The endangered childhood sports of Indian villages
This book is about the sports which are endangered now but once upon a time played by the children of the Indian villages. In our childhood also we have played a lot of these games. But with the changing time and society these sports are almost lost.
Preface
This book is about the sports which are endangered now but once upon a time played by the children of the Indian villages. In our childhood also we have played a lot of these games. But with the changing time and society these sports are almost lost.
I have attempted to pen them out in words so that these endangered sports can be preserved. In a long day, far from my village, in the shore of sea of Japan, while the sunlight was still fighting hard with the outgoing snow and I was missing my son left alone in the village in India, it came to my mind to list out what he may doing now. I lost deep in my childhood to play these games with him. Then I thought there may be many in this world to think like this and I decided to write it down.
The procedure and explanation for each game is what I have played in my childhood. It may be differ from place to place but the main aim of the sports being the same. The rules and regulations of these sports are self explanatory. I have tried my best to explain the critical rules and regulation of these sports.
The beauty of these sports are that it requires a very few amount of sports item which can be easily made or collected by self. No money is required to play these games.
When you are in a lone battle to fight with the loneliness and boredom of a urban life, I am sure the memory of your childhood in a dusty village surely gives you some feelings of the relief. When in a long holiday, there is no work in your hand, there is nobody to talk with, the busy afternoon with the Gilli Danda is surely pass through your thinking process like a cool splash of fresh air.
While going through the book you may fight with me and start remembering the different way of that games which you played or may disappoint to see that the game which you enjoyed most in your days is not included in the book. If you think so then that will be my success.
This book is dedicated to my late wife Piyali Das Adhikari with whom I had shared my childhood days as well as my midlife. Without her remembrances I may not able to start writing on this topic. Each moment what I spend with her from my childhood encouraged me to write this book.
Also my sincere thanks to my friends Mr Gauranga Manna, Mr Sayantan Mitra and Mr Dhirendra Kumar for providing useful information about these sports.
Content Page no.
Preface---------------------------------------------------------2-3
Team div--------------------------------------------------------- 5
Outdoor sports------------------------------------------------- 6-22
1. Gilli Danda-------------------------------------------- 6-7
2. Budi Basanti or Sita udhaar---------------------------- 7-9
3. Pittu ------------------------------------------------- 9-10
4. Marble ----------------------------------------------- 10-12
5. Steal the egg ---------------------------------------- 12-13
6. Gaddi ------------------------------------------------ 13-15
7. Round Round run away --------------------------------- 15-16
8. Lal and Nil lathi------------------------------------- 16 -17
9. Kith kith -------------------------------------------- 17-18
10. Lukochuri -------------------------------------------- 18-19
11. Jump over me ----------------------------------------- 19-20
12. Kanamachi Blind fold ------------------------------------ 20
13. Collect the leaves -------------------------------------- 20
14. Cock fight----------------------------------------------- 20
15. Kancha -------------------------------------------------- 21
16. Kumbhir danga or Crocodile haunt.------------------------ 21
17. Chakti/ safety pin/match box/cigrate packet-------------- 21
18. Tree monkey squirrel -------------------------------- 21-22
19. Golla chut ---------------------------------------------- 22
Indoor games ---------------------------------------- 22-30
20. Raja Rani Chor Chowkidar/ King Queen Thief Police ---- 22-23
21. Tiger goat----------------------------------------------- 23
22. Goat war---------------------------------------------- 24-25
23. Cross zero ---------------------------------------------- 25
24. Kadi ------------------------------------------------- 25-26
25. Nachan guti/ Dancing Stone --------------------------- 26-27
26. Satgharia/Seven holes -------------------------------- 27-28
27. Diwali bhukka ------------------------------------------- 28
28. Musical baton. --------------------------------------- 28-29
29. Antakshari ---------------------------------------------- 29
30. Ikid mikid cham chikid ------------------------------- 29-30
Water sports ------------------------------------------- 30
31. Dub santar/ touch in the water--------------------------- 30
Team division
Before playing any game the team is divided. The team can be divided by following way;
• First select two best players as captain of two teams.
• Then make pairs of players of equal capabilities.
• The pairs secretly decided a nick name for each of them like Bhim- Arjun, Raja- Rani and Chor- Police etc.
• Then the pair come to the captain and asks them whom they want in his team, Bhim or Arjun/ Raja or Rani/ Chor or police.
• The captain whose turn is then will call for anyone like Bhim/Rani/Chor.
• Then the player who takes the name called will join that team.
• The call for the captain is alternate and the weaker captain should get first chance to call for the first pair.
• Sometimes the youngest two players are given chance to choose the players.
Sometimes the players are asked to make a queue and alternately they are divided in two.
If total number of players is odd then one player can keep as Neutral or called Lutum. He can play for both sides whenever the captain of that team asks for. Or the last player can join in the weaker team if both sides agree to do so.
