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Marital Art of Tamil Nadu 

The ancient Tamils paid a great deal of attention to physical care and development of the body. They believed that looking after the body was a very important aspect of life and if the body was not carefully tended to, all the education and wealth gathered in life was of little use. Hence, in the olden days, Tamil people encouraged youth to get involved in games , sports and various kinds of physical activities. 

During Sanga period, there were many exercise centers similar to today's gymnasia. They were known as Poravai, Murankalari etc. Kalari is a word used to denote physical training centers and martial art training centers in Kerala are called Kalari even today. The teachers who train students in these arts are known as 'Kalaripanickar'. 

These physical training activities were mostly popular with the young men. Men had the duty to protect the motherland and hence needed to be well informed about martial arts. During times of peace, they kept their physical fitness at optimum level by involving in competitions and tournaments of all sorts. 

During the Pallava and Chola period, there was a revival of interest in developing the martial arts. The Pallava reign saw a great improvement in the art of wrestling. Narasimhavarman, a Pallava king was an expert in this art and had the title 'Mamallan', meaning a great wrestler. 

This is a very popular form of martial art, which has survived the tests of time. The name is derived from the whishing and whooshing noise created by the movement of the pole used in this combat. In Malayalam, it is known as Neduvari; in Kannada, Thanda Varisai, in Telugu Karadi Aattam. Generally youth and middle-aged men involve in this. They fight with long bomboo poles. During the fight one has to protect oneself from being hit by the opponent's pole. It is used for self protection and exercise. Eye, leg and hand co-ordination is very necessary. Movements of beating, swinging the pole and circling the pole are involved. Quick steps, jumping and running are also essential. It can be practiced one against one or one against many. Success in indicated when one manages to knock the pole from the opponent's hand. Expert care is given to the practice of preventing the opponent's pole from touching one's body and also to the touching of other's body with one's own pole. 

In Tamilnadu, Silambaattam is popular in the southerm districts, particularly in Tirunelveli district. This district has given birth to many famous silambaatta experts like Kattabomman, Umaithurai, Marudupandi etc. the person who teaches this art is known as Silambam Vaathiyar or Aasan. This art was practiced as a game during festival times, accompanied by song and music. 

In Jalli Kambu method, the opponents fight with each other armed with tow short sticks of 2 ½ feet length. 

This is similar to the western wrestling. It is placed among the 64 arts listed in ancient literature. The art reached its zenith in Tamilnadu during the Pallava period. During mid-Chola period mallas ( artistes ) went to Sri Lanka to participate in tournaments. The art was taught in ancient days by persons belonging to the Malliga Chetty community. 

Here, the opponents wrestle with each other, attempting to push the other down. Various rules of the game appluy to the procedure. In a tournament, wrestlers travel far and wide, challenging local wrestlers, and if they win, the name and fame of their own town or area is multiplied hundredfold. 

This martial art was famous all over India. It has been mentioned in the great epics of the country, like Ramayana and Mahabharatha. In Tamilnadu, this art reached its zenith during the Chola period. This art was well-known to highlight the physical prowess and courage of Tamil kings and warriors. In this, the opponents fight using swords, protecting themselves from the swing of the other's sword, at the same time trying to wound the other with their own sword. Winning is determined when one person in sounded or his sword is struck to the ground by other. Sometimes, shields were also used for self-protection. 

This art involves gymnastic skill and perseverance. At the top of a tall pole, a pot filled with colored water is tied. The bark of the pole is stripped off and the trunk is rubbed well with oil to make it as slippery as possible. The youths try to clamber up the pole, while the others stand round them and pour water on them and shout to distract them. The successful youth is the first one to reach the pot and break it. The successful one gets gifts, money and so on. This is still considered as one of the activities of courage in Tamilnadu. 

This is another form of boxing, slightly varied from wrestling. In this, the fighters rain blows on each other, thus attempting to floor them. This also, like wrestling, was taught in kalaris. 

Such skilled warriors can defend themselves with bare hands against any weapon. The picture shows a young man overcoming an opponent armed with a knife. 

This art of overcoming a ferocious bull is popular even today in the villages. A bull is specifically reared for this purpose, its horns sharply honed and dreadfully dangerous. When it is let out of the enclosure, many youth or a single youth run with it trying to overcome it by holding down its horns or climbing on its back. This is a very dangerous activity as one hit from the sharp, pointed horns means sure death. 

Normally, money or gold is tied to the horns and the successful youth removes it. At times, it is used as a method of selecting a bridegroom for a well-sought-after and beautiful bride. 

In Tamilnadu, nowadays , this activity is involved in on the day after Pongal, which is known as maattupongal or Bullocks Pongal. This is organized very efficiently at Alanganallur near Madurai. Many tourists form all over the county and also from other countries visit this place to enjoy the fight. 

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