Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art from Tamil Nadu. It is also traditionally practised by the Tamil community of Sri Lanka and Malaysia and is closely related to Keralan Kalaripayatu. It derives from the Tamil word silam meaning hill and the Kannada word bambu from which the English bamboo originates. The term silambambu referred to a particular type of bamboo from the Kurinji hills in present-day Kerala. Thus, silambam was named after its primary weapon, the bamboo staff. Oral folklore traces silambam back several thousand years to the Agastya. While on his way to Vellimalai, Agastya discussed Hindu philosophy with an old man he met, said to be the God Murugan in disguise. The old man taught him the method of Silambam. Agastya practiced this method and eventually compiled three texts on palm leaves based on the God's teachings. References in the Silappadikkaram and other works of Sangam literature shows that silambam has been practiced as far back as the 2nd Century BC. The soldiers of Kings Puli Thevar, Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Maruthu Pandiyar relied mainly on their silambam prowess in their warfare against the British Army. Indian martial arts suffered a decline after the British colonists banned silambam along with various other systems. The ban was lifted after India achieved independence. Today, silambam is the most famous and widely practiced Indian martial art in India and Malaysia where demonstrations are held for cultural shows. In subsequent decades silambam has featured in Tamil films as well.