The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
THE ENDANGERED CHILDHOOD SPORTS OF
INDIAN VILLAGES
By
Sousil Nandan Das Adhikari
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
Preface
This book is about the sports which are endangered now but once upon a time
played by the children of the Indian villages. In our childhood also we have
played a lot of these games. But with the changing time and society these sports
are almost lost.
I have attempted to pen them out in words so that these endangered sports can
be preserved. In a long day, far from my village, in the shore of sea of Japan,
while the sunlight was still fighting hard with the outgoing snow and I was
missing my son left alone in the village in India, it came to my mind to list out
what he may doing now. I lost deep in my childhood to play these games with
him. Then I thought there may be many in this world to think like this and I
decided to write it down.
The procedure and explanation for each game is what I have played in my
childhood. It may be differ from place to place but the main aim of the sports
being the same. The rules and regulations of these sports are self explanatory. I
have tried my best to explain the critical rules and regulation of these sports.
The beauty of these sports are that it requires a very few amount of sports item
which can be easily made or collected by self. No money is required to play these
games.
When you are in a lone battle to fight with the loneliness and boredom of a urban
life, I am sure the memory of your childhood in a dusty village surely gives you
some feelings of the relief. When in a long holiday, there is no work in your hand,
there is nobody to talk with, the busy afternoon with the Gilli Danda is surely pass
through your thinking process like a cool splash of fresh air.
While going through the book you may fight with me and start remembering the
different way of that games which you played or may disappoint to see that the
game which you enjoyed most in your days is not included in the book. If you
think so then that will be my success.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
This book is dedicated to my late wife Piyali Das Adhikari with whom I had shared
my childhood days as well as my midlife. Without her remembrances I may not
able to start writing on this topic. Each moment what I spend with her from my
childhood encouraged me to write this book.
Also my sincere thanks to my friends Mr Gauranga Manna, Mr Sayantan Mitra and
Mr Dhirendra Kumar for providing useful information about these sports.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
Content
Page no.
Preface -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-3
Team division ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Outdoor sports---------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-22
1. Gilli Danda ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6-7
2. Budi Basanti or Sita udhaar ------------------------------------------------- 8-9
3. Pittu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-10
4. Marble ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10-12
5. Steal the egg -------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-13
6. Gaddi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13-15
7. Round Round run away ------------------------------------------------------- 15-16
8. Lal and Nil lathi ------------------------------------------------------------------ 16 -17
9. Kith kith ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17-18
10. Lukochuri -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18-19
11. Jump over me -------------------------------------------------------------------- 19-20
12. Kanamachi Blind fold ----------------------------------------------------------- 20
13. Collect the leaves --------------------------------------------------------------- 20
14. Cock fight ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20-21
15. Kancha ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
16. Kumbhir danga or Crocodile haunt. ---------------------------------------- 21
17. Chakti/ safety pin/match box/cigrate packet ----------------------------- 21-22
18. Tree monkey squirrel --------------------------------------------------------- 22
19. Golla chut ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22
Indoor games ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 22-29
20. Raja Rani Chor Chowkidar/ King Queen Thief Police --------------- 22-23
21. Tiger goat ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 23
22. Goat war ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 24
23. Cross zero --------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
24. Kadi ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
25. Nachan guti/ Dancing Stone ---------------------------------------------- 25-26
26. Satgharia/Seven holes ----------------------------------------------------- 26-28
27. Diwali bhukka ----------------------------------------------------------------- 28
28. Musical baton. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 28
29. Antakshari --------------------------------------------------------------------- 28-29
30. Ikid mikid cham chikid ------------------------------------------------------ 29
Water sports ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
31. Dub santar/ touch in the water ------------------------------------------- 30
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
Team division
Before playing any game the team is divided. The team can be divided by following
way;
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




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
First select two best players as captain of two teams.
Then make pairs of players of equal capabilities.
The pairs secretly decided a nick name for each of them like Bhim- Arjun, RajaRani and Chor- Police etc.
Then the pair come to the captain and asks them whom they want in his team,
Bhim or Arjun/ Raja or Rani/ Chor or police.
The captain whose turn is then will call for anyone like Bhim/Rani/Chor.
Then the player who takes the name called will join that team.
The call for the captain is alternate and the weaker captain should get first
chance to call for the first pair.
Sometimes the youngest two players are given chance to choose the players.
Sometimes the players are asked to make a queue and alternately they are divided
in two.
If total number of players is odd then one player can keep as Neutral or called
Lutum. He can play for both sides whenever the captain of that team asks for. Or the
last player can join in the weaker team if both sides agree to do so.
If a player comes late after game is started then he has to wait for another player to
come and then they join one in each team. If there is a Lutum then he can make pair
with Lutum and join in the game as player of the team. Or he can instantly make
Lutum if there is no Lutum with the agreement of both the team.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
Outdoor games
1. Gilli Danda
Gilli Danda is the most famous sports of the villages of entire India. To play this
game minimum two player and a Gilli and Danda is required. As shown in the figure
the small round shaped one is called Gilli and the big one is Danda. The Danda
should be three times in length of the Gilli and about 2 feet in length. The dia may
differ to comfortably hold with the hand. It is made up of branches of a tree of hard
wood. Though the process of play is slightly differing from place to place but the
basic is remaining same. Only the point count is differing.
