Urumi (other)

An urumi is an Indian sword with a flexible, whip-like blade. Originating in modern-day Kerala, a state in southwestern India, it is thought to have existed from as early as the Sangam period.

It is treated as a whip sword, made with special combination of steel and therefore requires prior knowledge of whip as well as the sword. For this reason, the urumi is always taught last in Indian martial arts such as Kalaripayattu.

The word ''urumi'' is used to refer to the weapon in Malayalam. In Kerala, it is also called ''chuttuval'', from the Malayalam words for "coiling," or "spinning," (''chuttu'') and "sword" (''val''). Alternatively, Tamil names for the weapon are ''surul katti'' (coiling knife), ''surul val'' (coiling sword) and ''surul pattakatti'' (coiling machete). In Sinhala, it is known as ethunu kaduwa.

Structure

The urumi hilt is constructed from iron or brass and is identical to that of the '' talwar'', complete with a crossguard and frequently a slender knucklebow. The typical handle is termed a "disc hilt" from the prominent disc-shaped flange surrounding the pommel. The pommel often has a short decorative spike-like protrusion projecting from its centre. The blade is fashioned from flexible edged steel measuring in width. Ideally, the length of the blade should be the same as the wielder's armspan, usually between . Multiple blades are often attached to a single handle. The Sri Lankan variation can have up to 32 blades and is typically dual-wielded, with one in each hand.

Use

The urumi is handled like a flail but requires less strength since the blade combined with centrifugal force is sufficient to inflict injury. As with other "soft" weapons, urumi wielders learn to follow and control the momentum of the blade with each swing, thus techniques include spins and agile manoeuvres. These long-reaching spins make the weapon particularly well suited to fighting against multiple opponents. When not in use, the urumi is worn coiled around the waist like a belt, with the handle at the wearer's side like a conventional sword.

Legacy

A peptide found in the mucus of a South Indian frog is named urumin. This name is inspired from the ''urumi'', since urumin kills the H1N1 flu virus effectively.

In popular culture

Urumi is used as the weapon of Kanroji Mitsuri in Japanese manga series Demon Slayer.

It is used in Microsoft game 'Age of Empires II' by the infantry group called the 'Urumi Swordsman'.

Urumi is a weapon in one of the best-selling video games of all time called Elden Ring, a Japanese-made game. In the game attacks from urumi cannot be parried.

Urumi is the weapon of Nilah, a champion in the game League of Legends, an American-made game.

See also

*Angampora
* Chain whip
*Kalaripayattu
* Silambam

References

{{Indian martial arts

Blade weapons
South Asian swords
Indian swords
Indian melee weapons
Whips