TRADITIONAL GAMES

TRADITIONAL GAMES P. SRINIDHI, IV th “C”

TRADITIONAL GAMES • Traditional Games were not just games; they were designed in such a way that one can develop lot of skills like logical thinking, building strategy, concentration, basic mathematics, aiming, and lot more. Nowadays we develop these skills by paying money to centers that conduct personal development courses.Traditional Games act as learning aids. They teach us many things while playing like to learn to win and lose, develop sensory skills, count, add, improve motor skills, identify color, improve hand-eye co-ordination and finally to have fun, naturally one play or watch a game to have fun. • The values that we achieve by playing these games are more when compared to the games that we play nowadays. Some of the values that we gain are that they are environment friendly, we get a chance to learn about our culture and history, and an important thing is, it is suitable for all ages, so they increase the interaction between generations. Many modern games played around the world have their origin in these traditional games this is a pride to our country's culture

CHATURANGAM The game of chess originated in India in the 6th century. Chess comprises of three animals- horse, camel and elephant, knight, bishop and rook in chess. Chess game has spread throughout the world and their name derived from the Sanskrit game Chaturanga. Chathurangam is the ancient form of chess that we play now. With 64 squares on the board and many coins as bishop, chariot, king, etc. the game is played till one opponent checkmates the other to win the game.

PACHISI It is a board game that originated in ancient India. The name of the game ‘Pachisi’ has come from a Hindi word pachis, meaning twenty-five. The name of the game is also called Twenty five, as the largest score that can be thrown with the cowrie shells. The game is played between four players, divided into two teams. Players play with four beehive-shaped pieces in the color of black, red, yellow and green.

PALLANGULI Pallanguli is played in the southern India. It is called the gambling game by men. The board has 14 cups with each player controlling seven. In each cup six seeds are placed. To play the game, players lift the seeds and distribute one seed in each hole. If the seeds are finished, the player goes on to his opponent’s side of the board. If the seed fall into a cup with an empty cup beyond, the seeds in the cup beyond the empty hole are captured by the player and put into his store. .

KABADDI In Kabaddi, two teams compete with each other for higher scores, by touching or capturing the players of the opponent team. Each team consists of 12 players, of which seven are on court at a time, and five in reserve. The two teams fight for higher scores, alternating defence and offense. The court is as large as that for a dodge ball game. The game consists of two 20 minute halves, with a break of five minutes for change of sides. The kabaddi playing area is 12.50m x 10m, divided by a line into two halves. The side winning the toss sends a 'raider', who enters the opponents' court chanting, 'kabaddi-kabaddi'. The raider's aim is to touch any or all players on the opposing side, and return to his court in one breath

KHO-KHO • Kho-Kho ranks as one of the most popular traditional sports in India. The origin of Kho-Kho is difficult to trace, but many historians believe, that it is a modified form of 'Run Chase', which in its simplest form involves chasing and touching a person. With its origins in Maharashtra, Kho-Kho in ancient times, was played on 'raths' or chariots, and was known as Rathera. Like all Indian games, it is simple, inexpensive and enjoyable. It does, however, demand physical fitness, strength, speed and stamina, and a certain amount of ability. Dodging, feinting and bursts of controlled speed make this game quite thrilling. To catch by pursuit - to chase, rather than just run - is the capstone of Kho-Kho.The game develops qualities such as obedience, discipline, sportsmanship, and loyalty between team members

BOAT RACE The grand festival of Onam, is celebrated with great zest, in the picturesque state of Kerala, in the Malayalam month of Chingam. The most exciting part of this festival is the snake boat race, held at various places in the state, on the palm - fringed waters. The boats used in this thrilling contest of Vallamkali(boat race), are kite - tailed, and rather swan - shaped. The most spectacular of the boat races, are those held at Aranmula, Champakulam and Kottayam

Moksha-Patamu(Snake and ladders) This ancient race game, like Pachisi, originated in India although the author isn't sure when. It is a game of morality with the bases of the ladders being located on squares representing various types of good and the more numerous snakes coming from squares representing various forms of evil. The squares of virtue on the original game are Faith (12), Reliability (51), Generosity (57), Knowledge (76), Asceticism (78); the squares of evil are Disobedience (41), Vanity (44), Vulgarity (49), Theft (52), Lying (58), Drunkenness (62), Debt (69), Rage (84), Greed (92), Pride (95), Murder (73) and Lust (99). The game is Hindu and was used to teach children about the religion in that the good squares allow a player to ascend higher in the league of life whereas evil will reduce a player back through reincarnation to lower tiers of life. Presumably the last square, 100, represents Nirvana.