If a player comes late after game is started then he has to wait for another player to come and then they join one in each team. If there is a Lutum then he can make pair with Lutum and join in the game as player of the team. Or he can instantly make Lutum if there is no Lutum with the agreement of both the team. Outdoor games
1. Gilli Danda
Gilli Danda is the most famous sports of the villages of entire India. To play this game minimum two player and a Gilli and Danda is required. As shown in the figure the small round shaped one is called Gilli and the big one is Danda. The Danda should be three times in length of the Gilli and about 2 feet in length. The dia may differ to comfortably hold with the hand. It is made up of branches of a tree of hard wood. Though the process of play is slightly differing from place to place but the basic is remaining same. Only the point count is differing.
To start the play place the Gilli above a small hole in the starting point and then push it with the conic end of the Danda to throw it maximum. The opponent is stand in front in a safe distance. If the opponent catch hold the Gilli before it touches the ground then the play is finish and the opponent will try his chance. If the Gilli touches the ground safely then the opponent will pick it up and throw it towards the starting point (hole). At the same time the player stands near the hole with the Danda to hit the Gilli thrown by the opponent. He tries to hit the Gilli as far as possible. If the Gilli stop in a distance less than the length of the Danda then the play changes to opponent. If the Gilli stops more than that distance then the distance is measured by the Danda. For every 7 full length of the Danda measured the team get one point. This process continues until the player got out by above mentioned two methods.
In normal cases the throwing of Gilli is always from the starting hole. But in a tough game it is different. It depends upon the distance measured by the Danda. It is counted like the following – Edi – Duri – Ghuran – Chol – Champa – Dhek – Lanka.
• Edi – one full length of Danda. In this case the player have to keep the Gilli in one of his toe, then toss it with leg and hit it with the Danda. Then he kept the Danda above the hole. If the Gilli thrown by the opponent directly hit the Danda then the player is out. If it not hit the Danda then the player hit the Side of the gilli with Danda to make it jump in the air and then hit the Gilli with Danda to send it as far as possible. During this also the opponent can catch the Gilli in the air and get 10 points but the player will not be out. Then he measured the distance and earns one point in every 7 counts.
• Duri – if the count last at two means two or nine or 16 lengths then he has to place the Gilli above the backside of his middle and index finger making them eye shape and toss the Gilli and hit it by the Danda. Then the play is same as describe above for all other.
• Ghuran – if the count is finished in three lengths it called Ghuran. Hang the Gilli by holding it with index and big finger and hit it by the Danda.
• Chol – it is the fourth count. Place the Gilli in the palm making palm boat shape, toss it and hit.
• Champa – It is fifth count. Close the fingers of the left hand. Place the Gilli above the side of the big finger and then toss and hit.
• Dhek – it is sixth count. For playing this one place one end of the Danda in between the four fingers of the left hand keeping index and little finger below and middle and ring finger above. Then place the Gilli above the middle and ring finger. Hold the other end of the Danda with right hand, toss the Gilli and hit it with the Danda.
• Lanka – It is seventh count and count as point. You have to throw the Gilli by the Danda placing it in the hole. It is as good as starting of the play.
In the process of play if the player looses the Danda from his hand and the opponent collect it then the player is out or the opponent gets 100 points.
This game is very dangerous. In the process the Gilli can hit anyone. (Maximum it hits the face and eye). It is required to take a safe distance during the play.
In some places when the player tosses the Gilli with Danda to earn points he can toss the Gilli with Danda in the air for more than two times. If he tosses it three times then the measurement should be carried out with the Gilli, but the count will be same. If it is four times then everyone length of the Danda count one point. If it is more than four times then everyone length of the Gilli count one point or Lanka.
This game is like the desi version of the cricket. The Gilli is like a ball and the Danda like a bat.
2. Budi Basanti or Sita udhaar
This is basically a sport for the girls. But small aged boys also can take part in this game.
Rules –
• Both the team should have equal number of players.
• Two circles are drawn in a distance of about 50 mtr. The big circle is to accommodate all the players of a team except Sita. The small circle is to accommodate one player, Sita. The dia of the circles are not fixed and drawn as per the number of players in a team.
• The external boundary also does not have any shape or dimension. It is depend upon the availability of space.
• Sita is captured by the demons of other team and kept in the small circle and being guarded by the Demons.
• The other players of the team are in the big circle and their aim is to bring the Sita from the captivity of the demons to the Ayodha, the big circle. If they are successful in doing so then they win one point and if they are unsuccessful then the other team will try the same thing and this team becomes demon.
• One player of the team A for example R/L/H chases the demons within the boundary till the time he can hold the breath. During this the player produces sound from mouth uninterrupted like Kabbadi. If during the chase the player successfully touches anyone of the demons then the particular demon is out, and he will sit outside. Remember the player must return to the Ayodha without lost the breath. If he lost the breath before entering into the Ayodha and during that any demon touches him then he is out.
• The team gets 5 chances to chase the demon. During the chase or any time during the play the Sita can take chance and she can return to the Ayodha on her own. But if any live demon touches Sita outside the circles then the game is over for the team and the other team will play their turn.
• Two players cannot chase the demon at a time. If that happen then during that period if any demon touches the player in spite of holding the breath the player or players will be out.
• Only touching is allowed, no forcefully holding of players is not allowed.
• If any demon runs away outside the playing boundary during the chase then he is out.
• A team can collect maximum 10 points at a stretch and after that the other team will get chance.
