As old as India is, as old as are its games going on since the ancient times
As old as India has been standing, old are its traditions and cultures. Along with that, there are traditional Indian games that have long been associated with Indians and just like other things these games are also an integral part of Indian culture and heritage. While there was a time when children in India only played games passed on to them by their elders involving social interaction, today children are more glued to their screens playing virtually. Traditional games like Pallanguzi, Lippa, Kabaddi, Gilli-danda have been completely forgotten. So here we are reviving the traditional Indian games.
Chaupar or Pachisi It is a board game that has been quite popular in the ancient India as you can find the mention of this game on the epic tale of Mahabharata. In fact, Akbar and his descendants also played this game. This is a game involving two to four players strategizing their pawn’s moves on a piece of cloth designed in the shape of a symmetrical cross to win the game.
Kabaddi It is an outdoor game and is played without any gear or equipment. It is purely based on the strength and strategy of the players. It is played between two teams involving a single player from each team trying to touch down and break into the area of the opponent team. The player who has gone to the other side has to touch as many players of the opposite team while reaching the line and all of while humming ‘kabaddi.
Kho-kho Another outdoor team sport, Kho Kho has been popular in schools among kids for its simplicity and fun. Involving two teams, one team sits in alternating directions while the other team runs around them. The aim of the sitting team is to catch as many from the running team. It’s a sport requiring strategy and presence of mind.
Lakhoti or Kancha Played with marbles, also known as kancha, lakhoti golli or goti, this game is played by trying to strike a particular marble amidst many, using another marble. Interesting is the way the striker marble is held between the middle fingers of one hand and pulled by another before release.
Pallankuzhi This too is one of the ancient games, but mostly played in the South India. It actually is said to be originated from Tamil Nadu, consisting of a rectangular board with two horizontal columns and seven vertical columns in each horizontal column, making for a total of 14 cups like columns. Cowry shells or tamarind seeds were used to play this game.
