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Photo: K. Ganesan

Glorifying Aiming high

Undoubtedly, martial art catapults an ordinary cine actor into an action hero. But all they do are on-screen fantasies. The art that the film reel showcases has nothing to do with real life situation. In contrast, we have in our own city of Madurai, M. Shahul Hameed, who is not just a reel but a real hero.

He has made to headlines for winning the National Championship in Silambam thrice, the honourable award of ‘Kalai Valar Mani’ from the State Government for promoting Tamil culture and art across the world and several Best-Physique titles. He is popular among Maduraites for running an institute exclusively for Martial arts that offers training in Gymnasium, Yoga-asana and Silambam.

Now with the blessings and encouragement of former President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, this young master has once again come to limelight by releasing an extensive film “Indian Martial art-Silambam.” A team of young combatants from the age of nine to 60 years have performed in front of the camera. It is more like a docu-drama with original martial artists demonstrating Silambam techniques. Cute Mumthika Asini, an under ten district champion begins the scene with a stunning performance. World champion S.Sheik Ibrahimsa, national champion G. Kalaiselvi, and Mr.Shahul Hameed put on display their individual talents in stick rotation. In connection different techniques are played by two teams of both male and female heroes.

The film brings to light that besides stick- techniques, Silambam has got various other mechanisms.

Deer horn rotations, Pillar Silambam, Curled Sword rotations, Stick and Horn, Shield and Sword, Ribbon Silambam, Tiger, Fire Silambam and a number of innovative tactics in indigenous mode are also put to use.

The multifaceted nature of the art is vividly portrayed through risky formations. Bare hand techniques called ‘Kuthu Varsuai’ executed by State player Usman and the filmmaker are fabulous. This is what is called ‘Katas’ in Karatae of Japan, explains the maker who aims at propagating the Indian Martial art- Silambam all over the world.

“Not a mere cultural development but a part of revolution” says Padhmashri Kamal Hasan, who appears in the film with whole hearted appreciation for the Simashans’ effort, instilling inspiration into the minds of the viewers.

Background score by R.Prabakar adds velocity to the power-packed visual treat and Uma Chandra Mohan is slick with his camera and montage. The film is not only entertaining but also educative, as the historical-cum-literary magnitude of the native sport, the re-creative aspects and features of the instruments used while performing the cultural art are presented with figure in details.

“This film is India’s first extensive demo to highlight the significance of the Silambam art” confidently says the film maker.

“In 2009 we are collaborating with another mega foreign production ‘How to Learn Silambam’ and in 2010 Common Wealth Games which is to be held at New Delhi, we are aiming toward performing a Silambam demo.” To know more about the film, contact: +91-94433 21925, or visit : www.simashan.org

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