To start the play place the Gilli above a small hole in the starting point and then push
it with the conic end of the Danda to throw it maximum. The opponent is stand in
front in a safe distance. If the opponent catch hold the Gilli before it touches the
ground then the play is finish and the opponent will try his chance. If the Gilli touches
the ground safely then the opponent will pick it up and throw it towards the starting
point (hole). At the same time the player stands near the hole with the Danda to hit
the Gilli thrown by the opponent. He tries to hit the Gilli as far as possible. If the Gilli
stop in a distance less than the length of the Danda then the play changes to
opponent. If the Gilli stops more than that distance then the distance is measured by
the Danda. For every 7 full length of the Danda measured the team get one point.
This process continues until the player got out by above mentioned two methods.
In normal cases the throwing of Gilli is always from the starting hole. But in a tough
game it is different. It depends upon the distance measured by the Danda. It is
counted like the following – Edi – Duri – Ghuran – Chol – Champa – Dhek – Lanka.
 Edi – one full length of Danda. In this case the player have to keep the Gilli in
one of his toe, then toss it with leg and hit it with the Danda. Then he kept the
Danda above the hole. If the Gilli thrown by the opponent directly hit the Danda
then the player is out. If it not hit the Danda then the player hit the Side of the gilli
with Danda to make it jump in the air and then hit the Gilli with Danda to send it
as far as possible. During this also the opponent can catch the Gilli in the air and
get 10 points but the player will not be out. Then he measured the distance and
earns one point in every 7 counts.
 Duri – if the count last at two means two or nine or 16 lengths then he has to
place the Gilli above the backside of his middle and index finger making them
eye shape and toss the Gilli and hit it by the Danda. Then the play is same as
describe above for all other.
 Ghuran – if the count is finished in three lengths it called Ghuran. Hang the Gilli
by holding it with index and big finger and hit it by the Danda.
 Chol – it is the fourth count. Place the Gilli in the palm making palm boat shape,
toss it and hit.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages



Champa – It is fifth count. Close the fingers of the left hand. Place the Gilli above
the side of the big finger and then toss and hit.
Dhek – it is sixth count. For playing this one place one end of the Danda in
between the four fingers of the left hand keeping index and little finger below and
middle and ring finger above. Then place the Gilli above the middle and ring
finger. Hold the other end of the Danda with right hand, toss the Gilli and hit it
with the Danda.
Lanka – It is seventh count and count as point. You have to throw the Gilli by the
Danda placing it in the hole. It is as good as starting of the play.
In the process of play if the player looses the Danda from his hand and the
opponent collect it then the player is out or the opponent gets 100 points.
This game is very dangerous. In the process the Gilli can hit anyone. (Maximum
it hits the face and eye). It is required to take a safe distance during the play.
In some places when the player tosses the Gilli with Danda to earn points he can
toss the Gilli with Danda in the air for more than two times. If he tosses it three
times then the measurement should be carried out with the Gilli, but the count will
be same. If it is four times then everyone length of the Danda count one point. If
it is more than four times then everyone length of the Gilli count one point or
Lanka.
This game is like the desi version of the cricket. The Gilli is like a ball and the
Danda like a bat.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
2. Budi Basanti or Sita udhaar
This is basically a sport for the girls. But small aged boys also can take part in this
game.
Rules –
 Both the team should have equal number of players.
 Two circles are drawn in a distance of about 50 mtr. The big circle is to
accommodate all the players of a team except Sita. The small circle is to
accommodate one player, Sita. The dia of the circles are not fixed and drawn as
per the number of players in a team.
 The external boundary also does not have any shape or dimension. It is depend
upon the availability of space.
 Sita is captured by the demons of other team and kept in the small circle and
being guarded by the Demons.
 The other players of the team are in the big circle and their aim is to bring the
Sita from the captivity of the demons to the Ayodha, the big circle. If they are
successful in doing so then they win one point and if they are unsuccessful then
the other team will try the same thing and this team becomes demon.
 One player of the team A for example R/L/H chases the demons within the
boundary till the time he can hold the breath. During this the player produces
sound from mouth uninterrupted like Kabbadi. If during the chase the player
successfully touches anyone of the demons then the particular demon is out, and
he will sit outside. Remember the player must return to the Ayodha without lost
the breath. If he lost the breath before entering into the Ayodha and during that
any demon touches him then he is out.
 The team gets 5 chances to chase the demon. During the chase or any time
during the play the Sita can take chance and she can return to the Ayodha on her
own. But if any live demon touches Sita outside the circles then the game is over
for the team and the other team will play their turn.
 Two players cannot chase the demon at a time. If that happen then during that
period if any demon touches the player in spite of holding the breath the player or
players will be out.
 Only touching is allowed, no forcefully holding of players is not allowed.
 If any demon runs away outside the playing boundary during the chase then he is
out.
 A team can collect maximum 10 points at a stretch and after that the other team
will get chance.
 The team can changes the Sita during the games but not in in between single
game.
 If any player is running short of breath then he can take shelter in the room of
Sita, in the small circle. But to return to the Ayodha he can take chance at any
time, but the rule of two players will take effect. Even the player cannot return to
Ayodha by holding the breath. In case the player is unable to return to Ayodha
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
but Sita is returned then the player is out for the next games, means the team will
play without him. To alive the player the team can sacrifice one point they
collected and take him for the rest of the games.

