Tamil Nadu school kids create world record in Silambam
82 participants have performed martial art stunts for three hours, non-stop
By : h. zakeer hussain
Update: 2014-08-24 05:41 GMT
Salem: The traditional martial arts of Tamil Nadu - silambam stormed on to the world stage on Saturday as 82 schoolchildren in Salem wielded the silambam stick for three hours non-stop to script a new global record.
At the end of the record-shattering spectacle, the teenagers created a colourful tri-colour and dedicated their unique feat to the country on its 68th year of Independence.
“In the last 65 years, this is the first time that a record number of 82 participants - all below 18 years of age - have performed martial art stunts for three hours, non-stop. So, it has made it to the world records,” said Dr Pradeep Kumar Krishnamurthy, an adjudicator of the United Kingdom-based Elite World Record Company. The silambam sticks were flashed in tune with vibrant, stimulating music.
The 82 students of Jayam Cultural Centre in Salem have been training rigorously for the last three months to take silambam to the world stage, said their chief mentor, G. Nataraj. From 3.10 pm to 6.30 pm the students swung around their silambam staff and enthralled the applauding spectators with martial acrobatics.
Students of Jayam Cultural Centre attempted to do a hat-trick record on Saturday at the Salem Moovendar stadium. Another set of 45 students performed 253 yogasanas for three hours non-stop to enter the Elite Book of World Records. “The earlier record was held by a group of 36 students in Kerala who performed 183 yogasanas in three hours. This record was beaten by the Salem students,” said Dr Krishnamurthy.
A dozen archers strung their bows and shot at a 20 metre range target, aiming to create another record. “However, it is yet to be cleared for records. We are awaiting approval,” said the adjudicator.