• The team can changes the Sita during the games but not in in between single game.
• If any player is running short of breath then he can take shelter in the room of Sita, in the small circle. But to return to the Ayodha he can take chance at any time, but the rule of two players will take effect. Even the player cannot return to Ayodha by holding the breath. In case the player is unable to return to Ayodha but Sita is returned then the player is out for the next games, means the team will play without him. To alive the player the team can sacrifice one point they collected and take him for the rest of the games.
• To pause the play any team captain or player can ask for stoppage in between for 2 minutes. During the pause Sita cannot return to the Ayodha. This pause cannot be taken during any chase or action.
Benefits of the game – running is the main action involved with the game. Other than running alertness and concentration is essential for this game. The demons should have the quality to save themselves within the boundary.
3. Pittu
This game is very famous in all over the Indian villages. The game required seven circular tiles of gradually decreasing diameter and a tennis ball. The circles or the pittus are kept inside a circle in the manner shown below. A player of the team one throws the ball from the line shown to break the pittus. The distance is about 10 – 15 meter. A player can get 3-5 chance to break the pittu and all the players of the team 1 will get chance like that. If the player is successful to break the pittus then after breaking they have to rearrange the pittus inside the circle again exactly as it was. During this team 2 collect the ball and try to hit any one of the players of the team one before they rearrange the pittus. If team one is successful to rearrange then they got one point and anyone of them is touched by the ball before rearrange then team 2 will play their chance.
It is not necessary to break all the pittus down but at least one pittu must out from the arrangement.
4. Marble
This game is mostly played by the boys of five to twelve years of age. Round shaped marble ball is required for this game. This game can be individual or group game.
The ground is about a 10 meter circle having a small hole in the centre. A starting line is drawn about seven to eight meter distance from the hole or the perimeter of the circle can be use as starting line.
The players throw the marble from the starting line towards the hole. Whosoever is nearest to the hole or in the hole has got the chance to play first. To play the player should place his big finger of one hand in to the ground where his marble is placed and then hold the marble with other hand and take a spring tension by pulling back the index or middle finger as comfortable with the marble. The tension should be so much that when the player release the tension and marble the marble should go and hit the opponents marble and create a distance required for that call. The calls are 3-6-9-12-15-18 and Cut. The calls can also be made by putting the marble into the hole.
Three – this is first call and the distance should be breadth of the four finger of the player.
Six – the second call and distance is the distance between big and little finger of the player while spread it maximum in length known as Chakhar.
Nine – the third call the distance is one hand means distance between elbows to the top of middle finger of the player.
Twelve – the fourth call. The distance should be two hands and one Chakhar of the player.
Fifteen - the fifth call. The distance is three hand of the player.
Eighteen – the sixth call and distance is four hand of the player.
Cut – this is the point and distance is maximum width of four finger of the player.
The player who is nearest to the hole after throwing of marble will make the calls described above by putting the marble in the whole and by hitting others marble. He can continue hit another marble more than once to make calls but the distance should be achieved for each call described above. If he fails to hit other marble or fails to achieve the distance for the particular call in sequence then his chance is over and the next nearest person who was will play is chance and this process will be continue in rotation until the Cut or Point is achieved. The Cut or point cannot be achieved by putting the marble into the whole. It should be achieved by hitting the opponent's marble only. But all other calls can be achieved by both ways. If there is multiple players then the game will continue until there is no opponent left. I
If it is a group game then the team whose player achieved the nearest point to whole will play first as their will between them. After all of them finished the other team will play. If in the team one player makes only two calls then the second player of his team to be continue with the counting from Nine and so on. All players should play with their own marble which they throw from the starting line. The marble cannot be changed even within the team also.
If during making the call someone hit their own team's marble then their one call will be decreased. Suppose the player is trying to make call Nine and that time he hits own team marble then next time he has to make Six and continue. But after hitting the own team marble he will get chance to continue play. This is used to send own team marble whose chance is next nearer to the opponent marble so that the player can easily heat the opponent marble to earn Cut or point.
The distance is measured between the two marble hit. If any three marble hit each other in a call then game is invalid and new game to be started. The person or team who does this will throw all their marble first from starting point then the other team. In normal throwing the person or team earn the Cut or point should throw first. If during throwing a marble hit another marble then both of them will throw again with the person hit throwing in first chance.
If during the play any marble goes out of the circle then it should be played from the circle line.
Bell – a player can take one bell in a game. It can be taken only if he is playing from the circle line. In Bell he has to throw the marble by hand standing on the circle line to make a call.
In team game as soon as a team achieves the point the game ended and next game starts.
This game helps to improve aiming, counting and learning the table of three.
5. Steal the egg
To play this game a ground should be made as shown in the figure. It is a 15 feet square divided into four houses. Five players are required to play this game.
In the centre of the houses a small hole is made to store four symbolic eggs. One player is act as crow that guarded the eggs standing in any one of the centre line. His leg should be more than 3 feet behind the egg hole. Four players standing on four houses should try to steal the eggs. After stealing the eggs they must distribute among them and all of them should be in their own house after the distribution. After the distribution is over standing on the house they recite some parody and make mockery of the crow. After the parody is finished they again should gathered in one house. If they are successful in doing so then the game restart again and that crow get one point. The player get minimum point is winner.