To pause the play any team captain or player can ask for stoppage in between
for 2 minutes. During the pause Sita cannot return to the Ayodha. This pause
cannot be taken during any chase or action.
<B2>Benefits of the game</B2> – running is the main action involved with the
game. Other than running alertness and concentration is essential for this game.
The demons should have the quality to save themselves within the boundary.
3. Pittu
This game is very famous in all over the Indian villages. The game required seven
circular tiles of gradually decreasing diameter and a tennis ball. The circles or the
pittus are kept inside a circle in the manner shown below. A player of the team one
throws the ball from the line shown to break the pittus. The distance is about 10 – 15
meter. A player can get 3-5 chance to break the pittu and all the players of the team
1 will get chance like that. If the player is successful to break the pittus then after
breaking they have to rearrange the pittus inside the circle again exactly as it was.
During this team 2 collect the ball and try to hit any one of the players of the team
one before they rearrange the pittus. If team one is successful to rearrange then
they got one point and anyone of them is touched by the ball before rearrange then
team 2 will play their chance.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
It is not necessary to break all the pittus down but at least one pittu must out from
the arrangement.
4. Marble
This game is mostly played by the boys of five to twelve years of age. Round shaped
marble ball is required for this game. This game can be individual or group game.
The ground is about a 10 meter circle having a small hole in the centre. A starting
line is drawn about seven to eight meter distance from the hole or the perimeter of
the circle can be use as starting line.
The players throw the marble from the starting line towards the hole. Whosoever is
nearest to the hole or in the hole has got the chance to play first. To play the player
should place his big finger of one hand in to the ground where his marble is placed
and then hold the marble with other hand and take a spring tension by pulling back
the index or middle finger as comfortable with the marble. The tension should be so
much that when the player release the tension and marble the marble should go
and hit the opponents marble and create a distance required for that call. The calls
are 3-6-9-12-15-18 and Cut. The calls can also be made by putting the marble into
the hole.
Three – this is first call and the distance should be breadth of the four finger of the
player.
Six – the second call and distance is the distance between big and little finger of the
player while spread it maximum in length known as Chakhar.
Nine – the third call the distance is one hand means distance between elbows to the
top of middle finger of the player.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
Twelve – the fourth call. The distance should be two hands and one Chakhar of the
player.
Fifteen - the fifth call. The distance is three hand of the player.
Eighteen – the sixth call and distance is four hand of the player.
Cut – this is the point and distance is maximum width of four finger of the player.
The player who is nearest to the hole after throwing of marble will make the calls
described above by putting the marble in the whole and by hitting others marble.
He can continue hit another marble more than once to make calls but the
distance should be achieved for each call described above. If he fails to hit other
marble or fails to achieve the distance for the particular call in sequence then his
chance is over and the next nearest person who was will play is chance and this
process will be continue in rotation until the Cut or Point is achieved. The Cut or
point cannot be achieved by putting the marble into the whole. It should be
achieved by hitting the opponent’s marble only. But all other calls can be
achieved by both ways. If there is multiple players then the game will continue
until there is no opponent left. I
If it is a group game then the team whose player achieved the nearest point to
whole will play first as their will between them. After all of them finished the other
team will play. If in the team one player makes only two calls then the second
player of his team to be continue with the counting from Nine and so on. All
players should play with their own marble which they throw from the starting line.
The marble cannot be changed even within the team also.
If during making the call someone hit their own team’s marble then their one call
will be decreased. Suppose the player is trying to make call Nine and that time
he hits own team marble then next time he has to make Six and continue. But
after hitting the own team marble he will get chance to continue play. This is used
to send own team marble whose chance is next nearer to the opponent marble
so that the player can easily heat the opponent marble to earn Cut or point.
The distance is measured between the two marble hit. If any three marble hit
each other in a call then game is invalid and new game to be started. The person
or team who does this will throw all their marble first from starting point then the
other team. In normal throwing the person or team earn the Cut or point should
throw first. If during throwing a marble hit another marble then both of them will
throw again with the person hit throwing in first chance.
If during the play any marble goes out of the circle then it should be played from
the circle line.
Bell – a player can take one bell in a game. It can be taken only if he is playing
from the circle line. In Bell he has to throw the marble by hand standing on the
circle line to make a call.
In team game as soon as a team achieves the point the game ended and next
game starts.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
This game helps to improve aiming, counting and learning the table of three.
5. Steal the egg
To play this game a ground should be made as shown in the figure. It is a 15 feet
square divided into four houses. Five players are required to play this game.
In the centre of the houses a small hole is made to store four symbolic eggs. One
player is act as crow that guarded the eggs standing in any one of the centre line.
His leg should be more than 3 feet behind the egg hole. Four players standing on
four houses should try to steal the eggs. After stealing the eggs they must
distribute among them and all of them should be in their own house after the
distribution. After the distribution is over standing on the house they recite some
parody and make mockery of the crow. After the parody is finished they again
should gathered in one house. If they are successful in doing so then the game
restart again and that crow get one point. The player get minimum point is
winner.
If during play the crow touches anyone of the player then the play terminated and
the touched player become crow. The crow can run in the centre lines only, not in
the boundary lines.