CHAUKA BARA Chauka Bara is a 'Race Game' where in two to four players race their respective coins on a board of 5x5 squares to reach the inner most square. The movement of coins is controlled by throw of four cowrie shells, hence it is a game of chance. Since each player has four coins, he can decide which coin to move, hence it also comes under strategical games. This game is called by various names in different languages in different regions. Chauka Bara - Kannada - Mysururegion,Katte Mane - Kannada - Rural Mysuru AshtaChemma - Telugu,Daayam - Tamil,Kavidi Kali - Malayalam - Kerala

MALLAKHAMB Mallakhamb is an ancient traditional Indian sport. 'Malla' means gymnast, and 'khamb' means pole. Thus, the name 'Mallakhamb' stands for 'a gymnast's pole'. The origin of Mallakhamb can be traced to the 12th century, where it is mentioned in Manas-Olhas - a classic by Chalukya in 1135 A.D. For seven centuries, the art lay dormant, till it was revived by Balambhatta Dada Deodhar, the sports and fitness instructor to PeshwaBajirao II, who reigned during the first half of the 19th century. The apparently simple 'khamb' does not reveal the complexities of the exercises, which require the performer to turn, twist, stretch and balance on the pole. It is this consummate grace, this agility, dexterity and suppleness of body, combined with quick reflexes, muscle coordination and sense of timing, that single out this game as special. Of the states in India, more than 14 participate in Mallakhamb competitions at the national level.

GILLI DANDA GilliDanda or GuliDanda is a very popular game among the children of India. It is played all over the country and can be enjoyed for hours together. Most Indianadults would remember having played gillidanda with their friends in the neighbourhood. To play this game, you need a long stick, and a short stick with tapered ends. The long stick is used to flick the short gilli into the air, and then hit to travel to a maximum distance. The opposing team here has to try and catch the gilli. That gets the hitter out. Also, if the hitter misses the gilli thrice, he loses. The hitter's score is measured by the distance from the place where he hit the gilli and the place it landed, measured by the danda.

LAGORI Seven Stones is a traditional Indian game, boasting of a special place in the Indian Culture, spread over a wide region even today. It is also called as Lagori ,saat-pathar (seven stones), pittu and several other names, is the most complex popular children’s game in India, and is rather like Dodge ball, but more aggressive. Things Needed to play: A Ball: Tennis or the rubber kinds. 7 stones: If not, suitable substitutes. Minimum 2 players in each team. But it is much more fun with a lot more

SILAMBAM SILAMBAM is a traditional stick martial art from South India. South India has a rich culture of many thousands years, at least inheritated since the Dravidian empires. he Pandya kings ruling in Tamil Nadu promoted Silambam fencing, as did their Chola and Chera counterparts. Silapathiharam Tamil literature, dating back to 2nd century A.D., refers to the sale of silamabam staves, swords, pearls and armour to foreign traders. The ancient trading centre at Madurai city, renowned globally, was said to be thronged by Romans, Greeks, Egyptians among others who had regular sea trade with the ancient Dravidian kings. The silambam staff was one of the martial art weapons, that was in great demand with the visitors.

CHECKERS Checkers board game is an ideal entertainer with which you can storm your brains and spend some memorable time with family and friends. It is an abstract strategy mind game between two players that involves diagonal moves of uniform pieces and mandatory captures by jumping over the enemy's pieces. What makes this handcrafted traditional board game remarkable is the finely carved and decorated wooden board and the shaded pieces.

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TRADITIONAL GAMES