Dravidian martial arts

Dravidian martial arts have been practiced by Dravidian peoples in South India and northeastern Sri Lanka since the Sangam period.

History

The origins of Dravidian martial arts date back to the 2nd possible 3rd century BC, when various martial arts were described in Sangam literature at the time. The "Akananuru" and "Purananuru" describe the martial arts of ancient Tamilakkam, including forms of one-to-one combat, and the use of spears, swords, shields, bows and silambam. The word "kalari" appears in the "Puram" (verses 225, 237, 245, 356) and "Akam" (verses 34, 231, 293) to describe to both a battlefield and combat arena. The word "kalari tatt" denoted a martial feat, while "kalari kozhai" meant a coward in war. [Suresh, P. R. (2005). [http://www.palmlandtours.net/kerala/tours/kalari/kalaripayatte/kalari.htm Kalari Payatte - The martial art of Kerala.] ]

Each warrior in the ancient Tamilakkam received regular military training [Subramanian, N. (1966). "Sangam polity". Bombay: Asian Publishing House.] in target practice and horse riding, and specialized in the use of one or more of the important weapons of the period, including the lance or spear (vel), sword (val) and shield (kedaham), and bow (vii) and arrow. The combat techniques of the Sangam period were the earliest precursors to Kalarippayattu.Zarrilli, Phillip B. [http://www.spa.ex.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/power.html A South Indian Martial art and the Yoga and Ayurvedic Paradigms.] University of Exeter.]

Around 630 AD, King Narasimhavarman of the Pallava dynasty commissioned dozens of granite sculptures showing unarmed fighters disarming armed opponents. These may have shown an early form of Varma Adi,Svinth, J. R. (2002). [http://ejmas.com/kronos A Chronological History of the Martial arts and Combative Sports] , "Electronic Journals of Martial arts and Sciences".] a Dravidian martial art that allowed kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes, [Zarrilli, Phillip B. [http://www.spa.ex.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/healharm.html The Vital Spots ("Marmmam/Varmam") in Two South Indian Martial Traditions] , "Paradigms of Practice and Power in a South Indian Martial art". University of Exeter.] and punching to the head and chest, but prohibited blows below the waist. This is similar to the Dhanur Veda martial art described in the "Agni Purana" (c. 8th century), which contains several chapters giving descriptions and instructions on the fighting arts of Dhanur Veda, with reference to an earlier sutra on Dhanur Veda dating back centuries earlier. [Chakravarti, P. C. (1972). "The art of warfare in ancient India". Delhi.]

Martial arts were not exclusive to the Kshatriya warrior caste. The 8th century text "Kuvalaymala" by Udyotanasuri recorded martial arts being taught at "salad" and "ghatika" educational institutions, where Brahmin students from throughout the subcontinent (particularly from South India, Rajasthan and Bengal) "were learning and practicing archery, fighting with sword and shield, with daggers, sticks, lances, and with fists, and in duels (niuddham)." [Luijendijk, D.H. (2005) Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art, Paladin Press, ISBN 1-58160-480-7]

The modern forms of "Marma Adi" or Varma Ati, and Kalarippayattu were developed by the 11th century, during an extended period of warfare between the Chera and Chola dynasties. [Zarrilli, Phillip B. (1998). "When the Body Becomes All Eyes: Paradigms, Discourses and Practices of Power in Kalarippayattu, a South Indian Martial art". Oxford: Oxford University Press.] Kalarippayattu of Kerala today is an internationally known martial art.

Martial Arts of Tamil Nadu

* Adithada (Kickboxing)
* Kuttu Varisai (Hand and Foot Combat)
* Varma Kalai (Pressure Point Attacks)
* Malyutham (Grappling)

Weapons

* Silambam (Long Staff)
* Muchaan (Short Staff)
* Iretthai Mulonggol (Double Stick)
* Iretthai Vaal (Double Swords)
* Vaal (Single Sword)
* Vaal/Kedeyam (Sword/ Shield)
* Vettarival (Machete)
* Kattari (Small Dagger)
* Peetchuva (Double Edged Kris)
* Surul Pattai (Spiral Steel Whip)
* Suulam (Trident)
* Maduvu (Deer Horns)
* Surul Kombu (Spiral Horns)
* Valari (Boomerang)
* Vel or Etty (Spear)
* Vill Ambu (Bow and Arrow)

Martial Arts of Kerala

* Kalarippayattu (Arena fighting)
* Marma ati (Pressure Point Attacks)

Weapons

* Urumi (Spiral Steel Whip)
* Kurunthadi (Short Stick)
* Otta (Curved Stick)
* Gadha (Club/ Mace)
* Kattari (Dagger)
* Vettukathi (Machete/ Kukri)
* Churika/Kadhara (Short Sword)
* Val (Long Sword)
* Paricha (Round Shield)
* Churika/Kadhara (Short Sword)
* Kuntham (Spear)
* Kettukari (Long Staff)
* Ambum Villum (Bow and Arrow)
* Trisool (Trident)

References