Traditional Board Games of India

Inauguration of Kreedaa Kaushalya 2026

2026-04-08T15:01:00.002+05:30

Smt. Harinita Singh welcomes Smt. Shubha Sanjay Urs

Smt. Preeti Singh welcomes Dr. Manik Bengeri

Smt. Harinita Singh welcomes Sri Ganesh Shivaswamy

Sri Raghu Dharmendra welcomes Sri Girija Shankar Sundareshan

Smt. Preeti Singh welcomes Sri Vinay Rajkumar

Sri Vinay Rajkumar inaugurates 11th edition of Ramsons Kreedaa Kaushalya by lighting the lamp

Sri Ganesh Shivaswamy unveils the newly introduced gameboard of Patra Gattam

Guests displaying new game boards that were unveiled

Smt. Shubha Sanjay Urs releasing the new edition of the book - Traditional Indian Boardgames

Sri Vinay Rajkumar felicitates artist Sri Manish Verma

Sri Vinay Rajkumar felicitates Sri Srikanth Sharma of Mysuru Puppet Theatre

Sri Vinay Rajkumar felicitates Dr. Manik Bengeri

Sri Vinay Rajkumar addressing the gathering

Sri Vinay Rajkumar presents Sri Ganesh Shivaswamy with a memento

Sri Ganesh Shivaswamy addressing the gathering

Smt. Shubha Sanjay Urs addressing the gathering

RKP Chairman R. Ajay Kumar Singh presenting the memento to Sri Vinay Rajkumar

Sri Vinay Rajkumar interacting with artist Sri K.S. Shreehari

Chief Guests of Kreedaa Kaushalya 2026

2026-04-08T14:21:00.001+05:30

Invitation and Brochure of Kreedaa Kaushalya 2026

2026-04-08T14:17:00.003+05:30

Temples in India have long been considered to be 'spiritual doorways.' Oneness with the deity, realisation of the self, the aura and spell cast by ancient chants, the rhythmic waving of sacred lamps imbue temples with a sanctity that goes beyond rational explanation. The temple was the fulcrum that balanced the secular and the sacred. It was the glue that held the social, cultural and religious fabric of society together. For millennia, temples provided man with essential distraction from routine daily life. Evidences of such playful recreations are the geometric diagrams etched on stone (petroglyphs) flooring slabs depicting various board games. Temples were congregational centres and continue to be so. Amidst an atmosphere of devotion and learning, temple precincts also served as rest-houses for travellers and pilgrims. In these precincts were mantapas or raised platforms around the sacred tree or the temple tank which may even be a temple well. These often served as shelters for travellers. One such ancient stone mantapa stands majestically at the foot of the Chamundi Hills in Mysore. The very first of the 1000 steps leading to the top of the hill starts underneath a mantapa. On the stone plinth of the mantapa are deeply gouged diagrams of the traditional hunt game, 'Adu Huli' (Goats and Tigers). There is also a gouged out diagram of the game 'Sixteen Sepoys.' The climb up the 1000 stone steps can be gruelling. The steps culminate at the summit of the hill close to the entrance to the temple of the goddess Chamundeshwari. Pause a while at the Mahadwara (grand entrance-way) and also at the inner gateway, if you observe right there on the stone plinth within these gateways are the following games gouged into the stone: two games of Aadu Huli and one each of 'Sixteen Sepoys' and 'Nakshatra Aata.' Behind the Chamundeshwari temple on the Chamundi Hill is the even older Mahabale shwara temple. On the entrance porch of this temple, lot of boardgame patterns can be seen. Through regular visits to several temples across the country our team was able to pinpoint the likeliest places where board games could be found. We discovered that evidence of board games tend to occur in such places that are easily accessible, provide a shady rest and are usually on an elevated platform. For instance, in the open spaces near the 'Garudagamba' (temple mast) or the temple well. Another space could be the area near the Homa Kunda, the Hindu sacrificial altar. Ritualistic pujas at temples take several hours and it is more than possible that some bored participants may have settled down to an impromptu game. Game patterns will certainly be seen at many of these 'homa' platforms and nearby cozy corners which are ideal places for people to sit. Apart from temples there are other common public places where game patterns are found. For instance at the bathing ghats (Tulsi ghat) in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), we came across the game of Nau Keti Keta. On a recent visit to the Jalakanteshwara temple within the Vellore fort we discovered a petroglyph of Navakankari. 8x8 square grid pattern was found at the Bhuvaraha temple at Srimushnam. The Tillai Natarajar temple at Chidambaram has umpteen number of game board patterns everywhere; we were fascinated with a small version of Pagaday over there. The mega temple at Tiruvannamalai hosts innumerable game patterns. Here are some sample images of petroglyphs across the Indian sub-continent, which we have photographed in the last 25 years. These reflect the passion of a people in whose memories lies an ancient civilization. In this 11th edition of Ramsons Kreedaa Kaushalya we have brought some more new games in new crafts along with all the earlier popular ones. Come, explore and experience the medieval pastimes which are relevant even today.

