Kai silambam ( lit. hand silambam ) is the unarmed component of silambam, also known as kuttu varisai ( Tamil தமிழ் : குத்துவரிசை ). First attested to in Sangam literature during period 2 B.C.E to 1 B.C.E

The term translates as “flow of punches/boxing”, from kuttu meaning punch and varisai meaning order. Techniques incorporate striking, grappling, throws and locks. Like many other Asian martial arts, patterns in kuttu varisai make use of animal-based sets including the tiger, snake, elephant, eagle and monkey forms. Advanced students are taught varma ati or the art of attacking pressure points.