Valari

This article is about the weapon. For the villages in Romania, see Vălari (disambiguation). For the 1970s compact car, see Plymouth Volaré.
International Valari Federation (IVF)
TypeThrowing club
Place of originSivaganga, Tamil Nadu, India
Service history
Used byIndia
Production history
Variantswww.valari.org

A valari (Tamil: வளரி) is a traditional weapon, primarily used by the Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent.[1] The valari resembles, and is used similar to a boomerang or throwing club. It was used by the Tamil people in ancient battles, for protecting cattle from predators, and for hunting. The British called valari "collery-sticks" after the Kallar caste that used them.[2] Kallar favourite weapon is the Valaithadi or a curved, short and thick stick, hike the boomerang. [3]

The valari has a long history, dating back to pre-historic times. Valaris are described in the Tamil Sangam Purananuru: a historical version of the Sangam literature, the Purananuru 233rd Poem, mentions the thigri or valari. Weapons similar to this were also called Valaithadi, Tigiri, Paravallai, Cuḻalpaṭai, Kallartadi and Pataivattam.[citation needed]

The techniques and philosophies of valari are long periods of interaction with Tamil (India) peoples, cultures, and Traditional Arts. Valari is a synthesis of the game which is played in various methods with same name. Valari received international exposure from 2018 onwards, demonstrated and played in various states of India. In 2018, the International Valari Federation (IVF) came into existence and compiled standard rules. After formation of the International Valari Federation (IVF), the 1st National Valari Championship were held in Vellore on 16 December 2018, 2nd National Valari Championship were held in Lucknow, UP on 27 October 2019 and 3rd National Valari Championship were held in Chennai on 14 March 2021. The International Valari Federation (IVF) has given new shape to the rules and has the right to modify them.

  1. ^ Thurston, Edgar (2001) [First printed in 1909 by Madras Government Press]. "Kallan". Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. III (Fourth AES reprint ed.). New Delhi: J. Jetley. p. 70. ISBN 978-81-206-0288-5. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  2. ^ Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words And Phrases. 2018.
  3. ^ Madura - A Tourist's Guide. 1913.