CHENNAI: The increasing popularity accorded to the ancient martial art form of Silambam or Silambattam is evident from the number of performances in the city and both the age and number of participants turning up to study it.
Following in the same vein, in a special prelude performance for raising awareness on women’s safety and self-defence, an all-women team of silambam performers from Power Pandian Asan’s Academy wowed the audience at Vani Mahal recently.
The performance was scheduled before renowned actor Crazy Mohan’s play Google Gadotkachan. The evening saw performers as young as five years and above, in an all-women ensemble to highlight the 3,000-year-old art form as one not just with cultural value but also one that can help women increase their confidence through self defence techniques.
The team showcased moves using a variety of ‘weapons’, prominently the silambam stick, surul vaal (a whip-like, flexible sword), maankombu (weapons originally made using deer antlers), and thee silambam (originally performed with fire at the end of the weapons).
The martial art dates back to the times of the Chola and Chera kings and today, it has become a performing art that activates different aspects of your mind, body, and spirit. It also uses both the right and left sides of your brain, thus triggering creativity and lateral thinking.
Actor Dhansika, who first started learning silambam from Power Pandian Asan several years ago and is a keen practitioner, was also present to witness the all-girl ensemble perform.
The growing popularity and successes of Power Pandian Asan’s students at both national and international tournaments have led to rise in awareness of the art form. Prominent among them is international champion Aishwarya Manivannan, who was also part of the performance.
The team has performed at events ranging from the Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha to several college and cultural events in the city.
According to Pandian, the women’s silambattam team from Tamil Nadu is one of the strongest on the circuit, which is testament to the fact that it can be a potent tool for self-defence issues. A video on the achievements of his team highlighting the training and regular practice undergone by his students was also screened to great acclaim from the audience.