Look out for the Eleventh Edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya 2026

2026-03-05T13:13:00.002+05:30

Nandi and Bhringi playing Chaukabara. Artist Jagadish M. Kamble

The eleventh edition of biennial exhibition of traditional boardgames of India - Kreedaa Kaushalya - is scheduled to be inaugurated on 3rd April 2026, Friday at 6.00 pm at Ramsons Bombe Mane, Nazarbad, Mysore.

An exclusive showroom, one and only in India and first of its kind will be inaugurated on the same day. It will feature boardgames in a variety of craft forms like wood, cloth, metal and woven fabrics. It will also have a section of children toys educational objects which are crafted in wood.

The second edition of the popular publication 'Indian Traditional Boardgames A Guide to the Art of Play' co-authored by the team of researchers at Ramsons Kala Pratishtana will be released.

As is the norm, a new boardgame will be added to the repertoire of existing games and a new boardgame in a new craft form will also be introduced at this expo. Mark the dates and visit the exhibition for a unique journey into the varied craft traditions of India.

The expo will be open from 4th April to 31st May 2026. 10 am to 7 pm.

An exclusive gaming parlour to play and learn the varied games numbering about 27 will be open between 4 pm to 7 pm with experienced gamers as instructors.

Entry is free and open for public.

Come, join us for an unbelievable visual and hands-on experience of a lifetime.

New Games and Crafts at Kreedaa Kaushalya 2024

2026-03-05T12:49:00.000+05:30

Colourful bits of cloth have been stitched to create vibrant artefacts like lamp shades, wall hangings, torans, etc., in the applique craft at Pipili, Odisha. RKP team visited Pipili and Puri in November 2022 and were mesmerised by this colourful craft which has several layers of In many house-holds of Uttarakhand, womenfolk weave traditional woollen mini carpets. This beautiful craft form is from the Himalayas. Chaukabara game boards have been created in this craft. Daadu - played only by the Dawoodi Bohra community of Gujarat - has recently been documented. Crafted in Lambani embroidery along with Channapatna counters, this new game board is being introduced in this edition of the exhibition.

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2024 - Inauguration

2024-05-23T17:06:00.004+05:30

Friday 17 May 2024 was a red letter day at Ramsons - it was inauguration of 10th edition of the exhibition of traditional boardgames of India, Kreedaa Kaushalya.

Chief guests being welcomed by traditional nadaswara

Chairman of Ramsons Kala Pratishtana, R. Ajay Kumar Singh garlands Rajabahadur Khem Sawant Bhonsle VI of Sawantwadi royal family.

Ms. Preeti welcomes RanisahebShubhadadevi Khem Sawant Bhonsle of Sawantwadi royal family
with a beautiful bouquet of orchids.

Smt. R. Harintiha Singh garlands Ranisaheb .

Sri Rangoli Srikanth garlands artist Ganjifa Raghupati Bhat

Puppets of Mysuru Puppet Theatre welcome the dignitaries with a brief performance

Art Historian and designer Raghu Dharmendra explaining the display at the exhibition

Rajabahadur Khem Sawant Bhonsle VI and Ranesaheb Shubhadadevi Khem Sawant of Royal family of Sawantwadi inaugurated the 10th edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya by lighting the lamp.

Heralding novelty at Kreedaa Kaushalya

Rajabahadur Khem Sawant Bhonsle VI released the 5-house Chaukabara game board in the woolen mini pile carpet craft of Sarmoli, Uttarakahnd, Ranisaheb Shubhadadevi Khem Sawant released the 7-house Chaukabara in the applique craft of Pipili, Odisha and Ganjifa Raghupati Bhat released the newly introduced gameboard of Daadu in the Lambani embroidery craft.

Advisor of RKP, Raghu Dharmendra shows the gameboard of Aligulimane (Mancala) which he designed in the lost wax process of bonze casting.

On behalf of RKP, Smt. Prema Simha garlands Ranisaheb

On behalf of RKP, Smt. Bharati Madhukar presents a saree with a pallu design containing the Pagaday board game design, to Ranisaheb

Advisor of RKP, Sri L.P. Madhukar presents a shawl to Rajasaheb.

Trustee of RKP, Sri Rahul Singh garlands Rajasaheb.

Advisor of RKP, Sri Sachin presents a memento to Rajasaheb.

On behalf of RKP, Sri Santosh presents a shawl to Sri Bhat.

On behalf of RKP, Sri K.S. Shreehari garlands Sri Bhat.

On behalf of RKP, Sri Santosh presents a memento to Sri Bhat.