One player can steal all the eggs at a time or in parts. But after that all four player
should have one egg each in their hands. During this if the egg is falls in the
house then whoever does that will become crow.
The players can not throw the egg to distribute. They should come into the house
of other to collect or distribute the eggs.
The houses are not fixed for any player. They can change the house or two
players can use one house during stealing. But after distribution one house
should have one player only.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
If any player steps outside the external square then he will become crow. But
they can keep one leg out provided other leg or any of his body part is touching
the ground inside the house at the same time.
To touch a player the crow can lift his one leg but cannot step inside the house.
He is free to run in the centre lines as will but if he is guarding the eggs in the
hole in standing position then his leg should be 3 feet away as shown in the
figure.
6. Gaddi
This game is for the children above 8 to 9 years. To play this game a sufficient big
place is required. The field is prepared and lines are drawn as shown in the figure
below. All four house situated in the ends are little bigger than the other. The houses
should be so much bigger that if a player stands on the centre of the house then he
should not be get touched by players stand on the lines. It includes maximum
stretching of hand and body with one leg up.
Green room is the room where all the players of playing team start together.
Salt room is the room where a player gets license or the map to collect the hidden
treasure.
Runner line is the centre line along which the main player known as Runner runs
and keeps guarding the roads to the treasure.
Gaddi is the place where the treasure is hidden.
This game is a team game and two teams play at a time. One team guards the
treasure and other team tries to collect it and bring it to the Green room. The number
of player should be minimum of three and maximum total number of lines plus one.
(In figure it is 5+1)
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
The team playing first gathers in the green room. The team guarding stands on the lines
as shown in the 2nd figure. The strongest player should be act as Runner and he should
guard along the centre line.
To start the game a player of the team playing first will go to the 2 nd row house through
salt room. Then he starts counting 1-2-3 as he changes the house of 2nd row. That means
the house in front of salt room will count 1 and 3, the house situated in front of green
room counts 2. As soon as the licensed man counts three the play starts. The players in
the green room try to escape from that house to any of the three near by houses and the
guards try to touch them during this.
All the players have to move out from the green room before the treasure is collected.
They have to move to all the houses. To be licensed to collect the treasure a player
should go to the Salt room and all the houses of one side before collecting the treasure. It
is not required for all the players to be licensed or to touch each house in game. But the
players who bring the back the treasure to the green room should be licensed and he
must touch all the houses. It is not necessary that the players who collect the treasure
and bring the treasure back are same person. But the treasure should be handed over.
During collection of treasure no player should be in the Green room.
A player must touch all the houses of any one side and the Salt room to collect the
treasure.
To bring the treasure back to green room a player must touch all the rooms and should
be licensed.
During collecting the treasure the runner can guard the treasure standing in a distance of
about one meter as shown in the figure.
During the movements of the players if any guard touches any players including the
cloths then the play is terminated and the team guarding get their chance.
The guards cannot change their line during play. They can use only the centre lines but
not the border lines.
During touching any of the leg of the guard should not be in the house or outside the
playing area, it can be in the air. But one leg should be in the line he is guarding.
The guards can move out of the play area to restrain the momentum, but after touching
he should be steady in his line.
The players playing for treasure should not go out play area totally. If any player goes out
of play area then the game terminated
The players can move from any house to any house but after they are out from green
room they cannot come back to that room without treasure. In case any player enters in
the green room without treasure during play then the play is terminated.
This game involved lot of concentration, running, jumping, speeds, accuracy and
coordination.
Another version of this game is also there. When there is less number of players then the
play is converted to ‘Chiching funk’. In this game only Runner is there. He has to guard
the treasure alone. He can use any line and any house of the Green room side (open
house) to touch any player. The players should run through the house which is open.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
They should not use the Salt room to exit from the green room. All the other rules are
same as the above.
7. Round Round run away
This game is for the small kids. To play this game one solid pole is required in the
centre of a circular field. This is also a team game.
Member s of one team holds each other’s hands and continue rotates in a circular
path. One end of the team is fixed in the pole. The player of that end tightly holds the
pole with one hand. They rotate continuously as shown in the figure.
The members of the other team stands outside the circle in safe distance so that the
rotating cannot touch them.
The rotating players try to escape out of the outer circle one by one. But the guards
try to hold them. If a player after leaving the hand of the rotating net is touched by
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
any guard within the ground then the play is terminated. If all of the rotating
members’ escapes untouched then the team got one point.
During the rotation if a guard is touched by the intact rotating train then that guard is
dead and he is out for that game. That means the guarding team then play with a
player less. And this is applied till the last guard is alive.
The rotating trains length can be shrunken or widen by the players as their strategy
of the game by running close and spreading the hands length.
During rotation the players should recite some parody like ‘round round run away’.
This game involves running, common sense, sudden speed up, and opportunities.
8. Lal and Nil lathi
This game is also for the small kids. In this game each participant has one blue
colored Lathi or stick. It is almost like English one in shape as shown in the picture
below. The weight of the stick is as per the child’s own choice. The players have to
bring their own stick.
All the players will throw this stick from a starting point like modern javelin throw.
