Silambu
Silambu (
Etymology
According to Jeyaraj, the word 'silambu' is derived from the verb 'silambal', meaning 'to make sound'.[1]
Description
The silambu is a hollow anklet filled with beads that produce noise when the wearer moves or dances.[2] It may be worn on the ankle or the leg. When worn on the leg, it is termed kālchilambu in Tamil.[3]
Some varieties of silambu are made of copper and use iron balls to produce sound.[4] Others are made of silver.[5]
Importance
In dance
Nautch performers wore silambu.[2] Kandyan dancers may wear silambu.[4]
In art and literature
Shiva in his dancing pose nataraja sometimes wears a silambu on his ankle.[citation needed]
The epic
In religion and rituals
Silambu are sometimes placed on cows' legs during the Pongal festival.[8] In Tamil Nadu, a traditional dance called kai silambu aatam is performed in temples during Amman festivals in which the dancers wear or hold silambus in their hands, which make noise when shaken.[citation needed]
Silambu is also used in ritual dance performances of southern India, such as the Theyyam of Malabar region and the Buta Kola of Tulu Nadu region.
See also
Notes
- ^ Jeyaraj 1999, p. 39.
- ^ a b Sambamoorthy 1976, p. 6.
- ^ Sambamoorthy 1976, p. 23.
- ^ a b Banerji, Projesh (1959). The Folk-Dance of India. Allahabad: Kitabistan. pp. 189–190.
- ISBN 9780393007589.
- ^ Chakravarti, A. (1944). Jaina Literature in Tamil. New Delhi: Bhāratīya Jñāpītha. p. 51.
- ^ The Śilappadikāram. Translated by Dikshitar, V. R. Ramachandra. Oxford University Press. 1939. p. 1.
- ^ Sambamoorthy 1976, p. 24.
Sources
- Jeyaraj, V. (1999). "Analysis of a Bronze Anklet from Kerala". Museum's Journal. Government Museum, Chennai.
- Sambamoorthy, P. (1976). Catalogue of Musical Instruments Exhibited in the Government Museum, Chennai. Chennai: Principal Commissioner of Museums, Government Museum.