Recently, an Indian named Ganesan Sandhirakasan has won the top prize in a government-initiated competition for migrant workers in Singapore for his performance of Silambam.
About
Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art originating in South India in the Indian subcontinent.
This style is mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature.
The World Silambam Association is the official international body of Silambam.
References in the Silappadikkaram and other works of the Sangam literature show that Silambam has been practiced since at least the 4th century BC.
The term silambambu referred to a particular type of bamboo from the Kurinjimala (kurinji hills) in present-day Kerala.
Thus silambam was named after its primary weapon, the bamboo staff.
It may have earlier used for self-defense and to ward off animals in the Kurinji hills and later evolved into the present-day martial art.
The ancient city of Madurai formed as the point of focus of Silambam's spreading.
The Silambam staff was acquired by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and was spread back to the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.