After all of them finishes the distance is measured by seeing. The player who throws
least distance then becomes the guard. Then he has given the red stick. This red
and blue is symbolic and in actual the players own stick then become red stick. Then
he stands on the starting line with his both hands up and holding free his sticks
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
9. Kith kith
This game is normally played by the small girls. In this game as shown in the figure
the line drawn in the ground with the help of a charcoal. The round shaped Guti or
Chakti is made up from a piece of broken earthen pot. The player is started from the
starting line. First she has to throw the Chakti into the first house. It should not touch
any line. Then she has to lift her one leg and starts the game continue making kith
kith noise from the mouth. With one leg she has to enter into the first house and with
the help of the leg which she is using (not the lifted leg) pushes the Chakti out from
the house towards the starting point. In that time she should not touch any line or the
Chakti should not stop in the line. After that she followed the line shown in the figure
with one leg and from the last house she has to jump over to the thrown Chakti.
Remember she has to touch the Chakti by leg at finishing/starting point.
Likewise she has to perform this for all the eight houses. During this if she is in any
fault then the other will get her chance and vice versa.
After finishing the eight houses she has to go to the fourth house with one leg and
stand there with both legs. While in both leg she need not to make noise or she can
take normal breath. In fourth room she has to stand facing towards the starting point
and through the Chakti behind. Then she has to close her eyes and make an arch
behind like Chakrasan and keeping support of one hand she has to find the Chakti.
Remember during throwing of Chakti she has to just drop it so that it is remain within
the reach of the hand. It should not drop inside the house or in the line. After finding
the Chakti she then stand up and turn around facing opposite to the starting point.
Then she again throws the Chakti overhead targeting anyone house. If the Chakti
fell into any house correctly then she again start noise and with one leg reach to the
house just previous to the house where the Chakti is fell. Then she bends forward,
collect the Chakti and make a cross in the house she occupies. Then she takes a
break in the house with both leg down and breaking the breath. Then again she
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
cross the remaining house with one leg and Making the noise and finishes at the
starting and finishing point.
Now the house belongs to her and she can take rest on that house during next play.
During the continuation of play the players should not perform the initial stage for the
occupied houses. The opponent has to jump over the house belongs to other. If the
opponent occupies two adjacent houses and it is difficult for a player to jump two
houses at a time with one leg then she can borrow some part of the house as shown
in the figure with green colour. This part is used only for crossing, not for rest or
occupies or plays. The game finishes when all the house is occupied. The fourth
houses should occupy at last. Whoever occupies more number of houses is winner.
This game helps the child to build up strength, balance, breathing, concentration,
throwing, coordination etc.
10.
Lukochuri
Lukochuri is a popular game and often played by the children in different forms. In
this game one person is to search for the remaining persons who are hiding in the
different places. The searcher will tie his or her eyes for five minutes. During this
other players hide in the places which is difficult to find but within a define boundary
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
like within the house or building etc. After five minutes the children who are in hide
should make a noise or sound to give the searcher hints that they are in hide and
probable location of their hide. They give the sounds after that also but only to give
hints. The first person revealed by the searcher will be searcher for the next time.
But he has to find all the person before change over. If he is unable to find all within
a specific time then he got minus one point and if he is successful then plus one
point. But the searcher will change even if he is unable to find all of them.
If he is unable to find anyone of the hider then the searcher will not changes and it
will be continue up to ten times. After each lost game he will be called as follows by
others.
One – anda/ egg
Two – cow
Three – tuti/parrot
Four - chor/ thief
Five - ullu/ owl
Six – chata/ handicap
Seven – sutta/ drunkard-drug addict
Eight – Antua/childless
Nine – Nongra/ unhygienic
Ten – Daimra/ Unique (in a bad sense)
These parodies are different from place to place and spontaneously invented by the
children. These are just examples.
This game helps the child to improve their audibility. They learn to count from one to
ten. They also learn the above mentioned parodies which are not to be, or which is
very bad to become.
11.
Jump over me
This game is a village version of the modern High Jump. To play this game,
minimum four players is required. The players are divided in two groups minimum
two in a group. Two players sit in the ground with one leg stretch forward and other
leg fold and facing each other so that their foots touches each other.
The other players then jump over their legs. During jump absolutely no body part
should touch the players sited.
After everybody clear the first hurdle the players raise their leg one above another,
means the heel of the other leg should be placed above the toe of the first leg. Then
the same way opponent teams’ players jump over one by one.
Then they placed one hand above both leg. They have to place their big finger
above the second leg toe and the little finger should stretch as high as possible.
They players jumping should jump over the centre, means over the little finger not
through the side.
Same way the other hand also used to raise the height.
After that if every players of the opponent team clears all the hurdle then the two
players sited will spread their both leg to make a oval. Then the opponent players
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
run and jump like triple jump. They have to place only one leg in between the oval
and run from one side to another.
If they are successful in doing that then they earns one point. If any player of the
team is unsuccessful to clear any of the hurdles or touches the players making
hurdle during jump then the play terminated and the player in fault will then make the
hurdle with his pair and the game restarted.
This game involved high jump, triple jump, running as well as stretching exercises.
The players making hurdle also to concentrate on balancing their legs and hands to
maintain maximum height.
12.
Kanamachi Blind fold
This is also a popular sport. In this game anybody can participate. This game
involved lots of fun and enjoyment.
