Game boards inscribed on temple floors are a clue to the wide spread popularity of games. In times gone by variety of board games were played by a whole cross section of population. If Chaduranga was a game of royal court, common man’s favourite was the simple Adu Huli Ata. The game of Sixteen Sepoys played on a beautiful geometric pattern as a board was a pastime of common soldier.
Many popular games of today like Chess, Pachisi or Ludo and Snakes and Ladders have originated in India. The modern day 64 squared chess played by two persons is a simplified version of 144 squared four handed ‘Chaduranga’ played by four with complex moves.
The range of games played have an astonishing variety and variations. These can be broadly classified as...
- Counting game - Aliguli Mane (Mancala)
- War game - Chaduranga & Sixteen Sepoys
- Race game - Pagade, Chauka Bara & Panchi
- Alignment game - Nava Kankari & Kattam Vilayattu
- Hunt game - Adu Huli Ata & Ane Kattu
- Solitary game - Nakshatra Ata & Seethadevi Ata
- Morality game - Paramapada & Devi Sayujya Ata
4 comments:
Jneswar.True to your name you are genius.Your inborn creative genius, your interest in our paramapare, in its varied facets, are the unique traits about which we should all be proud.May Your tribe increase.krishna vattam
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about the ancient board games of India. I, too, believe that games of various kinds will help keep one from slipping into the various mental disorders that can so terribly trouble us as we age. Keep up the good work.
hi, I really enjoyed this site.I recently bought pagade (four-sided) game with long dice for my child in Kaveri (Mysore).I have forgotten the rules and how to play.Can you help me out please?
Ms. Usha, thank you for your comment. I will upload the ruels of playing 'pagade' within a couple of days please revisit the blog again.
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