An impromptu game of Pagaday

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2024 - Invitation

2024-05-13T20:56:00.005+05:30

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2024 - Brochure

2024-05-13T20:55:00.000+05:30

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Play, games and sports forge friendship and deepen bonds. Games are pleasurable pastimes bringing hearts closer. Not only humans but also the birds and animals display bonding through play. This is the magic of play from which no being is left untouched.

Board games hold a world of laughter, good feeling, camaraderie and bonding which influenced Ramsons to collect, research, reinvent, rejuvenate and resurrect traditional board games since the year 2000 CE. We have intertwined the tradition of game boards with the craft traditions of the sub-continent. The extensive research and documentation at archaeological sites, exhibits at important museums and viewing personal collections over a seven years period finally resulted in the exhibition of 'Kreedaa Kaushalya' for the first time in the year 2007 CE - this has become a platform to create awareness about board games and its importance.

Kalale, about 5 kms. from Nanjanagud, is the seat of Sri Kaivalya Devi the presiding deity of this rural hinterland. Legend says that, at the end of the day, the Goddess animates herself from her image and takes stock of her lands. Just before the dawn she enjoys a solitary game - Seetadevi Ata - in the Aligulimane (Mancala) pits gouged out in the flagstone of her shrine and returns to her image as the Sun rises.

In another legend, on the banks of Indrayani river, Saint Gyaneshwar (1275-1296 CE) of Alandi (part of present day Maharashtra) designed a game board 'Moksha Pata' which is known world over as 'Snakes and Ladders'. He distilled the complex thoughts of Vedas and Upanishads and incorporated them into a simple board game which symbolised good deeds as ascending ladder and bad deeds as being bitten by a snake. Since then, this game has been infusing morals to the children of every generation.

Mythology of the land is thus inextricably embed-ded in the gaming tradition of India. This fecund heritage is the inspiration for Ramsons Kreedaa Kaushalya. Thousands of game board artefacts lovingly created by hundreds of artists from thirty craft clusters across the country have been diligently curated for the tenth edition of this exhibition. The design intervention and production of game boards, counters and accessories by Ramsons are a unique endeavour unparalleled in the field.

New products: Colourful bits of cloth have been stitched to create vibrant game boards at Pipili, Odisha. In many house-holds of Uttarakhand, womenfolk weave traditional woollen mini carpets. This beautiful craft form is from the Himalayas. Chaukabara game boards have been created in this craft. Daadu - played only by the Dawoodi Bohra community of Gujarat - has recently been documented. Crafted in Lambani embroidery along with Channapatna counters, this new game board is being introduced in this edition of the exhibition.

With the scorching summer sapping off energy, let us rejuvenate with a fresh edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya which will help bring families together around a board game. Come, roll the dice.

FAQs About Us and Our Research

2023-06-28T21:30:00.000+05:30

Q1. How have the board games been significant aspect of cultural heritage of the country? Are there ways you can explain in how history and its study or documentation been supported with board games?

Board games have always been part of our mythology, lores, epics and puranas. The major twist in the plot of Mahabharata happens with the game of dice at the Sabha Parva which results in Pandavas losing their crown and the tragic event of disrobing of Draupadi. This culminates in the 18 days’ epic battle. This story has been told and retold over several millennia and is part of the living culture of India. Similarly the famous game of Chaupad or Pagaday between the divine couple Shiva and Parvathi or the story of Krishna playing a game of dice with his consorts in the Harivamsha are quite popular.

Aksha Sukta is a group of verses in Rgveda specially dedicated to a particular nut which is collectively used as casting pieces in a gambling game. The Jain philosophers devised a game board to teach the concepts of Jain philosophy which was called as Gyan Bazi. This is the original template for the later Moksha Pata or Snakes and Ladders.

Historically, we do not come across many records of board games except few books like the Manasollasa of Bhulokamalla Someshwara wherein few games like Phanjika have been described. Then again, the last and 9th chapter Kautuka Nidhi in the Sritattva Nidhi compendium written by Krishnaraja Wadiyar III (22nd Maharaja of Mysore; Ruled: 1799-1868) is completely dedicated to explain various board and card games that were played during that time.

The above things clearly give a picture of how board games have enriched the Indian culture.

Q2. You conducted Kreedaa Kaushalya exhibition first time in the year 2007. How was it conceived initially? How has it grown over the years?