If during play the crow touches anyone of the player then the play terminated and the touched player become crow. The crow can run in the centre lines only, not in the boundary lines.
One player can steal all the eggs at a time or in parts. But after that all four player should have one egg each in their hands. During this if the egg is falls in the house then whoever does that will become crow.
The players can not throw the egg to distribute. They should come into the house of other to collect or distribute the eggs.
The houses are not fixed for any player. They can change the house or two players can use one house during stealing. But after distribution one house should have one player only.
If any player steps outside the external square then he will become crow. But they can keep one leg out provided other leg or any of his body part is touching the ground inside the house at the same time.
To touch a player the crow can lift his one leg but cannot step inside the house. He is free to run in the centre lines as will but if he is guarding the eggs in the hole in standing position then his leg should be 3 feet away as shown in the figure.
6. Gaddi
This game is for the children above 8 to 9 years. To play this game a sufficient big place is required. The field is prepared and lines are drawn as shown in the figure below. All four house situated in the ends are little bigger than the other. The houses should be so much bigger that if a player stands on the centre of the house then he should not be get touched by players stand on the lines. It includes maximum stretching of hand and body with one leg up.
Green room is the room where all the players of playing team start together.
Salt room is the room where a player gets license or the map to collect the hidden treasure.
Runner line is the centre line along which the main player known as Runner runs and keeps guarding the roads to the treasure.
Gaddi is the place where the treasure is hidden.
This game is a team game and two teams play at a time. One team guards the treasure and other team tries to collect it and bring it to the Green room. The number of player should be minimum of three and maximum total number of lines plus one. (In figure it is 5+1)
The team playing first gathers in the green room. The team guarding stands on the lines as shown in the 2nd figure. The strongest player should be act as Runner and he should guard along the centre line.
To start the game a player of the team playing first will go to the 2nd row house through salt room. Then he starts counting 1-2-3 as he changes the house of 2nd row. That means the house in front of salt room will count 1 and 3, the house situated in front of green room counts 2. As soon as the licensed man counts three the play starts. The players in the green room try to escape from that house to any of the three near by houses and the guards try to touch them during this.
All the players have to move out from the green room before the treasure is collected. They have to move to all the houses. To be licensed to collect the treasure a player should go to the Salt room and all the houses of one side before collecting the treasure. It is not required for all the players to be licensed or to touch each house in game. But the players who bring the back the treasure to the green room should be licensed and he must touch all the houses. It is not necessary that the players who collect the treasure and bring the treasure back are same person. But the treasure should be handed over.
During collection of treasure no player should be in the Green room.
A player must touch all the houses of any one side and the Salt room to collect the treasure.
To bring the treasure back to green room a player must touch all the rooms and should be licensed.
During collecting the treasure the runner can guard the treasure standing in a distance of about one meter as shown in the figure.
During the movements of the players if any guard touches any players including the cloths then the play is terminated and the team guarding get their chance.
The guards cannot change their line during play. They can use only the centre lines but not the border lines.
During touching any of the leg of the guard should not be in the house or outside the playing area, it can be in the air. But one leg should be in the line he is guarding.
The guards can move out of the play area to restrain the momentum, but after touching he should be steady in his line.
The players playing for treasure should not go out play area totally. If any player goes out of play area then the game terminated
The players can move from any house to any house but after they are out from green room they cannot come back to that room without treasure. In case any player enters in the green room without treasure during play then the play is terminated.
This game involved lot of concentration, running, jumping, speeds, accuracy and coordination.
Another version of this game is also there. When there is less number of players then the play is converted to 'Chiching funk'. In this game only Runner is there. He has to guard the treasure alone. He can use any line and any house of the Green room side (open house) to touch any player. The players should run through the house which is open. They should not use the Salt room to exit from the green room. All the other rules are same as the above.
7. Round Round run away
This game is for the small kids. To play this game one solid pole is required in the centre of a circular field. This is also a team game.
Member s of one team holds each other's hands and continue rotates in a circular path. One end of the team is fixed in the pole. The player of that end tightly holds the pole with one hand. They rotate continuously as shown in the figure.
The members of the other team stands outside the circle in safe distance so that the rotating cannot touch them.
The rotating players try to escape out of the outer circle one by one. But the guards try to hold them. If a player after leaving the hand of the rotating net is touched by any guard within the ground then the play is terminated. If all of the rotating members' escapes untouched then the team got one point.
During the rotation if a guard is touched by the intact rotating train then that guard is dead and he is out for that game. That means the guarding team then play with a player less. And this is applied till the last guard is alive.
The rotating trains length can be shrunken or widen by the players as their strategy of the game by running close and spreading the hands length.
During rotation the players should recite some parody like 'round round run away'.
This game involves running, common sense, sudden speed up, and opportunities.
8. Lal and Nil lathi
This game is also for the small kids. In this game each participant has one blue colored Lathi or stick. It is almost like English one in shape as shown in the picture below. The weight of the stick is as per the child's own choice. The players have to bring their own stick.
