[1] Originating in modern-day Kerala, a state in southwestern India, it is thought to have existed from as early as the Sangam period.

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.

[3] 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.

[8] The real-time strategy game Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition features an urumi-wielding infantry unit named "Urumi Swordsman".