The story of Kreedaa Kaushalya started with a question in the mind of Mr. R.G. Singh – “What did people of earlier times do during pastime when there was no radio and TV?”. This lead him to get interested in board games. During his initial research he came across several beautiful board games and its accessories in various museums which have been created as beautiful works of art in various craft forms like silk embroidery, gold painted pawns, etc. But we do not come across such beautiful boards and pawns nowadays. Mass produced paper printed boards and cheap moulded plastic game pieces are the order of the day. So that made RG think – why the board games and game pieces are not available in contemporary craft forms. Further, it made him think – “since we at Ramsons work with almost all craft clusters across India to source handicrafts, why not we get the game boards and game pieces crafted in these craft clusters?” With this thought we started working with about 30 craft clusters across India by providing them with game patterns and game piece patterns. After several years of this ground work we unveiled the game products at the first ‘Kreedaa Kaushalya’ exhibition in the summer of 2007.
Over the years, we have added several new craft forms and newer games. Kreedaa Kaushalya has caught the imagination of not only the nation but we have fans outside the country as well. We have authored a book ‘Traditional Indian Boardgames’ in the year 2016 which carries instructions of how to play 21 board games along with few pages which gives a brief glimpse of the kind of research we do. So, with every passing year we are growing and updating our knowledge of traditional Indian boardgames which gets reflected in our biennial exhibition.

Q3. How do you research to source games from all over the country?

Our work is to source and work with artisans from across India for our Ramsons store. I, tag along with R.G. Singh on trips. During our trips, we set aside one or two days to explore the local old temples, river sides, palaces, museums, etc. Many a times, old temples have petroglyphs of game patterns on flagstones. For example, if you stroll down the galis of Varanasi parallel to the Ganga ghats, many of times the stone paved jagathi (raised platform) in front of the houses and stores have etched patterns of Navakankari and Sixteen Sepoys. We photograph these petroglyphs and usually engage with local people and question them about the game pattern, ask its local name, play with them to learn the regional variation, etc. This is our field work and gather information. We have photographed about one thousand different places until now.

Q4. Why is it important for you to weave in the craft angle with the board games?

Our research, design development and design interventions are done under the aegis of our art foundation ‘Ramsons Kala Pratishtana’. This was instituted as an NGO to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Ramsons store in the year 1995 by the founder D. Ram Singh. The main aim of this foundation is to support and help in development of indigenous art and craft forms. So whatever project we take up, it should always have a major aspect of art or craft.

When we conceived the idea of reviving boardgame tradition, it was without a doubt through indigenous craft forms. What is available in the market are cheaply printed paper or plastic based game boards with cheaply and mass produced moulded plastic game pieces and casting pieces. These products lack aesthetics and are not long lasting. So by creating game boards in different craft forms we are not only doing design intervention to respective craft forms, we are giving a new dimension to age-old crafts, making them relevant and enhance their repertoire. These aesthetically beautiful game products are created with strict quality control so that they will be family heirlooms. We have also created game products as limited edition pieces for collectors so that the potential of the craft forms is harnessed to its hilt and thus mirror the richness of the craft and material culture of the land.

The name “Kreedaa Kaushalya” mirrors the coming together of two traditions – boardgames (Kreedaa) and handicrafts (Kaushalya).

Q5. In this digital age, why is it important to remind people of our heritage of board games? Afterall, digital games can be played across the continents, virtually!

Digital age has certainly made our lives easier and comfortable but it has also snatched away the pleasure of personal interaction. Humans are social beings and we want personal interaction without which we tend to wilt away. This was amply illustrated in the recent lockdown situations. We were all locked away in our homes and that is when we realised the importance of social gatherings, meeting friends, going to gym, swim, movies, functions, weddings, etc. We longed to meet our friends, family and colleagues.
No matter how much of online game you play, the pleasure when you roll a pair of stick dice on the floor can never be achieved online. Playing a game of Chaukabara with your family seated around the dining table, throwing the cowries on the table, moving the brightly coloured wooden game pieces across the gameboard, cheering and jeering with equal gusto – this can never be replicated on a digital media. The touch, smells and sounds of playing a boardgame with bare hands is what the memories are made of.

Q6. Is there an initiative to build/construct new games, weaving in current context? – or is it only revival of those that were played historically? Why?

Foremost, we are focused on reviving the forgotten board games. In the course of our field work, we came across one petroglyph in Sri Arkeshwara temple, K.R. Nagar which looked like a game pattern but we had never seen it anywhere else – be it other temples or even in books. We tried to play the game and to our surprise, found that in fact two different games can be played on it. One was a hunt game like Goats and Tigers and the other was a war game like Sixteen Sepoys. So we developed and christened it as ‘Shara Vyuha’.

I have reimagined the popular Five House Chaukabara in the circular form with same playing instructions and have called it as ‘Chakra Vyuha’. In the centremost circle I have depicted Yudhishtira while the four safe house in outer most circle has the heads of other four Pandava brothers . Name of the game and the safe houses have connotation of ‘Mahabharata’. This will help in knowing main protagonists of Mahabharata.

