Oiled coconuts, seeds, snakes and more | #79
How India has been entertaining themselves.
Tomorrow is Children’s Day in India, a special day for school kids. Remember when teachers would dance, enact skits for all of us kids? Good times. What still connects us to our golden years — as they call it — are our friends, the memories and the games. Oh, the games. Lunch breaks were a carnival in uniforms. But apart from the school ground, our playtime also extended to dining tables with family, where we got to see our parents and grandparents act like children sulking over an “eaten goti” or a slide down the snake’s back. That’s when you realise no matter how old we get, a draw 4 card will reduce our emotional threshold to that of a ten year old.
In keeping with the spirit of fun and games, this week’s newsletter will talk about a few traditional Indian games that are still in existence.
Things we learnt this week 🤓
Yubi Lakpi - This indigenous game played in Manipur which translates to 'coconut snatching' is very similar to rugby. But unlike the latter, it is an individual sport and involves oil soaked players holding an oiled coconut under their arms and passing the goal line from the front to score. It is considered to be a re-enactment of the snatching of the pot of nectar after the Samudra Manthan. Maybe the really proficient players are well-oiled machines.
Pallanguzhi - This game originated in present-day Tamil Nadu and is still played in many parts of Southern India. It comprises a wooden board with 14 cups or pits with the equal number of seeds in them. The player with the maximum number of seeds in their designated pits in the end, wins. It is believed that Sita played Pallanguzhi during her time in captivity in Lanka. Thank God, Candy Crush didn’t exist then.
Inbuan - The game originated in Mizoram and is in essence a variation of wrestling. It is played within a circle either on a carpet or on grass. Each player tries to lift their opponent off his/her feet without breaking any rules, which include no stepping outside the ring and no bending the knees. However, the most challenging part is that the belt around the waist has to remain tight throughout the game. You cannot hit one below the belt in this game.
Mokshapat - Invented by the Indian saint and poet Gyandev in the 13th century, it is a traditional version of snakes and ladders. The main aim of the game was to impart values and teach children that every action has its consequences. Each square on the board signifies a certain virtue or vice and the aim of the game is to attain nirvana or moksha, which is represented in the last square. Board Games are exciting, but this one does have its ups and downs.
Only in India 🇮🇳
Smashing cakes on someone’s face is a particularly Indian celebration but once in a while, it might help you avoid getting eaten by an animal. Two brothers from Madhya Pradesh while returning from a birthday party encountered a leopard near a sugarcane field. And when the feline continued the pursuit for half a kilometre, smashing the cake on the leopard helped the brothers flee.
IWTK Recommendations 💌
Our thread about how Amjad Khan became Gabbar. Has plenty of twists and turns.
Today Amjad Khan would have turned 80 years old. Most of us know him for his iconic role as Gabbar Singh. But did you know that originally Danny Denzongpa was supposed to play Gabbar - a pic from the Launch Party of the film in 1983. A thread about how Amjad became Gabbar.
2. Did you know this actor got his name, because his pregnant mother was gazing at a Leonardo Da Vinci painting, when he first kicked?
Quiz Alert 🔎
Launching #IndiaWantsToPlay, a series of fun trivia-based games. 1st up is #MISHMASH, a fun game by Vyom Vyas and Bharg Mankodi with hilarious mashups of Indian films & personalities. Tune in live for the 1st ever game on our YouTube channel. Sat, Nov 13. 8-9pm
If you are a know-it-all or even if you are just bored, we've got you covered this weekend!
The prelims of this week's "Kyun & A" quiz hosted by India Wants to Know is happening this Saturday on Zoom.
The tickets are absolutely FREE for Prelims and everybody is WELCOME
The top 6 scorers from the Preliminary round will be fighting it out in the Finals on Sunday exclusively on Clubhouse hosted by Kumar Varun!Share this newsletter on WhatsApp
Stay hydrated!
❤️ IWTK
