Silambam and Kabaddi shine and unite

BY NATASHA JEE & ALEXANDRA LORNA

KUCHING: The 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024, which recently concluded in Sarawak, transcended mere competition; it served as a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship and unity, uniting athletes from across the nation.

The event not only showcased the country’s rich cultural diversity but also fostered a sense of camaraderie through the participation of athletes in both traditional and modern sports.

A standout feature of the Games was the inclusion of traditional sports like Wushu, Silambam, and Kabaddi. While Wushu has been a consistent presence at SUKMA, Silambam and Kabaddi have been absent for several years due to variations in popularity and participation levels across different states.

Silambam and Kabaddi, deeply rooted in Indian culture, are predominantly practised within the Indian community in Malaysia. However, their reintroduction at this year’s SUKMA signifies a concerted effort to elevate traditional sports to a national platform.

Silambam, an ancient Indian martial art, holds a revered status as a superior form of self-defence among the Tamil people worldwide. Scholars suggest that Silambam dates back over 5,000 years, to prehistoric times predating the Aryan migration to India.

The Malaysia Silambam Association regards Silambam as the world’s oldest form of self-defence. Originally one of the 64 essential arts in traditional Tamil society, Silambam has evolved, becoming more structured and sophisticated to meet contemporary needs and interests.

Introduced to China and Japan by Buddhist monks during the spread of Buddhism, Silambam gained rapid development in the early 16th century, becoming a cornerstone of physical training before the sword in military practices.

The art spread to Southeast Asia between 1,000 and 1,500 years ago, carried by Tamil kings from India who migrated to the region. Tamil workers brought to Malaya by British colonizers in the late 14th century further disseminated Silambam in the area.

Despite facing legal restrictions under Western colonial rule, Silambam persevered, with practitioners clandestinely teaching the art in hidden locales during World War II, notably in Kuala Selangor, Kapar, and Klang.

Today, Silambam enjoys widespread practice across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia, embodying a rich heritage that transcends borders and cultures.

The term ‘silam,’ possibly referring to a hill, combined with ‘bam,’ denoting the bamboo staff used in combat, highlights the art’s origins. Though ‘bam’ and bamboo have no linguistic connection to Tamil, the use of the bamboo staff likely traces back to prehistoric humans defending against wildlife and evolving techniques through intertribal conflicts.

Categories of Silambam

Silambam is categorized into three main types: Sports Silambam, Show Silambam, and War Silambam.

The modern iteration of Silambam, according to the Silambam Porrkalai Council Malaysia, has been predominantly popularized as a form of sports education for school students. Sports Silambam is particularly emphasized among young children.

The game is typically played on a circular court, with rules meticulously crafted to ensure strict safety measures.

Points are earned by merely making contact with the opponent rather than forcefully striking them, drawing parallels to Japan’s Ken-do. However, Silambam leans more towards being a game rather than a traditional martial art.

On the flip side, Show Silambam is often showcased during local festivals and events, involving vibrant ribbons and rings.

Fire Silambam, performed under the night sky accompanied by ethnic drum beats, is especially enchanting, offering a spectacle akin to a circus act that can mesmerize spectators, even inducing a trance-like state.

War Silambam represents the authentic martial art essence of Silambam Porrkalai, encompassing fundamental stick handling, self-defence sequences in partnership, and advanced locking and throwing techniques.

This form prominently showcases a variety of stick rotation techniques and the utilization of weapons such as swords, blades, and knives.

Modern-Day Silambam as Sports and Arts

To safeguard the legacy of Silambam, the Silambam Porrkalai Council Malaysia has collaborated with global experts to establish standardized rules and regulations.

This modernized version of Silambam has evolved to cater to contemporary times, transforming into both a sport and an art form.

Presently, it is widely taught in schools and community centres across Malaysia, with the endorsement of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Furthermore, state, national, and international Silambam federations have been formed, organizing annual competitions within Malaysia and globally to nurture the expansion and acknowledgement of this ancient martial art in the modern era.

Silambam in Malaysia

The year 1976 marked a pivotal juncture for Silambam in Malaysia when the Malaysian Parliament enacted legislation to restructure and register all self-defence organizations in the country.

