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Home , Cuddalore district, Fencing, Silambam, Sparring

The Following paper entitled “, An Indian Martial Art: Demonstration D.V. Programme” was written by M. Shahul Hameed in an effort to promote its sale and distribution. For information as to the availability, price, and how to go about purchasing the nearly 2 hour-long DVD, contact him by e-mail at [email protected]. His mobile number in , is 94433 21925. To see the video film advertisement click here: Video Clip

We all know that our country (India) has a rich traditional and cultural heritage. Like other foreign countries, we people of India are also giving greater importance to propagate our traditional arts. In this regard, we of the Simashan Institute of in Madurai (an institute established in 2001) have decided to propagate our cultural and martial art ‘Sialmbam’ all over the world through demonstration in DVD and VCD form by next month. The art of Silambam is one of the 64 ancient Tamil arts mentioned in Tamil History and Literature and is the “mother of all martial arts.” Nowadays, however, its repute is slowly fading away in , the place of its birth.

Nevertheless, an increasing number of foreigners are taking interest in Silambam. Dr. Edward L. Powe, for instance wrote a book called ’s Warriors which provides a detailed account of silambam as taught at the Simashan Institute and other localities in Tamil Nadu. However, if Silambam art can be captured in a VCD or DVD it would be even more helpful both for foreigners and our younger generation to appreciate the beauty of the art and enable Silambam to grow .

The use of the Quarter-Staff (Stick) in fighting and recreation seems to have been in existence in some form or other in almost all countries of the world in all times. However, the mode and style of play vary from state to state. In India, stick handling techniques are called Silambam. Silambam is an old martial and folk art practice. Since this art originated in Tamilnadu (one of the states of India), we can find references to its antiquity in major Tamil works like the Purannooru and the Agasthiar Kambu Suthiram as well as in some other minor literary works.

Silambam is considered to be one of the 64 arts of the ancient period, and for this reason we say it is the mother of all martial arts with unique techniques and practices. In the Sangam era, the kings who ruled Dravidnadu greatly patronized this combative art and it was used during warfare.

Modern silambam has three types, namely: 1) Silambam for SELF DEFENSE against enemies and wild animals; 2) Silambam for DEMONSTRATION or RECREATION during festivals, important occasions, etc.; and 3) Silambam as a SPORT which is now subject to certain prescribed rules and regulations.

The wielding of the Silambam staff has developed into a highly sophisticated art with numerous skills. Among the advantages of silambam training one finds: therapeutic benefits, the development of strength, promotion of health, and development of alertness. We are grateful to our Silambam teachers in Tamil Nadu, namely: Mr. A. K. Mohamed Ali (from Madurai); Mr. Katherasan (Madurai); Mr. S. M. Mani (Madurai); Mr. A. Appanasamy (Madurai), Dr. K. Sheik Usman (Madurai); Mr. Muthunadar (Madurai); Hajee L. John Bava (Thirunelveli); Mr. C. Chandrasekaran (Thanjavur); and Mr. K. M. M. Salem (Madurai).

We also thank our mentors in Tamil Nadu; namely: Mrs. Sarathu Samadhani (Madurai); Mr. S. Subramaniam Aiya (Master of Aesthetics from Madurai); Mr. S. M. Pillai (founder of the World MGR Silamba Kazhagam from Kanyakumari); Dr. T. Cinnaraj Joseph (Principal of the American College from Madurai); and Mr. K. P. Olypmpia Jayakumar (Body Building art-exponent from Villupuram).

We also offer thanks here to the various Managements in Madurai who provided the following locations: Kancheerampetai Village; Hawa Valley; Alagar Kovil; S. D. H. Jain Vidyalaya; Thirumalai Naicker Palce; Gandhi Museum; Akash Club; Sea Shore ( District); and the Department of Tourism of the (Madurai).

The demonstration programme is divided into six sections, namely:

Section A (Group Bow – Opening) lasts for 1.41 minutes [Note here that this notation means one minute and 41 seconds and not 1 minute + 41/100th of a minute];

Section B (Silambam & Its Techniques) consists of 18 divisions, namely: 1) Individual Stick Rotations (Mumthi – 1.36 minutes; Sheik – 2.07 minutes; and Selvi – 2.45 minutes); 2) Individual Skill double stick rotations (Shahul – 1.45 minutes); 3) Long Stick (Pair) – Attacks and Blocks (Shahul & Ramachandran – 2.38 minutes); and 4) Long Stick (pair) Attacks and Blocks (Shahul & Ramachandran – 2.48 minutes); 5) One short and one long stick attacks & blocks with blindfold by Raja & Shahul – 1.12 minutes; 6) Parrot Cage (Ridhi, Mumthi, Rohan & Sanjay –31 seconds; 7) Parrot Cage (Sheik, Raja, Erulan, Venkat, Sabri, Selvi, Umar, Malar, M. – 1.41 minutes; 8) Chedi Kutchi (Pair) (Sheik & Raja – 1.34 minutes); 9) Thunder Bolt (Kattai Kambu – Pair) (Raja & Shahul – 1.38 minutes); 10) Stick Walk (Pair) (Raja & Malar, M. – 1.11 minutes); 11) Deer Horn Rotations (Sheik – 1.17 minutes); 12) Pillar Silambam (Shahul – 1.21 minutes); 13) Single Curled (Surul Vaal) Rotations (Rohan for 28 seconds and Erulan for 1.39 minutes); 14) Double Curled Sword Rotations (Shahul – 1.01 minutes); 15) Single Sword Rotatitons (Sheik – 1.32 minutes); 16) Deer Horn & Stick Fighting (Pair) ( Shahul & Ramachandran (2.16 minutes); 17) Sword & Shield Demo (Pair) (Sheik & Shahul – 1.26 minutes); and 18) Kuthu Varusai (Barehand Techniques) (Usman – 1.38 minutes & Shahul – 1.03 minutes; Section C (Silambam Variations) consists of 9 divisions, namely: 1) Silambam Religious Harmony Demo (Sheik – 35 seconds); 2) Double Tube Light Rotations (Madhan – 59 seconds & Raja (blind folded) – 1.27 minutes; 3) Tiger & Silambam Artist Demo (Shahul and Venkat – 1.35 minutes); 4) Silambam Single Water Glass Maneuver (Madhan – 1.06 minutes); 5) Silambam Double Water Glass Maneuver (Venkat – 1.19 minutes); 6) Silambam Demo on Wooden Legs (Pair) (Raja & Shahul – 2.17 minutes; 7) Lattu with Balls Demo (Raja and Malar M – 1.39 minutes); 8) Ribbons Silambam Demo (Rohan, Sanjay, Mumthi. Madhan, Prasanna – 1.01 minutes); and 9) Ribbons Silambam Demo (Venkat, Erulan, Malar M, Shahul & Mumthi – 2.42 mins);