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2022 New game Boards

2023-06-07T19:39:00.000+05:30

Game boards in two new craft forms were designed at Ramsons by Raghu Dharmendra, last year. One craftform was done on beautiful coloured cotton fabric with mesmerising Lambani embroidery of Sandur. Another was the beautiful zari weaving on silk cloth; Mysore is famous for its crepe silk.

We had been planning to create boardgames in these two craft forms since past 15 years but finally it materialised in the year 2022 just before our 9th edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya exhibition. We were excited to get these amazing board games released by the chief guest Sri S. Murugan I.P.S. Following are the gameboards created using these two craft forms.

Pagaday in lambani embroidery

Adu Huli Ata in lambani embroidery

Five house Chaukabara in lambani embroidery

Five house Chaukabara in Gandaberunda design in Silk Zari weaving

Five house Chaukabara in Gandaberunda design in Silk Zari weaving in beautiful colours

Five house Chaukabara in Pandava design in Silk Zari weaving

Five house Chaukabara in Pandava design in Silk Zari weaving in beautiful colours

Adu Huli Ata in Silk Zari weaving

Beautiful colours

Assorted coloured Pagaday gameboards in Silk Zari weaving

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2022 videos

2023-05-10T18:59:00.001+05:30

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2022 Inauguration

2023-05-10T18:25:00.005+05:30

9th edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya exhibition was inaugurated on 24 April 2022 at 6.30 pm. Following are some photographs from the inaugural ceremony.

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2022 Invitation

2023-05-10T18:00:00.003+05:30

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2022 Brochure

2023-05-10T17:58:00.000+05:30

Play is integral to all forms of social beings. Animals and birds indulge in playful times just as we do. Though food and safety dictate life’s general course, it becomes a celebration if indulged in some passionate play. That is the very reason why we see games throughout human evolution. Outdoor or indoor, games have been evolving just as we humans are progressing. Senet of Pharoahs, Ludo of Quins, Mancala of Aksumites, Ulama of MesoAmerica stand as shining examples of favorite pastimes through the ages. They offer an exciting insight into a bygone era, acting like time capsules. Worldwide, there are hundreds of board games that were played by people of ancient civilizations. Many of them have still not been fully deciphered. Indian board games, likewise, are an enigma for researchers. Their time of origin remains unknown. They are almost always entwined with one or two regional identities, versions, stories and legends. Understanding these games and reintroducing them is the crux of Kreedaa Kaushalya. Here comes another updated version this summer!

Lockdown has been hard on everybody at individual and community level. While life in general is an uphill challenge, an added stress of lockdown was the final straw. Social interaction and gaming hangout with an added advantage of cultural revival, is long overdue. Kreedaa Kaushalya is a perfect place for just that, this summer.

Medically it is proven that playing boardgames infuses our brain with happy neurochemicals resulting in reduced stress and anxiety; why don’t we do just that with our own forgotten board games?

Ramsons has designed and curated games with its creative team and interesting collaborations across many craft clusters of India. This year, in the focus are some select crafts of Karnataka which have been GI (Geographical Index) tagged by the Government of India. First is the Mysore inlay circular Chess table. Second are colourful Jamkhanas of Navalgunda, with woven patterns of Pagaday and Chaukabara, in different sizes. Exclusive game boards created in sensuous silks with jari weaving, are the third in the list. Finally, the Lambani womenfolk have conjured vivid gameboards in their traditional embroidery. Chakravyuha is a new circular game designed by our in-house game designer, on the lines of the popular Chaukabara. All these have been created by the design wing of Ramsons.

The expo is at our flagship store, 'Ramsons', in front of Zoo.

Every game board and its accessories is an artefact worthy of being family heirlooms. Buying and playing the boardgames of Kreedaa Kaushlaya not only illuminates your home with fun, laughter and happiness, but also supports the art and crafts of our land. Old games shine anew, while some new innovations have been set to challenge the gamer in you. Come to this board game extravaganza, play and have fun with your loved ones.

Kalighat style Patachitra by artist Anwar Chitrakar of Kolkata adorn this brochure. The bold flowing lines of varying thickness are employed by the artist to depict the roundness (modeling) of the figures which is the unique aspect of this style which developed as Bazar art around the Kali temple of Kalighat of Kolkata from mid 19th century up until early 20th century.

Along with the images depicting gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon, the Patua artists of Kalighat painted scandalous affairs of Kolkata's Bhadralok (bourgeoisie) thus poking fun at the latter. The aesthetic of the common man and his wife as depicted in this style, has informed the artist to create these two paintings which was commissioned by Ramsons Kala Pratisthatana and the same was used as the cover images for the brochure of 9th edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya exhibition.

Ramayana Chaukabara

2021-04-20T21:10:00.000+05:30

The above gameboard is of Chaukabara crafted in Kalamkari art. The four safe houses and the central 'Home' squares have special illustrations. This was designed by yours truly.