All the players will throw this stick from a starting point like modern javelin throw. After all of them finishes the distance is measured by seeing. The player who throws least distance then becomes the guard. Then he has given the red stick. This red and blue is symbolic and in actual the players own stick then become red stick. Then he stands on the starting line with his both hands up and holding free his sticks
9. Kith kith
This game is normally played by the small girls. In this game as shown in the figure the line drawn in the ground with the help of a charcoal. The round shaped Guti or Chakti is made up from a piece of broken earthen pot. The player is started from the starting line. First she has to throw the Chakti into the first house. It should not touch any line. Then she has to lift her one leg and starts the game continue making kith kith noise from the mouth. With one leg she has to enter into the first house and with the help of the leg which she is using (not the lifted leg) pushes the Chakti out from the house towards the starting point. In that time she should not touch any line or the Chakti should not stop in the line. After that she followed the line shown in the figure with one leg and from the last house she has to jump over to the thrown Chakti. Remember she has to touch the Chakti by leg at finishing/starting point.
Likewise she has to perform this for all the eight houses. During this if she is in any fault then the other will get her chance and vice versa.
After finishing the eight houses she has to go to the fourth house with one leg and stand there with both legs. While in both leg she need not to make noise or she can take normal breath. In fourth room she has to stand facing towards the starting point and through the Chakti behind. Then she has to close her eyes and make an arch behind like Chakrasan and keeping support of one hand she has to find the Chakti. Remember during throwing of Chakti she has to just drop it so that it is remain within the reach of the hand. It should not drop inside the house or in the line. After finding the Chakti she then stand up and turn around facing opposite to the starting point. Then she again throws the Chakti overhead targeting anyone house. If the Chakti fell into any house correctly then she again start noise and with one leg reach to the house just previous to the house where the Chakti is fell. Then she bends forward, collect the Chakti and make a cross in the house she occupies. Then she takes a break in the house with both leg down and breaking the breath. Then again she cross the remaining house with one leg and Making the noise and finishes at the starting and finishing point.
Now the house belongs to her and she can take rest on that house during next play. During the continuation of play the players should not perform the initial stage for the occupied houses. The opponent has to jump over the house belongs to other. If the opponent occupies two adjacent houses and it is difficult for a player to jump two houses at a time with one leg then she can borrow some part of the house as shown in the figure with green colour. This part is used only for crossing, not for rest or occupies or plays. The game finishes when all the house is occupied. The fourth houses should occupy at last. Whoever occupies more number of houses is winner.
This game helps the child to build up strength, balance, breathing, concentration, throwing, coordination etc.
10. Lukochuri
Lukochuri is a popular game and often played by the children in different forms. In this game one person is to search for the remaining persons who are hiding in the different places. The searcher will tie his or her eyes for five minutes. During this other players hide in the places which is difficult to find but within a define boundary like within the house or building etc. After five minutes the children who are in hide should make a noise or sound to give the searcher hints that they are in hide and probable location of their hide. They give the sounds after that also but only to give hints. The first person revealed by the searcher will be searcher for the next time. But he has to find all the person before change over. If he is unable to find all within a specific time then he got minus one point and if he is successful then plus one point. But the searcher will change even if he is unable to find all of them.
If he is unable to find anyone of the hider then the searcher will not changes and it will be continue up to ten times. After each lost game he will be called as follows by others.
One – anda/ egg
Two – cow
Three – tuti/parrot
Four - chor/ thief
Five - ullu/ owl
Six – chata/ handicap
Seven – sutta/ drunkard-drug addict
Eight – Antua/childless
Nine – Nongra/ unhygienic
Ten – Daimra/ Unique (in a bad sense)
These parodies are different from place to place and spontaneously invented by the children. These are just examples.
This game helps the child to improve their audibility. They learn to count from one to ten. They also learn the above mentioned parodies which are not to be, or which is very bad to become.
11. Jump over me
This game is a village version of the modern High Jump. To play this game, minimum four players is required. The players are divided in two groups minimum two in a group. Two players sit in the ground with one leg stretch forward and other leg fold and facing each other so that their foots touches each other.
The other players then jump over their legs. During jump absolutely no body part should touch the players sited.
After everybody clear the first hurdle the players raise their leg one above another, means the heel of the other leg should be placed above the toe of the first leg. Then the same way opponent teams' players jump over one by one.
Then they placed one hand above both leg. They have to place their big finger above the second leg toe and the little finger should stretch as high as possible. They players jumping should jump over the centre, means over the little finger not through the side.
Same way the other hand also used to raise the height.
After that if every players of the opponent team clears all the hurdle then the two players sited will spread their both leg to make a oval. Then the opponent players run and jump like triple jump. They have to place only one leg in between the oval and run from one side to another.
If they are successful in doing that then they earns one point. If any player of the team is unsuccessful to clear any of the hurdles or touches the players making hurdle during jump then the play terminated and the player in fault will then make the hurdle with his pair and the game restarted.
This game involved high jump, triple jump, running as well as stretching exercises. The players making hurdle also to concentrate on balancing their legs and hands to maintain maximum height.
