Indoor games or outdoor games for India

[Ingrid Alfaro-Perez]

Shatranj or Chess

Chess is perhaps India's oldest and most loved board indoor game.
Chess was born in India and has been played in India through
centuries. It is revered as an indication of a man's intelligence and
strategic capabilities. A chess set can be found in almost every
Indian home. Many of India's folktales are littered with stories of
kings and emperors and their chess games. In fact, even the
Mahabharata has a crucial episode which involves chess.

Chess is excellent for overall mental development. Many schools
encourage children to pick up chess. Chess has a very positive effect
on children and adults both.

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Kho Kho

Kho Kho is an immensely popular sport in India. In some parts of India
it is even played on a professional level. Kho kho is very popular
with children and is often part of the games class in schools.

In Kho Kho, one team kneels on the ground in a line, but with
alternate persons facing opposite directions. The other team sends in
one or more members, who have to avoid being touched by the chaser. He
is allowed to dodge by running through the line of squatters, but the
chaser can only run in one direction and cannot pass between the
squatters. He however can pass the turn to nay of his team mates who
are kneeling on the ground.

This game is very quick, requires good fitness levels and is excellent
for overall development of your child. It is a quick and exciting game
and can be played for hours together. Also, it does not need any
training or equipment and can be played by almost anyone!
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Kabaddi

Kabaddi too is an indigenous Indian game. It is a team sport and has
been played in India since ages. It requires players to be strong and
agile, and does not require any equipment or training.

In kabaddi, two teams occupy separate halves of the ground. Then one
team sends one player into the other half to try and 'tag' any member
of that team. The other team is supposed to capture that player and
prevent him from getting back into his territory. This goes on until
each team member is caught or escapes. Also, the team member is not
supposed to take a breath until he returns to his side. This is done
by reciting 'kabaddi' over and over so the referee knows when he takes
a breath.

The game has gained popularity over the years in other parts of Asia
as well. It is played in many parts of the Indian sub-continent as
well as China and Japan.
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Gilli Danda or Lippa

Gilli Danda or Guli Danda is a very popular game among the children of
India. It is played all over the country and can be enjoyed for hours
together. Most Indian adults would remember having played gilli danda
with their friends in the neighbourhood.

To play this game, you need a long stick, and a short stick with
tapered ends. The long stick is used to flick the short gilli into the
air, and then hit to travel to a maximum distance. The opposing team
here has to try and catch the gilli. That gets the hitter out. Also,
if the hitter misses the gilli thrice, he loses. The hitter's score is
measured by the distance from the place where he hit the gilli and the
place it landed, measured by the danda.

These are some of the games which have been a part of Indian history
and culture and still hold much relevance today. Go ahead and give
these a try today, you may end up liking them more than your child!