During that period, Silambam lacked formal governance by any individual or organization. However, with the encouragement of the late Grandmaster S. Arumugam and the devoted efforts of the Honourable Datuk V. L. Kandan, the Youth Chief of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) at the time, the Malaysian Silambam Association was officially registered on February 22, 1977.

Subsequently, the association was registered under the Sports Development Act 1997 on October 27, 2002. Presently, the Malaysian Silambam Association comprises 13 state affiliates and three affiliates in the Federal Territories of Malaysia.

Silambam in Sarawak

Established in 2013, the Sarawak Silambam Association aimed to assemble a state Silambam team to compete in the SUKMA of that year.

The 2013 SUKMA saw the participation of the Sarawak team, consisting of nine players – five males and four females, with six of Indian descent.

Since then, the association has concentrated on revitalizing and expanding Silambam in Sarawak.

This year, with support from the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), National Sports Council (NSC) Sarawak, and committed volunteers like Rodzil Hashim, the Sarawak Silambam Association successfully recruited over 40 athletes for training and competition in Silambam.

Among these athletes, 18 of the most skilled – nine males and nine females – were chosen to represent Sarawak in 14 individual and team categories.

Kabaddi in Malaysia

Kabaddi was brought to Malaysia by Indian immigrants during the British colonial era, swiftly garnering a following, especially within the Indian diaspora. The Malaysian Amateur Kabaddi Federation (MAKF), established in 1993, has been pivotal in advocating for the sport nationwide, organizing competitions, and nurturing local talent. The game has thrived in Malaysian states with substantial Indian communities like Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang. Its inclusion in the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in 2002 marked a significant milestone in its evolution as a competitive sport in the country. Initially dominated by states with established Indian populations, the game has now expanded its reach, with more states such as Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Sarawak, and Sabah actively participating.

The Rules of Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a game played between two teams, each comprising seven players. The match unfolds on a rectangular court split into two halves. A “raider” from one team ventures into the opposing team’s half, striving to tag as many opponents as possible and return to their side without being caught. The raider must continuously chant “kabaddi, kabaddi” to prove they are not inhaling and cannot pause to rest. Defenders, known as “antis,” endeavour to tackle the raider to impede their return. Points are earned through successful tags and tackles, with the team accumulating the most points by the match’s end emerging victorious. Kabaddi comes in various formats, including the Standard Style played on a rectangular court and the Circle Style, prevalent in rural areas and regions, which is played on a circular field.

Players competing in Kabaddi. Illustration: Varghese Kallada

Kabaddi in Sarawak

The Sarawak Kabaddi Association (SKA) plays a crucial role in promoting the sport in the state, arranging local tournaments, coaching clinics, and training sessions. Sarawak teams have actively engaged in national-level competitions such as the Malaysian Kabaddi League and the National Inter-State Kabaddi Championships, orchestrated by the Malaysia Kabaddi Federation (MKF). Exceptional players from Sarawak have the chance to be selected for national teams, fostering further interest and dedication to the sport. While the Indian community in Sarawak, notably in Kuching, Miri, and Sibu, has been instrumental in propelling Kabaddi, the sport is also gaining traction among other ethnic communities like the Malays, Chinese, and indigenous groups such as the Iban and Bidayuh. Through persistent efforts from state associations, local communities, and governmental bodies, Kabaddi is poised for further growth in Sarawak. By leveraging cultural events, enhancing local participation, and cultivating a network of fervent players and supporters, the sport can firmly establish itself in the state.

Growth and Significance of Silambam and Kabaddi in SUKMA

The inclusion of Silambam and Kabaddi in SUKMA has provided a pivotal platform for young Malaysian athletes to exhibit their skills and compete at the national level, nurturing new talent and encouraging broader participation in these traditional sports. Numerous athletes who kickstarted their careers at SUKMA have progressed to represent Malaysia in international tournaments such as the Asian Games and the Kabaddi World Cup. By incorporating Silambam and Kabaddi, SUKMA has not only championed traditional and indigenous sports but has also contributed to Malaysia’s multicultural identity and promoted inclusivity in sports.