12. Kanamachi Blind fold
This is also a popular sport. In this game anybody can participate. This game involved lots of fun and enjoyment.
In this game one person is act as blind or Kana. He has to tie his eyes with the help of a hanky or Chunri (part of dress of a girl). Then he or she has to find or touch the other persons playing by following their sound of parody or song or any kind of noise. The other players should be nearby within the reach of a quick action and continue singing any song or recite a parody like "kanamachi bhon bhon, jo bhi mile usko chon" "the blind fly making noise Bhon Bhon touch anyone of us if you can ". As soon as the blind man touches anyone the person then changeover and that person become blind. This process continue, continue fun and enjoyment.
This game gives lot of enjoyment and fun. Above that it helps to develop the reaction process of the nerve system, coordination with the ear.
13. Collect the leaves
In this game the Host or called as the "Budi" asks the other to collect leaf of a certain tree or grass or bush etc. all other player should collect the leaf and come back to the host as soon as possible. The person who come last or bring leaf of any other tree will act as host in the next time. In case two or more players bring the wrong leaf the person who comes first with wrong leaf will act as host.
This game helps the child to recognize the tree. They learn about the nature. They have to know the location or probable location of a certain tree or grass which is very rare. Running is also a part of the game.
14. Cock fight
Cock fight is a popular game for boys. It can be one to one or a group game. In one to one game both the players are fight to each other inside a circle of about five meter dia. They have to lift one leg bend behind from the knee and hold it with the same hand. If it is left leg then hold with left hand and if right then with right hand. Keep the other hand in the opposite shoulder so that the elbow of that hand will be in front of chest. Then push the other player with shoulder only and try to push him down. If the leg of the player touches ground or the player fell down or pushed out of the ring then the game is finish and the other player is considered as winner.
In a group game all the player will be started inside the circle and whoever is fell down will be out. The last person who remains intact will be winner. In this case anybody can fight with anybody like WWF game.
This sport gives strength, common sense, and balance to the child.
15. Kancha
This is also a version of the marble. This game is played with the small glass balls available in the market. Two players can play this game. A player keeps his Kancha or Ball in a point fixed by them. The other player throws his ball from the starting line to hit the Kancha. If he is successful to heat then he will take the Kancha hitted and a new Kancha will be put by the opponent. If the player is unable to heat then he will put his Kancha in the point and other player will get his chance.
This game helps to improve aiming and coordination.
16. Kumbhir danga or Crocodile haunt.
This game is played by very small kids. One of them acts as Crocodile. This game is normally played in a temple Veranda. The crocodile guarded a place marked as the water area below the Varanda. The other kids are act as human and they stay in the Varanda. They have to go to the water in between to fetch the water. During this if the crocodile touches anyone of them then the player become crocodile and the process continue. The children should go to the water and recite some parody like "oh crocodile I am coming to fetch the water, catch me if you can" and make some mockery of the crocodile.
All players should go to the water repeatedly in turn to give fare chance to touch him. This game helps to improve attentiveness, cleverness, speed and sudden reaction as well as physical exercise.
17. Chakti/ safety pin/match box/cigrate packet
This game is also played by the small male children. They all should have one Chakti or round shaped flat tiles dia about two inch. Each player keeps their Chakti in a safe distance from other. The players who played first can aim to throw his Chakti near to any other players Chakti. If it falls within a Chakhar (distance between big and little finger while spread maximum. It is about six inch) then he will get one safety pin or the square portion of a empty match box or cigarette packet (printed with some nice photo like Char miner, Red fort, Taj Mahal, parachute etc), from the player whose Chakti is aimed. If after throwing the distance is more than the described then he has to give.
The throwing sequence can be decided at the starts by lottery. After playing the player has the right to throw his Chakti anywhere he wants so that nobody can easily aim his Chakti. But he has to throw from that place only. He cannot carry it by hand. This game is also helps to improve the aiming and accuracy. The child also learns to recognize the famous things like Char miner, Tajmahal, Parachute and their value.
18. Tree monkey squirrel
This game is for little big children. Normally this game is played in a banyan tree or peepal tree. One person is acting as squirrel and others monkey. The squirrel has to guard a piece of wood and the monkeys try to fetch it. The wood is kept in the bottom of the tree and the squirrel guard it. The monkeys have to be in the tree and would try to take the possession of the wood. The monkey can use the ground only up to the area the branches of the tree spreads. If nay player run beyond that then he will become squirrel. During taking possession or running if the squirrel touches any monkey then that player become squirrel and the game continue. If the monkeys successfully steal the wood piece then that squirrel got one point and whoever got the least point is winner of the game.
This game is very dangerous in terms of climbing the tree and run around in the branches of the tree. Sometimes the players have to climb the tree through branches and very fast to avoid got touched. Sometimes they have to jump from one branch to another or to the ground.
A lot of strength and flexibility and accuracy are required to play this game. This game is known as cowboy's game. Normally the cowboys after leaving the cows to graze in the field gathered together under a Banyan tree and play this game.