Instead of having the usual 'X' sign or a flower design in these special squares, I thought, why not have something different so that while playing the game the kids will also learn a story. The first thing that came to my mind was Ramayana.

So starting from the topmost safe square going clockwise we have Rama, Seeta, Hanuman and Lakshmana while the central square has Pushpaka Vimana. This is 'Ramayana Chaukabara.'

Warm wishes of Rama Navami to all the readers.

30 Stades features our story

2020-07-20T13:59:00.002+05:30

30 stades.com is a collection of stories that inspire, impact our lives and compel us to think. Even as we need to keep an eye on everyday news that revolves around crime, politics of convenience and economic discomfort, we also need to look at the brighter side of life. And this deeply inspiring positivity comes from people with a vision and enterprises set up with the passion to make a difference.

But, they not just talk about inspiration in all its myriad forms. Which is why, 30 stades.com goes beyond, uncovering stories that impact people and society. Many a times, life-changing and interesting stories remain confined to their localities. 30 stades.com digs out such tales and take them to readers across the world.

This digital magazine '30 Stades' has feautred us and our story of board games. You can read this well-written article at the url given below.

https://30stades.com/2020/07/20/meet-indias-ancient-board-game-hunters-discover-them-in-temples-palaces-and-preserve-craft/

Snakes and Ladders Shivalinga Design

2020-06-20T20:40:00.000+05:30

Since a long time I wanted to design the gameboard of Snakes and Ladders in the form of a Shiva Linga. But the jutting out part of Yoni-peetha on one side of the Shivalinga posed a problem of symmetry.

Image courtesy: Internet

Observe that one side is stretched out and hence the symmetry is lost. Then one day in early 2018, Sri R.G. Singh bought an interesting painting which had 108 Shivalingas within one giant Shivalinga. Looking at it was an eureka moment for me. It showed Shivalinga but without the jutting-out part of the Yoni-peetha. It was as if the Almighty wanted me to design the Shivalinga Snakes and Ladders and had sent me a prototype to base it on.

Tarakamantramayi 108 Shivalinga. Artist unknown. Size: 36x51 cms. Collection & Copyright: Ramsingh's Museum of Mysuru Paintigns, Mysuru.

This painting is now in the collection of Ramsingh's Museum of Mysuru Paintings.

Based on it, I designed a Snakes and Ladders gameboard having 108 squares. I added two winged angels (from the oleograph print of Shilpi Siddhati Siddalingaswamy's Lakshmi Narasimha) on either side of the Shivalinga. If you observe the central bindi (round red dot) within the tripundra, it has the crescent Moon and Sun together. This is a little addition from my side which symbolises that Sun and Moon together to form the crowning ornament (or the third eye) of Lord Shiva.

I have retained the trefoil flower garland, though made the flowers smaller and have not disturbed the beloved leaf of Shiva - Bilvapatra which crowns the Shivalinga.

The artists of Srikalahasti beautifully rendered my design into their traditional craft form of Kalamkari which is given below.

Personally for me, this product process has been quite satisfying since its inception in my mind as a concept, then the design hurdle faced by me, followed by a chance encounter with an artwork which unraveled the problem, further led to a good design and finally the creation of a beautiful product. It is at these times when I hold the product designed by me that I feel proud.

I have designed a Snakes and Ladders gameboard in the form of a temple, you can read about it here.

Playing with the Past - National Conference on Board Games

2019-05-27T19:26:00.000+05:30

INSTUCEN, Mumbai had organised a two-day national conference on ancient and medieval Indian board games - Playing with the Past.

8 am, Saturday June 1 — 5 pm Sunday June 2, 2019
Prabodhankar Thackeray Krida Sankul, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai

About 20 speakers from across India were invited to present lectures at the conference. Representing Ramsons Kala Pratishtana and Kreedaa Kaushalya are R.G. Singh, myself (H.S. Dharmendra) and Dr. Dileep K.C.R. Gowda, spoke on different aspects of board games.

L-R: R.G. Singh, Dr. Maya Sitaram, Dr. Dileep K.C.R. Gowda, Dr. V. Balambal and H.S. Dharmendra

June 1st: Dr. Dileep spoke on the etched game patterns found in the temples and basadis of Karnataka

We taught few games after the first day's deliberations

Most of the speakers of the conference

R.G. Singh spoke on the board games invented by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar

Dharmendra spoke on the design, marketing and teaching of board games for their revival - a Ramsons experience

Following link will take you to the website of INSTUCEN for more details of the conference.

http://instucen.org/conferences/playing-with-the-past-national-conference-on-ancient-medieval-indian-games/#1557216925579-d1550dd3-6102

How to Play Taabla

2019-05-15T14:48:00.001+05:30

The above video is an instructional one by Ms. Anisha Kapdi from Ponda, Goa. (I came across this video on Youtube and posted it here. I hope this is not infringing on any copyrights. If it does, I will take it down immediately. Anyhow, I thank the persons behind this video for sharing their knowledge which is wonderful of them)

Ms. Anisha has shown a version of playing the Taabla which she calls as Taabulfale. It is a slightly different version from what I have come across in books.

