Remembering the interesting game – Thayam

Remembering the interesting game – Thayam

    Common! Lets play and also build strong relationships in us! Just inviting the winter holidays by remembering our traditional ancient games! First comes my favorite Thayam (தாயம்).
 
    Happy writing this post, since I can recall my evergreen childhood days. Got spirited by lot of my grandma’s traditional indoor games, I used to play thayam more frequently. But nowadays, these games have a very rare picture. The game is also called as “Chathuranga”, which has a very ancient history as it takes an important picture in the epic “Mahabharatham”. The eldest of Pandavas, Yudhishthira and the eldest of Gouravas, Duryodhana play the wicked game - soothu thayam, in which the Pandavas were cunningly defeated and were sent to forest. Thus the game scene forms the important turning point in the epic.
 
Gaming procedure:
    The game is usually played with two or four players sitting around the thayam design drawn on floor or a wooden board. There are two types of design – the 7 X 7 squared and the 6 X 3 squared (as seen in the left and the right side of the image above). Each of the players should have different types of coins, varying either in color or in shape. They roll the dice or the thaya kattai and can start playing the game only if they get “1” in the dice. All the players get consecutive turns and move their coins according to the numbers that turn up in their dice. A player can roll his/her die again, if he/she gets 1, 5 or 6 in it. The coins are moved in a defined path. Coins of two different players cannot be placed in the same square; hence the previous coin is slashed out from the game and hence moved back to the initial position. But there are some exceptional cross-checked squares in the design, where coins of two or more players can stay. A player wins the game only when all of his/her coins reach the final destination at first.
 
    It was further modified as the Snake and Ladder game or the Paramapatham. It is said that this game indirectly teaches a good lesson in life - the ladders denotes the good virtues, so that grabbing them can give speedy success and the snakes represent the vices, thus touching them may push to dangerous lower positions in life. 
     Thus the game converts the leisure time, happier, interesting and develops mathematical knowledge too. The more special feature of the game is that, it can be played by enthusiastic minds of all age groups. Hope the budding new generation learn this game, play these native Indian games and spread the joy everywhere.
 
    Happy Holidays Guys!

Forgotten traditional games

Forgotten traditional games

The stunning difference between the games played in the previous and present generation clearly shows that we have almost forgotten most of our valuable traditional games. People play lot of interesting, mind provoking indoor and outdoor games in those days. But nowadays, the well known outdoor games are Cricket, Tennis and Football. On the contrary, indoor games have faced a drastic change. Almost all kids stick to their computers, laptops, iPads or PS3s playing variety of virtual games. Games of our tradition such as Kabaddi, Ghilli, Kho-kho, Goli, Aadu-puli aattam, Pallanguzhi, Paramapatham, Chathurangam etc are never played in these days.
 
For example, Kabaddi World Cup 2011 have been inaugurated in Punjab and its taking place now. But, there is a question that how many are aware of this wonderful World Cup. The game was found and developed in India. It is the national game of many of the South Asian countries. In spite of it, the game has not gained much popularity and is never been played frequently by today’s modern youngsters. Some other sports have dominated and have just washed the minds of present day youth.

We wish many such native games must be encouraged in schools and colleges to build a stronger future with the essence of precious tradition.

Kabaddi World Cup 2011

Kabaddi World Cup 2011

It’s the grand Kabaddi World Cup taking place. The sport has a strong traditional background and has been played from ancient ages in many South Asian countries. It has its origin in India and is the state game of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. It is the national game of Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Much investment or fashionable accessories are not at all required to play this interesting game. Just a ground, a whistle and some enthusiastic minds will do! The game can bring all joy! In addition, it helps in developing healthy physique, improves concentration, enhances aiming and builds better bonding between people.

Though the game has slowly reached international vision, it was greatly received by many countries of the world. Now the 2nd International World Cup Championship is going on in India in which 14 countries are participating. The final match is scheduled on November 20, 2011. Since India, the 1st International World Cup Champions is playing in its home country, its victory is been greatly anticipated.

Let us cheer up all the international vibrant hearts participating in this championship!

Hip! Hip! Hoooorrrraaaayyyy!

The Fast Bowler

Hey! I am the faaastesttt bowlerrrr of the world now! Can anyone compete with me?!!!??!!

I have made a new trick and made myself as fast as a rocket. I am sure that no one can beat my record!

Hip! Hip! Hooooorrrrraaaaayyyyy!