Scaling new heights!

Young folk artiste Thangapandian wants to revive the Mallar Kambam, an ancient form of gymnastics, by taking it to school children

School children performing Mallar Kambam. Photo: S. James

On a Saturday morning, a group of five middle-school boys gather under the sun. After 15-minutes of warming up exercises, they drag an eight-feet wooden pole to the ground. Thirteen-year-old Prabhakaran applies oil on the pole and smears some powder on his hands and feet. He salutes the pole as per tradition and leaps on to it upside down. Entwining his legs around the pole, he moves up swiftly with his head down. It is an amazing and effortless climb to the top in seconds. Vanaraja, Sivalingam, Picha Kalai and Vikram, all of them students of Government School, Anaiyur, follow suit. The four boys hop on to the pole, twisting their bodies with ease, anchoring themselves at any given angle and height and hang down like arboreal beings. While the audience gape at them in awe, the bony boys exhibit Yogasanas while still balancing on the pole! After performing a dozen asanas, they end the show by forming a pyramid.

“That’s Mallar Kambam ,” announces 30-year-old Thangapanadian, the coach. A native of Anaiyur, he formed the ‘Tamilar Panpaatu Kalai Kuzhumam’ seven years ago and has been teaching underprivileged rural children folk art forms free of cost. Along with Oyilattam, Thappu and Parai, Karagam, Poi-kaal Kuthirai and Mayilattam, Thangapandiyan focuses on Silambam and recently has ventured into teaching Mallar Kambam , an ancient form of gymnastics. All he takes from the students is a Guru dakshina of Rs.11 every year. “Folk art is dying a slow death today and I want to keep it alive,” he says, “and the best way of doing it is taking the arts to the next generation.

Mallar Kayiru , is gymnastics performed on a rope instead of a pole and is pursued by girls or women primarily. Thangapandian has also trained 10 girls from Anaiyur Village in the art. “Initially for practice the children are encouraged to climb tall trees and trained to hang down from a 20-feet long rope. It quells the fear of heights and helps improve concentration,” he says.

Learning or performing

Mallar Kambam is a rigorous process involving strict exercise routines. People who are obese and overweight need to undergo weight-reduction before trying it. A mix of aerobics and weight training is given prior to the performance. It is said to help in regularising breathing and blood circulation, apart from improving bone and muscle health. Thangapandian, who learnt it from a master in Villupuram says that it is easier for children as they can easily mould their muscles and joints. His first set of 12 boys from Anaiyur has learnt the art in less than a month. They also gave their first performance at Kadambavanam last month. Thangapandian who has given performances at various events in Malayasia, Singapore and Mauritius aims to train more children in folk arts.

“Traditionally the pole is bathed in oil and it is even more challenging as people slip and fall sometimes. Regular practise improves the grip and muscle strength,” he says. Eighth grade student Prabhakaran fell numerous times during practise but it did not deter him from pursing the art. “I learnt it with a vengeance and I am happy that I have mastered it,” says the boy. Vikram, pursuing B.A. in English at Yadava Men’s College, says, “When I am seated atop the pole and hear people applaud, I feel like being on top of the world.” The boys played Kabbadi and Silambam regularly to tone muscles and improve flexibility of joints.

Similar to Silambam which is a Dravidian martial art,

Mallar kambam is said to have evolved thousands of years ago. Thangapandian, a Diploma holder in Folk art and music from Government Music College Pasumalai, says that

Mallar Kambam was popularised by the Pallava Kings of Kanchipuram. “It was pursued as a technique to keep the body in shape and flexible, especially as a preparation for warfare. When there was no battle or war, the kings and warriors engaged themselves in practising gymnastics.

Mallar Kambam and Silambam are closely connected and inter-dependent,” he says. “Later, it became a folk performance art and shows were staged during temple festivals in villages. It was also conducted as a sport and competition.”

Weekend classes of Silambam and Mallar Kambam are conducted near Pandi Koil on the Ring Road. Those interested may contact 7092856690