| Aruval | |
|---|---|
The Famous Thirupatchi Aruval |
|
| Type | Machete |
| Place of origin | Tamil Nadu & Kerala |
| Service history | |
| Used by | some gods |
An aruval (Tamil: அருவாள்]]) is an Indian machete variety, particularly seen in South India. These evolved independently from the Billhooks of Europe and the British Isles and are usually produced by local blacksmiths using discarded leaf springs of trucks and other heavy vehicles resulting in a strong but easy to sharpen blade, though the common usages of this tool don't call for a razor edge. The top, curved section does two things: the pointed hook makes it easier to use it as a grabbing tool and the curve adds more mass to the "sweet spot," requiring less force and making both heavy and fine chopping work easier. Sometimes, the blade close to the handle is kept razor-sharp so it can double usage as a knife for fine slicing and dicing. The tang in the short-handled aruvals is usually full-length rat-tail and handles are usually round, made with wood from Neem or Acacia species. Aruvals with longer handles rarely have full tangs and are usually used by farmers to chop grasses or harvest grains as the longer handles make it easier to work from an upright position. The Aruval is a very significant weapon in Tamil Nadu and is considered, in itself, as a symbol of Karuppanar himself. Some Aruvals may reach the height of even 5 feet, especially the ones in Thiruppaachhi.
This Battle Weapon is particularly seen in Southern India. The blade of this weapon originates at the grip and extends to the main part of the blade. You can describe it as a sickle with an extension. You can also think of it as a Sword with a reverse curve. The shorter versions were handy for breaking apart coconuts, and the longer versions were more like Battle Weapons. The shorter version is usually seen in small villages.
Farmers used a variation called the Kathir Aruval when they were out picking crops. Another variation called the Veecharival was used for Self Defense and clearing out brush, like a back hoe as well as cutting and chopping up coconuts. The Aruvals that were employed and used on the battle field were as long as three to four feet.
The Most Important musical Instrument Which like by God karuppanan are Tappu, Tharai, kombu Tharai, Otha thamukku, Pambai, Udukkai and Urumee.
It is unique in the fact that the blade starts from the grip to the main cutting part, more like an extended sickle. In effect it is a reverse curved sword and does not fall specifically under the categories of a sword or an axe. It is useful in slicing coconuts when it is shorter in length and sometimes in harming people when it is longer. The shorter aruval used for cutting coconuts can mainly be found in small villages of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Aruvals are also heavily depicted in Tamil movies as the weapon of choice for gangsters compared with guns in Western cinema. Aruvals are normally hidden behind the neck and run along the back of the carrier and unveiled by pulling it out using its handle by extending one's hand behind one's head.
Types Of Aruval
Some aruval are worshipped by Tamils as they are weapons of the Kaval Deivams and these can be of lengths up to 6 feet.