In this game one person is act as blind or Kana. He has to tie his eyes with the help
of a hanky or Chunri (part of dress of a girl). Then he or she has to find or touch the
other persons playing by following their sound of parody or song or any kind of
noise. The other players should be nearby within the reach of a quick action and
continue singing any song or recite a parody like “kanamachi bhon bhon, jo bhi mile
usko chon” “the blind fly making noise Bhon Bhon touch anyone of us if you can “.
As soon as the blind man touches anyone the person then changeover and that
person become blind. This process continue, continue fun and enjoyment.
This game gives lot of enjoyment and fun. Above that it helps to develop the reaction
process of the nerve system, coordination with the ear.
13.
Collect the leaves
In this game the Host or called as the “Budi” asks the other to collect leaf of a certain
tree or grass or bush etc. all other player should collect the leaf and come back to
the host as soon as possible. The person who come last or bring leaf of any other
tree will act as host in the next time. In case two or more players bring the wrong leaf
the person who comes first with wrong leaf will act as host.
This game helps the child to recognize the tree. They learn about the nature. They
have to know the location or probable location of a certain tree or grass which is very
rare. Running is also a part of the game.
14.
Cock fight
Cock fight is a popular game for boys. It can be one to one or a group game. In one
to one game both the players are fight to each other inside a circle of about five
meter dia. They have to lift one leg bend behind from the knee and hold it with the
same hand. If it is left leg then hold with left hand and if right then with right hand.
Keep the other hand in the opposite shoulder so that the elbow of that hand will be in
front of chest. Then push the other player with shoulder only and try to push him
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
down. If the leg of the player touches ground or the player fell down or pushed out of
the ring then the game is finish and the other player is considered as winner.
In a group game all the player will be started inside the circle and whoever is fell
down will be out. The last person who remains intact will be winner. In this case
anybody can fight with anybody like WWF game.
This sport gives strength, common sense, and balance to the child.
15.
Kancha
This is also a version of the marble. This game is played with the small glass balls
available in the market. Two players can play this game. A player keeps his Kancha
or Ball in a point fixed by them. The other player throws his ball from the starting line
to hit the Kancha. If he is successful to heat then he will take the Kancha hitted and
a new Kancha will be put by the opponent. If the player is unable to heat then he will
put his Kancha in the point and other player will get his chance.
This game helps to improve aiming and coordination.
16.
Kumbhir danga or Crocodile haunt.
This game is played by very small kids. One of them acts as Crocodile. This game is
normally played in a temple Veranda. The crocodile guarded a place marked as the
water area below the Varanda. The other kids are act as human and they stay in the
Varanda. They have to go to the water in between to fetch the water. During this if the
crocodile touches anyone of them then the player become crocodile and the process
continue. The children should go to the water and recite some parody like “oh crocodile
I am coming to fetch the water, catch me if you can” and make some mockery of the
crocodile.
All players should go to the water repeatedly in turn to give fare chance to touch him.
This game helps to improve attentiveness, cleverness, speed and sudden reaction as
well as physical exercise.
17.
Chakti/ safety pin/match box/cigrate packet
This game is also played by the small male children. They all should have one
Chakti or round shaped flat tiles dia about two inch. Each player keeps their Chakti
in a safe distance from other. The players who played first can aim to throw his
Chakti near to any other players Chakti. If it falls within a Chakhar (distance between
big and little finger while spread maximum. It is about six inch) then he will get one
safety pin or the square portion of a empty match box or cigarette packet (printed
with some nice photo like Char miner, Red fort, Taj Mahal, parachute etc), from the
player whose Chakti is aimed. If after throwing the distance is more than the
described then he has to give.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
The throwing sequence can be decided at the starts by lottery. After playing the
player has the right to throw his Chakti anywhere he wants so that nobody can easily
aim his Chakti. But he has to throw from that place only. He cannot carry it by hand.
This game is also helps to improve the aiming and accuracy. The child also learns to
recognize the famous things like Char miner, Tajmahal, Parachute and their value.
18.
Tree monkey squirrel
This game is for little big children. Normally this game is played in a banyan tree or
peepal tree. One person is acting as squirrel and others monkey. The squirrel has to
guard a piece of wood and the monkeys try to fetch it. The wood is kept in the
bottom of the tree and the squirrel guard it. The monkeys have to be in the tree and
would try to take the possession of the wood. The monkey can use the ground only
up to the area the branches of the tree spreads. If nay player run beyond that then
he will become squirrel. During taking possession or running if the squirrel touches
any monkey then that player become squirrel and the game continue. If the monkeys
successfully steal the wood piece then that squirrel got one point and whoever got
the least point is winner of the game.
This game is very dangerous in terms of climbing the tree and run around in the
branches of the tree. Sometimes the players have to climb the tree through
branches and very fast to avoid got touched. Sometimes they have to jump from one
branch to another or to the ground.
A lot of strength and flexibility and accuracy are required to play this game. This
game is known as cowboy’s game. Normally the cowboys after leaving the cows to
graze in the field gathered together under a Banyan tree and play this game.
19.
Golla chut
This game is also for the little kids. All needed is a wall and some place to run
around. One person guards some area of the wall and others try to touch that
portion. If during the process they come in physical contact with the guard then that
person become guard and the play continue.
Indoor games
20.
