Surul Pattai
Encyclopedia
Surul Pattai is a long sword made of flexible thin steel blades, sharp enough to cut into flesh, but flexible enough to be rolled into a tight coil. It is three-quarters to one inch in width, and is usually about four or five and a half feet in length. The Surul Pattai has a small handle with a cover. It can also be considered like a steel whip.
Another name for this weapon in Tamil
is Surul Val. It was used and still can be found in south India. This weapon is used in the martial arts of Varma Kalai and Kuttu Varisai. It is also used in the martial art of Kerala known as Kalarippayattu. In the Malayalam it is called the Urumi
as per the Northern Kerala
System of Kalaripayattu and Chuttuval in the Southern Kerala
System. The word Chuttuval is derived from the Malayalam words Chuttu (turn/spin) and Val (sword) and means 'Spinning Sword', which is the description of the way the sword is maneuvered by the swordsman in combat.
Flexibility and skill are more important to master the weapon than strength or aggression. Twirling and controlling the surul pattai is a difficult and dangerous art. Improper handling of the Surul Pattai could result in permanent injuries to the user. Therefore, great concentration is required during use even from experts. The Surul Pattai is most useful to a warrior when he is alone and has to fight multiple opponents. It can be worn like a waist belt and therefore can be carried inconspicuously and without great inconvenience.
Another name for this weapon in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
is Surul Val. It was used and still can be found in south India. This weapon is used in the martial arts of Varma Kalai and Kuttu Varisai. It is also used in the martial art of Kerala known as Kalarippayattu. In the Malayalam it is called the Urumi
Urumi
The urumi is a long sword made of flexible steel, sharp enough to cut into flesh, but flexible enough to be rolled into a tight coil. Originating in South India, it was most popular in the North Malabar Coast of Kerala and is often mentioned in the ballads of the region.In kalaripayat, the urumi...
as per the Northern Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
System of Kalaripayattu and Chuttuval in the Southern Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
System. The word Chuttuval is derived from the Malayalam words Chuttu (turn/spin) and Val (sword) and means 'Spinning Sword', which is the description of the way the sword is maneuvered by the swordsman in combat.
Flexibility and skill are more important to master the weapon than strength or aggression. Twirling and controlling the surul pattai is a difficult and dangerous art. Improper handling of the Surul Pattai could result in permanent injuries to the user. Therefore, great concentration is required during use even from experts. The Surul Pattai is most useful to a warrior when he is alone and has to fight multiple opponents. It can be worn like a waist belt and therefore can be carried inconspicuously and without great inconvenience.