Category: Traditional Indian Games Other Than Chess
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Chathurvimshathi Koshtaka – A Game we Almost Lost
Blog 14 of 14 The game Chathurvimshathi Koshtaka or the game in 24 squares is a game drawn from an old book written in Sanskrit by Harikrishna, son of Venkatram in the late nineteenth century. It is perhaps one of the first games Kreeda has found in a book and not from a person who…
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Guessing Games – An Insight into Human Psychology
Blog 13 of 14 To guess is to estimate or conclude (something) without sufficient information to be sure of being correct. Life often puts us in positions where we do have to make a guess. At times like this while we may not have all the information, understanding as much as possible about the people…
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A Sense of Balance – Coconut Shell Walk
The coconut in India has a very special significance. With its 3 eyes and the tuft at the top, it has an almost a human head like quality and symbolises the individual.
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Kalanay Belanay – A Tribute to India’s Gaming Tradition
Blog 11 of 14 It was during a talk given by I gave to a ladies group that I were approached by one of the audience. This striking and regal lady from Mangalore was keen to share her childhood memories with us and teach us a game she had played. I had been doing years…
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Pallanguzhi – A Game for all Cultures
Blog 10 of 14 The game of pallanguzhi is a fascinating game of distribution. It is known by so many names across India including Vamanaguntalu, Olinda Kaluja, Aliguli Mane, Adu-guni Mane, Chenne Mane, Saat Kooti, Kutki-Boia and many many others. Interestingly the game is most popular in Africa where it goes by numerous names including…
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Lessons in Survival – Ashtaa Chemma
The game goes by many names such as Ettu Veedu, Kattam Kali, , Chauka Bara, Changapoo, Aada Sada to name a few and is played across the country. The popularity and antiquity of the game is attested to by the fact that boards are found inscribed in numerous temples and monuments.
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Tamarind Seed Game – The Treasure in the Trees
Blog 8 of 14 The 44th Chess Olympiad has brought the game of chess to the forefront of our thinking in India. A board, specialised game pieces, complex moves and nail-biting matches with strategic thinking have become an aspect to cherish in all games. But it is important to remember that when it comes to…
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Surviving the Environment – Lessons from the Spinning Top
Blog 7 of 14 It appears that man has always been fascinated with the top. He has the power to spin it and somehow defy gravity by its ability to stand upright on its point, as if magically. It was discovered, or invented, almost simultaneously and independently in many parts of the world. There are…
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Solah Seedi – Strategic Thinking under High Pressure
Blog 6 of 14 The game of Solah Seedi or Vettai is perhaps the Indian traditional game that is closest to chess, in its philosophy and thinking. Essentially, the game consists of a square with two triangular extensions. There are 37 points on the board, created by the intersection of lines. 16 of these points, on…
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Gilli Danda – The Strategy of Setting Goals
Blog 5 of 14 The game of Gilli Danda is one of the most interesting of the traditional games of India. Played with one short peg and a long stick, the purpose of the game is to hit the edge of the peg on its pointed end, forcing it to jump up in the air…
Ripples Of Life and Time 