Section D (Sports Silambam) consists of two team competitions: one (Rohan and Sanjay, Umar, Sabri, Syed) lasting 1.4 minutes; and one lasting 2.24 minutes (Mumthi & Riddhi, Malar (F), Selvi, Raja);

Section E (Fire Silambam) consists of 13 performances, namely: 1) Single Stick Fire (Sanjay – 1.25 miutes & Mumthi – 1.14 minutes; 2) Double Stick Fire (Madhan – 1.18 minutes & Erulan – 42 seconds); 3) Single Chain Fire (Rohan – 42 seconds); 4) Single Fire (Multiple Connected Chains) (Shahul – 2.11 minutes); 5) Double Fire Chain (Venkat – 1.11 minutes); 6) Fire Chain Tied to Hair (Venkat – 1.17 minutes); 7) Fire Chain in Mouth (Raja – 1.35 minutes); 8) Fire Chain Tied to Chest (Malar M. – 1.03 minutes); 9) Small Kitty Fire Chain (Prasanna – 19 seconds); 10) Large Kitty Fire Chain (Shahul – 2.09 minutes); 11) Fire Wheel Rotation (Raja and Malar M. – 2.16 minutes); 12) Fire Star Rotation (Erulan – 2.29 minutes); and 13) Suriyan (Sun) Fire (Malr M. – 2..32 minutes);

Section F (Group Bow – Closing) which lasts for 6 seconds.

Special thanks are also in order to the following felicitating personalities: 1) Esteemed Dr. J. David Manuel Raj, M.A., DPE, Ph. D. (An exponent of Silambam and an official observer for the XXIII world ), who speaks for 5.31 minutes; 2) Esteemed Dr. A. C. Mohan Doss, I. A. S. (Director, South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur) who speaks for 2.37 minutes; 3) Eminent Sajoru Teshi Gawara (Akido and other Asian Martial Arts Practitioner, Japan) (who speaks for 1.13 minutes and performs for 1.04 minutes); 4) Eminent Dr. P. Palanivel Rajan, M.S. Ortho (Specialist in Arthoscopic Surgery and sports injuries, Madurai) who speaks for 2.18 minutes; 5) Eminent Mr. J. R. Stalin Michel (Asst. Comm. of Police, ADC, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Madurai) who speaks for 2.11 minutes; 6) Esteemed Mr. Bhaskar Dhanraj (Tourist Officer, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Madurai) who speaks for 1.04 minutes; 7) Eminent Mr. N. Sulaiman (Retd. Asst. Director of the Regional Centre for Art & Culture, Govt. of Tamilnadu, Madurai) who speaks for 1.57 minutes; 8) Eminent Dr. Edward L .Powe, Ph. D. (Researcher in Black Martial Arts), Madison, WI USA) who speaks for 2.16 minutes; 9) Eminent Mr. S. M. Pillai (Founder of World M. G. R. Silamba Association, Kanyakumari Dt.) who speaks for 3.41 minutes and presents a 2.26 minute excerpt from a M. G. R. film; 10) Padmashri Dr. Kamal Hasan (Film Artist, Chennai) who speaks for 3.32 minutes and presents a 3.45 minute excerpt from one of his films ; and 11) M. Shahul Hameed who speaks for 2.31 minutes.

Camera & Editing was done by Uma Chandra Mohan, Music by R. Prabahar, and Production and Direction by M. Shahul Hameed. Viewers are warned not to practice this Martial Art without the guidance of a professional trainer.

The following chart provides the name, sex, age, number of events, and honor of each of the silambam artists appearing in the presentation:

Name Sex # of Honor Received & Events Age S. Sheik Ibrahimsa M 8 World Champion (25) P. Raja M 12 National Player (25) R. Umar Sheriff M 4 State Player (26) P. Malar Mannan M 10 State Player (23) V. Erulan M 7 National Player (24) J. Venkatesh Poovulagan M 8 National Player (16) G. Kalaiselvi F 4 National (19) Champion B. Madhan M 6 State Champion (10) Riddhi K. Sangoye F 3 District (12) Champion Rohan N. Sangoye M 7 State Champion (9) A. Sanjay M 6 State Champion (9) M. Mumthika Asni F 7 District (10) Champion M. Shahul Hameed M 17 International (30) Silambam Trainer K. Venkatesh Prasannan M 4 District (9 ) Champion A. Sabarinathan M 3 District Player (25) S. Ramachandran M 2 National Player (22) M. Malar F 1 State Player (27) K. Sheik Usman M 1 International (60) Silambam Trainer

This video is only the first in a series of intended presentations dealing with Silambam. Other forthcoming videos will deal with , staff rotations, locks and blocks, throwing techniques, techniques etc.