At Kreedaa Kaushalya, we have introduced the game of Taabla in the craft of Silk Embroidery with pawns either as birds or elephants. The casting pieces (long sticks) are called as 'Kocchu' in Kannada and we have got them crafted at Channapatna.

Here's our game board of Taabla.

Taabla or Taabulfala is a forgotten race game which was played in the Uttara Kannada and Malnad region in Karnataka as also in Goa and south coastal regions of Maharashtra. It is called as Tablan in English.

Contents:
Game board - 1
Counters - 12 + 12
Wooden sticks /cowries - 4

How to play

* The board consists of 4 by 12 squares i.e., there are four rows of 12 squares in each row. Fig. 1.

* Board is kept between two players and each player has twelve counters. At the beginning both players' counters are kept one each on a square on the row closest to him. In Fig.1, white and black counters belong to Player1 and Player2 respectively and they are placed on the squares nearest to their owners.

* Tablan is played with four stick-dice (called as Taabla Kocchu) which are painted on one side and unpainted on the other side. These stick-dice are flicked in the air, caught back and again flicked twice or thrice before they are finally allowed to fall on to the ground.

* Four cowrie shells can be used in the absence of these sticks.

Score obtained on throw of Stick-Dice or Kocchu
1 plain surface : score is 2 and throw again
4 plain surface : score is 8 and throw again
4 painted surface : score is 12 and throw again
Other throws do not score and sticks are passed to the opponent.

Score obtained on throw of Cowries
1 mouth up : score is 2 and throw again
4 mouths up : score is 8 and throw again
No mouths up : score is 12 and throw again
Other throws do not score and cowries are passed to the opponent.

* The first move of a counter can only be made on a score of 2, though this score can be split into two 1s if required, and two counters can be moved one square each, instead of one counter moving two squares. Similarly, score of 8 can be split into two 4s and 12 can be split into two 6s.

* The counters move in the directions as follows. For either player, the board is laid out as 1st or home row, 2nd row, 3rd row and 4th or opponent's row. In the home row and 3rd row, the player's counters move right, and in 2nd and 4th rows they move to left. So during a game, opponents' counters move in opposite direction.

* As per Fig.2, the player1's white counters move as follows... a to l, m to x, M to X, A to L (see dotted arrow in Fig.3). Player2's black counters move in opposite direction (Fig.4).

* The counters can only capture opponent counters when they are on the two central rows, or when displacing them on the opponent's Home row.

* Captured counters are permanently removed from the board during that game.

* Once a counter lands on a square on the opponent's Home row it is locked into that square; it is immobilised and cannot move again during the game. Also, it cannot be captured by the opponent.

* Opponent's home row is locked, one square at a time.

* A counter can move twice during a turn to capture two counters. In Fig.5 the white counter has captured two black ones after it got a throw of 2 which was split into 1 and 1.

* In Fig.6, white counter has reached the last square in its middle rows. Now if it gets a throw of 2, it cannot capture both the black counters because as soon as it captures the first black counter, it is locked and cannot move further. So, either it can capture the first black counter or the second one.

* More than one counter cannot be on one square any where on the board.

* At any stage of the game a player must and should use a throw, unless he cannot move.

* The player locking up most squares on the opponent's Home row wins the game.

A walk through the expo

2019-05-13T16:36:00.002+05:30

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2019 Inauguration

2019-05-03T19:38:00.001+05:30

Sri. M.L. Varchusvin S.S. Raje Urs and Dr. Dharanidevi Malagatthi I.P.S. being welcomed with bouquets of flowers.

A game of 'Four Handed Chaduranga'

Dr. Dharanidevi Malagatthi, Principal, Police Training, School, Mysuru, inaugurating the 8th edition of Kreedaa Kaushalya by lighting the lamp.

Sri M.L. Varchusvin S.S. Raje Urs offers garland to the bust of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar

Sri M.L. Varchusvin S.S. Raje Urs releases the newly designed Snakes and Ladders game board in Shivalinga form.

Chief guests playing a game of 'Men and Elephant' which is popular as Anay Kattu. At this moment an idea flashed into my mind. I renamed the board game as 'Mysuru Khedda'

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2019

8th biennal of traditional board games of India

Inauguration by

Dr. Dharani Devi Malagatthi I.P.S.

