhthantha Noorpathippu Kazhagam Ltd. (7) : 130; (8) : 40. 17) Maria Michael Asan. (1977). Manuscript on silambam fencing. Parasakthi Maruththuva Salai, 53 South Car Street, Tirunelveli. (10). 18) Nagarajan, R. (1987). Festival of India in USSR – Silambam fencing. Commissioner of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, Madras 600 084, India. (48) : 19 – 22. 19) Paranjothi Munivar. (1937). Thiruvilayadal puranam: koolamum urayum (Tamil) Madras: Murugavel Book Salai. (22) : Madurai Thirunagar Padalam, Stanza 72. 20) Pulavar Ramanathan. (1977). Letter dated February 5, 1977. Principal, Tamil College, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. (9). 21) Purnalingam Pillai, M.S. (1963). Tamil India. Madras : The South India Saiva Sidhantha Works Publishing Society Ltd. (5) : 1. 22) Rajagopalan, K. (1962). A brief history of physical education in India. Delhi: Army Publishers. (3) : 1; (4) : 16; (14) : 87; (29) : 192; (30) : 195.

23) Rapson, E. J. (ed.). (1922). The Cambridge history of India. New York: The McMillan Co. Vol. 1. (2) : 593; (12) & (13): 594; (25) : 389. 24) Sethuragunathan, N. (1966). Letter dated October 5, 1966. Professor of Tamil, VHNSN College, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India. (35).

Prof. Dr. J. David Manuel Raj, ______Former Principal (1977 – 1986) YMCA College of Physical Education Campus, Chennai – 35, India