Have we ever dreamt of an Indian team in fencing winning gold in Olympics? Give a thought. The dream would have been true if Olympics would have been prevailed globally during the reign of Pandyans.
Indians developed fencing long ago during the medieval period of history and was known as Silambam. It was very popular in Pandian Empire and the quality was such that the weapons were sold to foreign merchants during the 2nd century A.D.
Now let me tell you how similar it was to fencing as it is now. Four kinds of staves are made use of in Silambam. Participants dress up in their traditional colorful langots, sleeveless vests, turbans, canvas shoes, and a chest guard for protection giving a traditional Indian look to it. The first one creates a resonant, hissing sound; the second one has illuminated cloth balls placed at one of the ends. Not surprisingly, this staff has been named as called another staff that can be used in this game is shorter in length but is compensated with more power. Lastly, there is a non – elastic one that makes a smashing noise.
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Silambam begins with salutations to God, the opponent, spectators and teachers of the players. Players have to try and touch each other body making use of the staff. The participant with more number of touches loses the contest. To differentiate the marks on a participant’s body, the ends of the staves are encrusted with a sticky powder, which makes a prominent mark when it comes in contact with a person’s body. In order to be successful in Silambam, players need to posses rapid foot movements and good control over your body actions. While it is permissible to use both hands to make maximum utilization of the staff, impetus is actually gained by proper use of the head, shoulder, hips and leg level. Development of an impulse defense action is of utmost importance.
While one mark normally symbolizes a point, a mark made above the waist accounts for two. Duration of the game is decided prior to the start (approx 6 to 10 minutes) but the game can end before this stipulated period in case any of the players lose their staff during the bout. Silambam is conducted on an even and hard playing area. However, slippery areas are always avoided. The play field is globular having a radius of 20-25 ft. The bout takes place in 4 rounds. One-minute break is granted at the end of rounds one and three first rounds and three minutes at the end of the second.
Now guess what the game is as obsolete as is our Indian languages for instance Pali and Prakrit which were very rich in literature and Sanskrit which is considered to be the most compatible language for computers as per Forbes.
Pandyans were conquered and the conquerors destroyed their cultures along with them. Kingdoms ruined devastating rich sports and cultures along with them. While penning down this article, I was imagining at Indian history as to how there were thousands of kingdoms that were perished down underneath.
I was wondering how many talents; sportsmen and sports would have died along with them?
If a sport like Silambam was alive today, we would have atleast hoped of another Abhinav Bindra standing on the podium hearing our National Anthem with heads held high in a foreign land.
Hope the ghosts of Silambam come and wake up the Sports Ministry of India!!!
