AN ANCIENT MARTIAL ART originating from the Kurinji mountains in Tamil Nadu 5,000 years ago, Silambam is said to have arrived on the shores of the Malay Peninsula as early as the 14th century, and up till the 19th and 20th centuries under British colonial rule, when there was a surge of migration of Tamil workers brought in to work the plantations.
Traditionally, Silambam was practised by warriors to promote agility, coordination and discipline. With its intricate footwork, complex movements and rhythmic strikes, Silambam became a means of cultivating both physical prowess and mental fortitude.