<B2>Raja Rani Chor Chowkidar/ King Queen Thief Police</B2>
This game is a indoor game and played by four players. Four square white papers, a
scoreboard paper and a pen or pencil is required to play this game. In the four square
paper following is written
Paper1 – Raja/king 1000 points
Paper2 – Rani/queen 800 points
Paper3 – Chowkidar/Police 600 points
Paper4 – Chor/Thief 400 points.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
These four papers then folded neatly so that nobody can recognize what is written
inside. Then in turn one player throws these four papers and each of them collected
one paper each.
Then whoever got the third paper written Police will declare and he has to guess
who is the Chor or Thief. If he guesses right then the player who is Thief will get zero
point and all other will get the point what is written in his paper. If the Police is
unable to find the Chor then he will get zero and others as written. In next game
Raja will find Rani and the rule for point is same. This finding process is alternate for
Raja and Police and declares by the player who is throwing the papers.
The scores are written in a paper under each player’s name. At the end of the play
the players got maximum point is declared as King or Raja the second position as
Queen or Rani, the third position as Police and the last as Thief or Chor.
This game helps the child to develop guessing power and learn calculation and
math.
21.
Tiger goat
This is an indoor game and played by the children above 10 years. This game is like
chess. In this game there are total 20 goats and 2 tigers placed as shown in the
figure. The lines can be drawn in the floor of the house by a piece of chalk. One
player plays for the goats and other for tiger. The tiger should try to eat the goats
and finishes them. The goats should try to restrict the movement of the tigers. Once
all the goats are finished the play finishes with the win of tiger side. If the goats are
able to restrict the total movements of tiger then the win is for goat side.
The tiger can eat a goat by jumping over them throw a straight line if that point is
empty. If two goats are sitting in a series then the tiger cannot eat them.
The tiger cannot eat multiple goats at a time, only one goat is allowed at a time.
The game is started with the movement of the goat first. Then the tiger. Goat can
move only to the next point. But the tiger can move two points at a time while eating
a goat. That means if there is a goat in front of a tiger and the third point is empty
then the tiger jump over the goat to the third point and eat that goat.
The movement is alternate for goat and tiger respectively.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
22.
Goat war
This is also an indoor game. Each player has 16 goats each. The goats are placed in
the field as shown in the figure below. This game is also like chess and tiger goat.
The difference between the Tiger goat and the Goat war is that here the multiple
killing is allowed. Here one has to kill all the goats of the opponent or restrict the
movement to win the game. The player can kill a goat if the opponent’s goat is placed
just next point to his goat and the third point in the line is empty. Then he has to shift
his goat to the third point and take the opponents goat out. It can be multiple killing if
after killing one goat the same condition is meets again. It may not be straight line. It
is shown in the 2nd figure.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
23.
Cross zero
This game is also a mind game and indoor game. This can be play by two players.
To play this game makes the table having three rows and three columns. One player
puts his sign in a cell and then the other player. Whoever put three signs in a straight
line first is winner. The aim of the player should try to put the sign of his own and at
the same time prevent the other to make it. The starting of the play is alternate.
24.
Kadi
Four in no small dry Chaina sea shell is used to play this game. The player has to
throw all four together. If all of them are upside down then the player got eight
points. If all of them are open mouth then any player can collect them quickly and
got four points for each shell the player collected. If two of them are upside down
then the player playing should push one of them with finger so that it touches any
other shell. But both of them should not be open mouth and should not touch more
than one. If that happens or the player fails to hit the targeted shell then his chance
ended. For every target the player hit he got one point. If three shells are open
mouth then the play terminated. The player collects maximum points is winner of the
game.
25.
Nachan guti/ Dancing Stone
This is a girl child’s game. This game often played by the girl children. This is also a
indoor game. To play this game five small stone of round shape is required.
This game has four stages. Two players or three players sit together facing each
other around a small circle.
Ekar - In the first stage the player spread all five stones together in the playing circle.
She should make sure that they fall in considerable distance from each other. Then
she picks up one of them as wish. After that she throws or dances the stone
upwards and picks another stone with that hand and then catch the stone she
thrown with that hand only. She has to do all this while sitting. Only stretching of
hand is allowed. Likewise she picks up all four stones in same process by dancing
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
one stone. She has to perform this five times. She should not keep the stones
elsewhere. The stones should be always in her hand which she picked up. During
picking up she should not touch any other stone which is lying there. Failing to
collect the stone, or pick up or touched other stone or falling of stone from hand
terminated the play and the next person get her chance. All the stages should be
performed for five times except the last stage.
Duar – in this stage she has to pick two stones at a time.
Tinar – she must pick up three stones in first attempt and one stone in second
attempt.
Nachan – In this stage she has to dance or throw all the stones upwards during
picking up of a stone. For example after picking up one stone she plays like Ekar
and pick up another stone then she should throw both the stones in her hand to pick
up another stone and then catch both of the dancing stone. In this stage she cannot
pick up two stones at one attempt.
Tree – This is like Duar. She should pick up a pair of stone and keep them in a place
in the circle. Then she must pick up remaining two and keep them in another place.
