Why Child Enrollment in Tamil Nadu’s Silambam Program Is Growing

India continues to lag behind several Asian nations, such as China, Thailand, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia, where martial arts have gained popularity. Although the martial arts are deeply ingrained in the traditions of these and many other nations, India is not a country where they have received much attention. That does not imply that our martial arts are obsolete. Despite being among the earliest martial arts styles still in use, Kalaripayattu from Kerala and Silambam from Tamil Nadu are still little known to everyone, save their practitioners.

In Tamil Nadu, government employment under the sports quota is freely accessible to practitioners of silambam, in an effort to raise awareness of the activity. In addition to being a useful self-defense technique, silambam, a stick- or staff-based martial art, is also an excellent activity for improving muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness. Given that Silambam does not include high spinning kicks or intricate footwork like Taekwondo, even a very healthy 60-year-old may begin studying the discipline.

There is now a discernible increase in Silambam sports training programs in several Tamil Nadu districts. The public’s enthusiasm in supporting and promoting traditional sports that are in risk of extinction is also expanding at the same time. The Villupuram community has explained to Local18 why they send their kids to study Silambam.

There are several advantages to enrolling kids in Silambam training sessions, since it strengthens their mental and physical abilities. Youngsters become proficient in a variety of activities with the right instruction. They also learn how to work more carefully and precisely, which enhances total body function.

Apart from its health and psychological advantages, Silambam creates opportunities for government jobs. Growing numbers of parents are aware of this and want to prepare their kids for it. Learning Silambam instills discipline and provides a technique of self-defense against any dangers, especially for females. In general, parents stress the value of transferring our traditional arts to the next generation in order to preserve them.