19. Golla chut
This game is also for the little kids. All needed is a wall and some place to run around. One person guards some area of the wall and others try to touch that portion. If during the process they come in physical contact with the guard then that person become guard and the play continue.Indoor games
20. Raja Rani Chor Chowkidar/ King Queen Thief Police
This game is a indoor game and played by four players. Four square white papers, a scoreboard paper and a pen or pencil is required to play this game. In the four square paper following is written
Paper1 – Raja/king 1000 points
Paper2 – Rani/queen 800 points
Paper3 – Chowkidar/Police 600 points
Paper4 – Chor/Thief 400 points.
These four papers then folded neatly so that nobody can recognize what is written inside. Then in turn one player throws these four papers and each of them collected one paper each.
Then whoever got the third paper written Police will declare and he has to guess who is the Chor or Thief. If he guesses right then the player who is Thief will get zero point and all other will get the point what is written in his paper. If the Police is unable to find the Chor then he will get zero and others as written. In next game Raja will find Rani and the rule for point is same. This finding process is alternate for Raja and Police and declares by the player who is throwing the papers.
The scores are written in a paper under each player's name. At the end of the play the players got maximum point is declared as King or Raja the second position as Queen or Rani, the third position as Police and the last as Thief or Chor.
This game helps the child to develop guessing power and learn calculation and math.
21. Tiger goat
This is an indoor game and played by the children above 10 years. This game is like chess. In this game there are total 20 goats and 2 tigers placed as shown in the figure. The lines can be drawn in the floor of the house by a piece of chalk. One player plays for the goats and other for tiger. The tiger should try to eat the goats and finishes them. The goats should try to restrict the movement of the tigers. Once all the goats are finished the play finishes with the win of tiger side. If the goats are able to restrict the total movements of tiger then the win is for goat side.
The tiger can eat a goat by jumping over them throw a straight line if that point is empty. If two goats are sitting in a series then the tiger cannot eat them.
The tiger cannot eat multiple goats at a time, only one goat is allowed at a time.
The game is started with the movement of the goat first. Then the tiger. Goat can move only to the next point. But the tiger can move two points at a time while eating a goat. That means if there is a goat in front of a tiger and the third point is empty then the tiger jump over the goat to the third point and eat that goat.
The movement is alternate for goat and tiger respectively.
22. Goat war
This is also an indoor game. Each player has 16 goats each. The goats are placed in the field as shown in the figure below. This game is also like chess and tiger goat. The difference between the Tiger goat and the Goat war is that here the multiple killing is allowed. Here one has to kill all the goats of the opponent or restrict the movement to win the game. The player can kill a goat if the opponent's goat is placed just next point to his goat and the third point in the line is empty. Then he has to shift his goat to the third point and take the opponents goat out. It can be multiple killing if after killing one goat the same condition is meets again. It may not be straight line. It is shown in the 2nd figure.
23. Cross zero
This game is also a mind game and indoor game. This can be play by two players. To play this game makes the table having three rows and three columns. One player puts his sign in a cell and then the other player. Whoever put three signs in a straight line first is winner. The aim of the player should try to put the sign of his own and at the same time prevent the other to make it. The starting of the play is alternate.
24. Kadi
Four in no small dry Chaina sea shell is used to play this game. The player has to throw all four together. If all of them are upside down then the player got eight points. If all of them are open mouth then any player can collect them quickly and got four points for each shell the player collected. If two of them are upside down then the player playing should push one of them with finger so that it touches any other shell. But both of them should not be open mouth and should not touch more than one. If that happens or the player fails to hit the targeted shell then his chance ended. For every target the player hit he got one point. If three shells are open mouth then the play terminated. The player collects maximum points is winner of the game.
25. Nachan guti/ Dancing Stone
This is a girl child's game. This game often played by the girl children. This is also a indoor game. To play this game five small stone of round shape is required.
This game has four stages. Two players or three players sit together facing each other around a small circle.
Ekar - In the first stage the player spread all five stones together in the playing circle. She should make sure that they fall in considerable distance from each other. Then she picks up one of them as wish. After that she throws or dances the stone upwards and picks another stone with that hand and then catch the stone she thrown with that hand only. She has to do all this while sitting. Only stretching of hand is allowed. Likewise she picks up all four stones in same process by dancing one stone. She has to perform this five times. She should not keep the stones elsewhere. The stones should be always in her hand which she picked up. During picking up she should not touch any other stone which is lying there. Failing to collect the stone, or pick up or touched other stone or falling of stone from hand terminated the play and the next person get her chance. All the stages should be performed for five times except the last stage.
Duar – in this stage she has to pick two stones at a time.
Tinar – she must pick up three stones in first attempt and one stone in second attempt.
Nachan – In this stage she has to dance or throw all the stones upwards during picking up of a stone. For example after picking up one stone she plays like Ekar and pick up another stone then she should throw both the stones in her hand to pick up another stone and then catch both of the dancing stone. In this stage she cannot pick up two stones at one attempt.
Tree – This is like Duar. She should pick up a pair of stone and keep them in a place in the circle. Then she must pick up remaining two and keep them in another place. This process continues for fourth time and in fifth she must keep all four together and then pick all four up. Then she has to throw all five of them above and collect them with the backside of palm of both hands together and then throw them again and collect them with the palm. In this process if she collected all five then her point rise by five if four then by four and so on. If she is able to collect five then she continue to play the last stage or Tree. If she collects four then she has to play from fourth stage and so on. If she does not want to play then next person will get chance to play her turn. The player will not get any point then. In next turn that player can play the last step of Tree, five stone in hand throw one and keep rest four in ground and then again throw the stone and collect all four.
