By Sowmya Alagarsamy
Not only Indian traditions, but the traditional games of India also hold great value globally. A lot of traditional Indian games have a history associated with it. Most of the Indian games have not only helped children in terms of physical and mental development but also have taught them how to cope with failure.
1. Ghilli
Ghilli, being prominently played in India, is a game where a player uses a long stick on a short one that is lying in the ground to make it fly and once the short sticks come in contact with the air, the player hits it with the long one and the opponent players try to catch the short one. If the opponents catch the short one, the player is considered out. Cricket is considered to be the modern equivalent of Ghilli, because of the similarities between both the games.
Photo Credits: Hindustan Times
2. Paramapadham
Paramapadham, known by different names in India, is similar to snakes and ladders. In this game, the players move their tokens on the board based on the number they get by rolling the dice. Snakes are considered obstacles, ladders are considered rewards and the player who reaches the 100th square first, which is located in the top row of the board, is considered the winner of the game. Researchers have found that this game enhances cognitive development among children.
Photo Credits: Thugil.com
3. Nondi or Paandi Attam
Nondi or Paandi Attam is a popular game played among children in India, where children throw a stone on the numbered boxes that are drawn on the floor and hop to the box that has the stone. The rule of the game is that the player should hop to the box without touching the lines or edges of the box simultaneously, not losing the balance of their body. This game not only helps in building body strength but also helps in enhancing core skills in children.
Photo Credits: Pinterest
4. Goli
Goli is a prominent game played in various parts of India with different names. This game is similar to Carrom Board as the player has to aim and throw Goli to eliminate the other golis of opponents by pushing them out of the circle drawn around the golis.
Photo Credits: timekidspreschools.in
5. Pachcha Kuthirai
Pachcha Kuthirai is one of the prominent games played among school children. This game is equivalent to the modern-day long jump as one person jumps over the other by spreading his legs while the other bends down by holding his knees. As the game gradually begins, 5 to 6 people will join to bend down and the player has to jump over them. If the player fails to do so, he or she has to start from the first. This game builds strength and improves the flexibility of the body.
Photo Credits: LinkedIn/Sporfy
6. Dhaayam
Dhaayam is the most popular game among the people in Tamil Nadu. During COVID-19 lockdown, every household played this game. Considered traditional Ludo, this board game is played by four people by rolling up dice using 6 tokens.
Photo Credits: Flickr
7. Sathurangam
Sathurangam is one of the strategic board games of Indian origin. Being the ancient chess of India, it is known by various names in various regions of India. In the word Sathurangam, ‘Sathuram’ means square which indicates that the board is made of squares in which the pieces are placed and played using strategies and tactics by the players.
Photo Credits: openingmaster.com
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