Silambu

A statue of Kannagi holding a silambu.

The silambu (Tamil: சிலம்பு, Malayalam: ചിലമ്പ്)^{[needs IPA]} is an anklet worn and used in a variety of contexts on the Indian subcontinent.

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]

In dance[]

Nautch performers wore silambu.^[2]

Kandyan dancers may wear silambu.^[4]

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]}

In literature[]

The epic Silappatikaram is structured around the character Kannaki's attempt to sell her silambu, and takes its title from the name of the anklet.^[6]^[7]

In festivals[]

Silambu are sometimes placed on cows' legs during the Pongal festival.^[8]

In religion[]

Shiva in the dancing pose nataraja sometimes wears a silambu on his ankle.^{[citation needed]}

Silambu may be used in Theyyam worship.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery[]

Anklets, Tamil Nadu

Notes[]

^ Jeyaraj 1999, p. 39.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Sambamoorthy 1976, p. 6.
^ Sambamoorthy 1976, p. 23.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Banerji, Projesh (1959). The Folk-Dance of India. Allahabad: Kitabistan. pp. 189–190.
^ Marcuse, Sibyl (1975). "Silambu". Musical Instruments: A Comprehensive Dictionary. New York: Norton. p. 476.
^ 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.

[FOOTNOTEJeyaraj199939-1] Jeyaraj 1999, p. 39.

[FOOTNOTESambamoorthy19766-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b Sambamoorthy 1976, p. 6.

[FOOTNOTESambamoorthy197623-3] Sambamoorthy 1976, p. 23.

[:0-4] Jump up to: ^a ^b Banerji, Projesh (1959). The Folk-Dance of India. Allahabad: Kitabistan. pp. 189–190.

[5] Marcuse, Sibyl (1975). "Silambu". Musical Instruments: A Comprehensive Dictionary. New York: Norton. p. 476.

[6] Chakravarti, A. (1944). Jaina Literature in Tamil. New Delhi: Bhāratīya Jñāpītha. p. 51.

[7] The Śilappadikāram. Translated by Dikshitar, V. R. Ramachandra. Oxford University Press. 1939. p. 1.

[FOOTNOTESambamoorthy197624-8] Sambamoorthy 1976, p. 24.

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