Guide & trial classes · Kanyakumari
சிலம்பம்
Silambam is the Tamil martial art of the staff: footwork patterns and continuous spinning, striking and guarding sequences with a bamboo kambu. Lemuria VAWO teaches it in Kanyakumari, with trial classes for students and masters.
01In short
Silambam is the staff art of Tamil Nadu, named in classical Tamil literature. Practice is built on footwork (chuvadu) and on continuous sequences that join spins, strikes and guards with a bamboo staff, the kambu.
The wider system adds other traditional weapons, such as maankombu and the aruval, and an unarmed component, kuttu varisai. At Lemuria VAWO it is taught alongside Adimurai, the empty-hand art, as one path from the first class.
The kambu is traditionally cut to reach about your forehead. You do not need your own for the first class.
Trial classes are held for students and masters. Book a place and the team will call you.
02The guide
Where the art comes from, the staff and how it is sized, how training progresses, and how to start.
Silambam at a glance
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Silambam is the staff art of Tamil Nadu. It is named in classical Tamil literature, and the Silappatikaram, one of the great Tamil epics, is often cited for its mention of silambam staves among the goods traded at its ports.
The art travelled with the Tamil diaspora, and Tamil communities practise it well beyond India, notably in Malaysia, as well as across Tamil Nadu.
The staff is the kambu, traditionally cut from bamboo. Standing upright, it reaches about the forehead of the person who wields it, so a staff is chosen for its owner rather than bought in one size. Weight and balance matter as much as length, and your instructor will advise on both before you buy.
Silambam is built on footwork. Stepping patterns, chuvadu, are learned before speed or power is added, because every spin, strike and guard is carried by the feet. A student who rushes the footwork finds the staff work never settles.
At Lemuria VAWO, staff training moves through clear stages:
The wider Silambam system includes other traditional weapons, among them maankombu (deer horns, also called maduvu), the aruval and the sword. They are taught after the staff, because the footwork and timing they need are learned with it. The Lemuria Shop sells several of these weapons for students whose instructor has introduced them.
Silambam has an unarmed component, kuttu varisai, practised as sequences of strikes, blocks and footwork. At Lemuria VAWO the empty hand is taught through Adimurai, the lineage's striking art, alongside the staff.
Students who practise steadily commonly notice:
No experience is needed. Trial classes are held for students and for masters (asans) of the arts; book a place and the team will call you to confirm the batch. Wear loose clothing, bring water, and tell your instructor about any injury before you start. You do not need your own staff for the first class.
03Side by side
Three arts of the far south, often confused. Here is how they differ, and which of them Lemuria VAWO teaches.
This reflects how the Lemuria lineage sees the three arts; other schools describe them differently.
04Glossary
The Tamil terms a Silambam student hears in the first months of training.
Pick up the staff
No experience is needed. Book a place, and the team will call you to confirm where and when the next trial batch meets.
05References
Where the history on this page comes from.
Last reviewed
06Questions
Silambam is the Tamil martial art of the staff, from Tamil Nadu. Practice is built on footwork patterns and continuous spinning, striking and guarding sequences with a bamboo staff called the kambu, and the wider system includes other traditional weapons and an unarmed component, kuttu varisai.
The name is usually traced to the bamboo of the hill country, from which the staff is traditionally cut. The art is named in classical Tamil literature, including the Silappatikaram.
Traditionally, a Silambam staff standing upright reaches about the forehead of the person who wields it. Weight and balance matter too, so ask your instructor before you buy one.
Traditionally bamboo, chosen for being light, strong and slightly flexible. Your instructor will advise on the staff that suits your height and stage of training.
The staff comes first. The wider system includes maankombu (deer horns, also called maduvu), the aruval and the sword, taught once the staff is secure, and an unarmed component called kuttu varisai.
No. Silambam is the Tamil art of the staff; Kalaripayattu is the martial art of Kerala, with its own forms, weapons and marma tradition. The two grew up side by side in the far south of India and share some vocabulary, but they are separate systems.
Silambam trains distance, timing, footwork and awareness, which are the foundations of self-defence. That ability comes from regular, supervised practice over months, not from a few classes.
Ask the team about the class you have in mind. Age requirements are set for each class and camp, a parent or guardian's consent is needed, and training is supervised.
Lemuria VAWO teaches Silambam from Thaikalam, its home ground near Marungoor in Kanyakumari District, with classes listed on the Classes page. Beginners are welcome.
Yes. Lemuria VAWO holds trial classes for students and for masters (asans). Use Book a trial class on this page, and the team will call you to confirm where and when the next trial batch meets.
Wait for your instructor's advice on length and weight first. The Lemuria Shop's buying guide at shop.lemuriavawo.org/guide explains how to choose a staff; check the shop for what is in stock.
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