26. Satgharia/Seven holes
This game is also a mathematical game and it helps the child to improve counting.
Seven holes are made on both sides as shown in the figure. Two players 1 and 2 sit facing each other. Each hole contains four stones.
In the first instance one player starts the game from his or her holes only. She can choose any of the seven holes of his or her side. The player then shifts all four stones of that hole to the next hole in anti clockwise direction as shown in the second figure. When there is an empty hole then she collects the stones just next to that empty hole. Then the second player starts his or her turn. She can also choose any hole containing stones to start with in her side. She picks up all the stones and start distributing them in anticlockwise direction in one stone to each hole. After finishing the distribution if there are stones in the next hole then she should pick them and continue distributing until there is an empty whole remaining after finishing the distribution. She then gets the stones placed in the hole just after the empty hole. If there is no stone in that hole then she should not get anything. Thus the play continues alternately until one player is in the absence of any stone in her houses while her turn comes. Then the other player can collected remaining stones in her houses.
After finishes they again keep the stones in their own houses four in each house. The player who collects less stone can borrow up to three stones from opponent to fill her house. If it is four then one house of that player shall be closed. Thus the play continues until all the house of a player closes completely.
27. Diwali bhukka
This is also a small kid's game. Normally this game is played during the festival Diwali. The Dia is used for this game the children have to secretly make three heap of sand or soil. A Dia is kept hidden in one of these three heaps. Other child should correctly guess in which heap the Dia is kept. If he guesses it correctly then he will get that Dia. Then alternately the other child will hide his Dia.
28. Musical baton.
This is the most popular indoor family games. This is a home version of the game musical chair. This game often plays during family gathering. Most of the family members take part in this game. To play this game a music player and a baton is required. Often a household item like pillow is used as a baton. All the players' seats together making round shape facing each other. Then a popular music is being play in the music player. All the members together sing the song and pass the baton to the next person. A music controller controls the music. The music controller suddenly stops the music in between. That time whoever is in the possession of the baton is out from the game. He has to perform something in front of everybody like singing, dancing, and dialogue, magic, crack a joke or any type of item for the enjoyment of everybody. Sometimes the other members ask the player to perform certain things for which the player is known for. This is totally an entertainment game. The last person not out is the winner and he or she too has to perform at the last. In many Indian Hindi film this game is used in a nice way.
29. Antakshari
This game is also an entertainment game. This game also plays during family gathering or during picnic or combine journey. This can be plays in group or individual. The players have to sing a song started with the last alphabet of the song sung by the previous player. The player should start the song as it started in the original. He or she can not start it from in between.
Some time if any player is unable to sing a song starting with a rare alphabet then name of Movie starting with that alphabet can be taken. If the end alphabet of a song is such that there is no song starting with that alphabet then the second last alphabet should be taken and so on.
At least one stanza of the song should be sing. There is a time limit to start the song. The opponent can count from one to ten to alert the time. All the members of a team should sing together to make it more generous and enjoyable.
In family movies this game often use effectively.
30. Ikid mikid cham chikid
This is very small kids game. The children sit around a table with their fingers spread in the table. A monitor is decided first hand who can efficiently count the words in a rhyme. The monitor places only one hand so that he or she can count with the other hand. The counting is always clockwise direction. The monitor starts a rhyme and with this he starts counting the fingers, one finger with one word, starting from the big finger of his left hand with continuation to the next persons little finger of right hand. All the children recite the poem or rhyme together with continue counting. Where the last word of the rhyme falls will be the safe finger. That finger of the child then bends and then the next poem starts from the next finger. In repeat count the fingers which is already bend should be excluded from counting. When all the fingers of a person is safe then the player is safe and out from the game but he can continue recite the rhyme. The last finger left is decided as looser of the game.
This game helps the children to learn rhyme or poem as well as a clear idea of words in a sentence. The poems can be anything starting from "twinkle twinkle little star" to a self made poem or folk tale. One popular tale is like
Ikid mikid cham chikid,
Cham ko mara majumdar,
Bhag ke aye Damodar,
Damodar ki bartan handi,
Todh dale marke dandi.
Bol ke gaye Zamindar
Kar do sabki arr e parr.Water sports
31. Dub santar/ touch in the water
This is a water sports. It can be played in a pond or lake or in the river which is safe. The players must be able to swim. In this game one player is made as crocodile and others fish. The crocodile has to catch any of the fish. He can take a dip and swim underwater silently to reach any of the fish suddenly. If he able to touch the fish then that player becomes crocodile and the play continue. During the play the area of the play is marked fixed in the river. No player is allowed to cross the boundary. No player is allowed to go out of water. They always need not to swim continuously. They can stand or roam in shallow water.
This game helps to learn swim, hold breath, and find direction underwater.
That's a wonderful job. Nice to know about all those old games or sports that were once in use in our country. Keep it up.