Principal, Police Training School, Mysuru

Chief Guest

Sri M.L. Varchusvin S.S. Raje Urs

Mathadhipati, Sri Manteswamy Matha Malavalli,

Adi-Honnayakanahalli and Kappadi Srikshetra

21 April 2019. Sunday 11.00 am

Venue: Ramsons

In front of Zoo, Mysuru 570010

Kreedaa Kaushalya 2019 Brochure

2019-04-19T18:44:00.000+05:30

Ramsons Kala Pratishtana (RKP) presents the 8th edition of 'Kreedaa Kaushalya', the biennial exhibition of board games. Art and artefacts of board game play will form the central focus of this expo.

Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and various scriptures, history, poetry, songs, dramas, folklore and all aspects of Indian literature abound in stories involving board games. Shiva and Parvati enjoy a game of Pagaday in Shiva Purana, while Krishna and Rukmini are described as playing Chaduranga in Harivamsha, and even a lonesome Seeta kills her boredom by playing a solitary game of Aligulimane in Ashoka Vana (Kamba Ramayana). This is gods at play. Tales from Bhakti tradition narrate how the Lord Almighty often descends from heaven and engages in a board game with his earthly devotees.

Saint Hathiram Bawaji is a personification of devotion and love towards Tirupati Balaji. There are legends which portray him playing a game of dice with Tirupati Balaji. Thus stories use board games to illustrate the depth of adoration between the deity and devotee.

Outwardly, playing board games is a fun-filled pastime, nothing more. But the act of playing tricks the mind into an alternate reality and helps the brain to produce endorphins -natural chemicals that mitigate suffering, alert the consciousness and alleviate pain. They cushion our thoughts and general state of mind to help us face challenges in life. Playing any game brings about happiness, but the way of playing influences the mind either positively or negatively. The idea, construct and symbolism involved in the game subconsciously tone the thoughts and actions of a player in the real world.

Traditional Indian board games have an emotional connect, triggering nostalgia with the magic of old-world charm. They strengthen human relationships and thus create citizens who are good and compassionate.

For over 20 years now, RKP is passionately involved in learning, researching, documenting and recreating traditional Indian board games under the aegis of 'Kreedaa Kaushalya'. The game boards and accessories here have been created by skilled artisans from 30 craft clusters across India.

New additions: 'Kalamkari' game board of Snakes and Ladders in the shape of a Shivalinga. Chowkis and drawer boxes made from Nuwood and Rubberwood. Play counters in the shape of a tree, hoody dolls, cars and birds. Stick dice and Pagaday pawns as rattles. These have been designed at the design wing of RKP.

This expo is at our flagship store, 'Ramsons', in front of Zoo.

You can play and learn new games at the game parlour. Come, throw a die or two. You may win or lose, but playing these games everyone is a winner, nonetheless.

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Seeta Devi Ata - 1

2018-06-21T18:24:00.000+05:30

There are hundreds of versions of Ramayana and in one of the oral tradition of Ramayana, Seeta is seen playing a solitary game on Mancala (Aligulimane or Pallanguli) board. Probably she dug out 14 pits on the ground in the garden where she was kept captive by the villainous Ravana.

Now we know that an empty mind is the factory of devil. Seeta did not want to sit idle, for it will bring negative thoughts in her mind and eventually they will make her life more miserable than the life in Ashokavana, the garden.

Hence she gouged the earth making one row of seven pits side-by-side and another similar row right across the first row. Collecting round dry seeds of red-coral tree she started playing a solitary game in that board. She played on and on and the game eventually is called by her name as 'Seeta Devi Ata'.

This game was taught to me by late Shyamala Garudachar who lived on the first floor of my house. She was an Iyengar lady and her grand children called her 'paati' and we too called her the same. Paati taught me Aligulimane and Pagaday.

Seeta Devi Ata - 2

2018-06-17T20:00:00.000+05:30

Seeta Devi Ata is a solitary game in Aligulimane (Mancala, Pallanguli). In oral traditions of Ramayana in South India, it is said that when Seeta was in Ashoka Vana as a prisoner of Ravana, she played this game.

Mr. Shantaram looks on while his wife Mrs. Asha is teaching us the game of Seeta Devi Ata - 2

If you are alone and want to play a game on your own, this is a great pastime. The original version of this game (let us call it Seeta Devi Ata -1) is slightly different from what is shown here. Another version of this game was taught to me today (17 June 2018) by Mrs. Asha Shantaram. She learnt this game from her late mother-in-law Radhalakshmamma Addepali. I thank Mrs. Asha and also Radha ajji.

'What is the name of this game?' I asked Mrs. Asha, but she did not remember. Anyhow I am calling this game as 'Seeta Devi Ata - 2'. I will soon post a video of how to play the Seeta Devi Ata -1 which was taught to me by Shyamala Garudachar (we called her paati) who lived on the first floor of our house.

Ganjifa Art Exhibition

2018-05-01T22:09:00.001+05:30