Aruval
Encyclopedia
An aruval is an Indian machete variety, particularly seen in South India
. These evolved independently from the Billhook
s of Europe and the British Isles and are usually produced by local blacksmiths using discarded leaf spring
s 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.
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 coconut
s 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.
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.
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. These evolved independently from the Billhook
Billhook
The billhook is a traditional cutting tool known and used throughout the world, and very common in the wine-growing countries of Europe, used widely in agriculture and forestry The billhook (also bill hook – although this more usually refers to either a metal or plastic hook used to hold bills,...
s of Europe and the British Isles and are usually produced by local blacksmiths using discarded leaf spring
Leaf spring
Originally called laminated or carriage spring, a leaf spring is a simple form of spring, commonly used for the suspension in wheeled vehicles...
s 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
Neem
Azadirachta indica is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to India growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil...
or Acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
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.
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 coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
s 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.
Types Of Aruval
- Kathir aruval - Used by farmers for harvesting the crops.
- Veecharival - Used for cutting the woods,defending ourselves and to cut coconut. The Aruvals that were used in combat may reach a length of 3 – 4 feet.
Some aruval are worshipped by Tamils
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
as they are weapons of the Kaval Deivams and these can be of lengths up to 6 feet.
See also
- Kaval Deivam
- Madurai Veeran
- AyyanarAyyanarAyyanar is a Hindu village god, worshipped predominantly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Tamil villages in Sri Lanka. He is primarily worshipped as a guardian deity who protects the rural villages...
- Karuppu SamiKaruppu SamiKaruppu Sami is one of the regional Tamil male deities who is popular among the rural social groups of South India, especially Tamil Nadu and small parts of Kerala...
- MacheteMacheteThe machete is a large cleaver-like cutting tool. The blade is typically long and usually under thick. In the English language, an equivalent term is matchet, though it is less commonly known...
- BillhookBillhookThe billhook is a traditional cutting tool known and used throughout the world, and very common in the wine-growing countries of Europe, used widely in agriculture and forestry The billhook (also bill hook – although this more usually refers to either a metal or plastic hook used to hold bills,...