This process continues for fourth time and in fifth she must keep all four together
and then pick all four up. Then she has to throw all five of them above and collect
them with the backside of palm of both hands together and then throw them again
and collect them with the palm. In this process if she collected all five then her point
rise by five if four then by four and so on. If she is able to collect five then she
continue to play the last stage or Tree. If she collects four then she has to play from
fourth stage and so on. If she does not want to play then next person will get chance
to play her turn. The player will not get any point then. In next turn that player can
play the last step of Tree, five stone in hand throw one and keep rest four in ground
and then again throw the stone and collect all four.
26.
Satgharia/Seven holes
This game is also a mathematical game and it helps the child to improve counting.
Seven holes are made on both sides as shown in the figure. Two players 1 and 2 sit
facing each other. Each hole contains four stones.
In the first instance one player starts the game from his or her holes only. She can
choose any of the seven holes of his or her side. The player then shifts all four
stones of that hole to the next hole in anti clockwise direction as shown in the
second figure. When there is an empty hole then she collects the stones just next to
that empty hole. Then the second player starts his or her turn. She can also choose
any hole containing stones to start with in her side. She picks up all the stones and
start distributing them in anticlockwise direction in one stone to each hole. After
finishing the distribution if there are stones in the next hole then she should pick
them and continue distributing until there is an empty whole remaining after finishing
the distribution. She then gets the stones placed in the hole just after the empty hole.
If there is no stone in that hole then she should not get anything. Thus the play
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
continues alternately until one player is in the absence of any stone in her houses
while her turn comes. Then the other player can collected remaining stones in her
houses.
After finishes they again keep the stones in their own houses four in each house.
The player who collects less stone can borrow up to three stones from opponent to
fill her house. If it is four then one house of that player shall be closed. Thus the play
continues until all the house of a player closes completely.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
27.
Diwali bhukka
This is also a small kid’s game. Normally this game is played during the festival
Diwali. The Dia is used for this game the children have to secretly make three heap
of sand or soil. A Dia is kept hidden in one of these three heaps. Other child should
correctly guess in which heap the Dia is kept. If he guesses it correctly then he will
get that Dia. Then alternately the other child will hide his Dia.
28.
Musical baton.
This is the most popular indoor family games. This is a home version of the game
musical chair. This game often plays during family gathering. Most of the family
members take part in this game. To play this game a music player and a baton is
required. Often a household item like pillow is used as a baton. All the players’ seats
together making round shape facing each other. Then a popular music is being play
in the music player. All the members together sing the song and pass the baton to
the next person. A music controller controls the music. The music controller
suddenly stops the music in between. That time whoever is in the possession of the
baton is out from the game. He has to perform something in front of everybody like
singing, dancing, and dialogue, magic, crack a joke or any type of item for the
enjoyment of everybody. Sometimes the other members ask the player to perform
certain things for which the player is known for. This is totally an entertainment
game. The last person not out is the winner and he or she too has to perform at the
last. In many Indian Hindi film this game is used in a nice way.
29.
Antakshari
This game is also an entertainment game. This game also plays during family
gathering or during picnic or combine journey. This can be plays in group or
individual. The players have to sing a song started with the last alphabet of the song
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
sung by the previous player. The player should start the song as it started in the
original. He or she can not start it from in between.
Some time if any player is unable to sing a song starting with a rare alphabet then
name of Movie starting with that alphabet can be taken. If the end alphabet of a song
is such that there is no song starting with that alphabet then the second last alphabet
should be taken and so on.
At least one stanza of the song should be sing. There is a time limit to start the song.
The opponent can count from one to ten to alert the time. All the members of a team
should sing together to make it more generous and enjoyable.
In family movies this game often use effectively.
30.
Ikid mikid cham chikid
This is very small kids game. The children sit around a table with their fingers spread
in the table. A monitor is decided first hand who can efficiently count the words in a
rhyme. The monitor places only one hand so that he or she can count with the other
hand. The counting is always clockwise direction. The monitor starts a rhyme and
with this he starts counting the fingers, one finger with one word, starting from the
big finger of his left hand with continuation to the next persons little finger of right
hand. All the children recite the poem or rhyme together with continue counting.
Where the last word of the rhyme falls will be the safe finger. That finger of the child
then bends and then the next poem starts from the next finger. In repeat count the
fingers which is already bend should be excluded from counting. When all the
fingers of a person is safe then the player is safe and out from the game but he can
continue recite the rhyme. The last finger left is decided as looser of the game.
This game helps the children to learn rhyme or poem as well as a clear idea of
words in a sentence. The poems can be anything starting from “twinkle twinkle little
star” to a self made poem or folk tale. One popular tale is like
Ikid mikid cham chikid,
Cham ko mara majumdar,
Bhag ke aye Damodar,
Damodar ki bartan handi,
Todh dale marke dandi.
Bol ke gaye Zamindar
Kar do sabki arr e parr.
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The endangered childhood Sports of Indian villages
Water sports
31.
Dub santar/ touch in the water
This is a water sports. It can be played in a pond or lake or in the river which is safe.
The players must be able to swim. In this game one player is made as crocodile and
others fish. The crocodile has to catch any of the fish. He can take a dip and swim
underwater silently to reach any of the fish suddenly. If he able to touch the fish then
that player becomes crocodile and the play continue. During the play the area of the
play is marked fixed in the river. No player is allowed to cross the boundary. No
player is allowed to go out of water. They always need not to swim continuously.
They can stand or roam in shallow water.
This game helps to learn swim, hold breath, and find direction underwater.
30