Life Lessons Learned from Traditional Games by Vinita Sidhartha
Games are often associated with children, but this perspective overlooks the rich history of traditional games played by people of all ages across ancient civilizations, including India. These games have been a part of life for people from all walks of life. One person dedicated to studying, researching, and popularizing these traditional games is Ms Vinita Sidhartha. Her company, Kreeda Games, has been instrumental in reviving many traditional games that were on the brink of extinction.
I recently had the privilege of attending her presentation on “Life Lessons Learned from Traditional Games” at the Tagore Auditorium in Chennai, organized by the Chennai International Centre. For an hour, she captivated the audience with the diversity and history of games that are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old, some of which remain familiar to us today.
Ms Vinita emphasized the difference between common and shared experiences. Watching a movie with family or friends is a common experience, but playing a board game together is a shared experience that fosters relationships and strengthens bonds. Traditional games, much like online games, create a “magic circle” where players can immerse themselves, leaving behind the mundane aspects of everyday life. This immersion brings joy and laughter, enhancing group enjoyment.
Chess is widely recognized as a strategic game that sharpens the mind. Similarly, many traditional games encourage strategic thinking and decision-making in a risk-free environment, unlike real life where mistakes can be costly. These games help develop the mental muscles needed for strategic thinking and tough decision-making, akin to physical exercise.
In traditional games, the elimination of a game piece or an opponent’s piece may seem violent, but it reflects life’s realities. Life is unpredictable and challenging, and these games teach us to make tough decisions, sacrifices, and courageous moves, skills that are equally applicable in real life.
Ms Vinita categorized traditional games into Strategy, Synergy, and Survival, providing numerous examples for each of them. Among them were Panch Kone, played on a five-pointed star-shaped board, and Solah Seedi, a battlefield game where victory is possible even with a single remaining piece, teaching perseverance and stamina. Kattam Vilayattu — III, a variation of the three-in-a-row game, offers opportunities for quick thinking, and many more.
She also discussed Chaupad, a game popular in many countries, and its unlikely connection to the Mahabharata’s Saguni, despite some illustrations suggesting otherwise. Chess, historically a game for elites and royals, was often crafted from expensive materials like marble and ivory.
A detailed discussion on Parama Pada Sopanam, known in the West as Snakes and Ladders, highlighted its universal theme. In this game, snakes symbolize life’s vices represented figuratively by the characters, while ladders represent virtues. The longest snake, “ Takshaka,” which sends players back to the start, illustrates the danger of arrogance, drawing from the Mahabharata’s story of King Parikshit and his demise due to a snake bite from the curse of a sage. This is where the English expression “ back to square one “ originates, as the longest snake brings you back to the starting point.
Finally, she highlighted the “Top” or Bambaram in Tamil, which remains upright even on a slanted board, symbolizing the importance of honesty and integrity in life’s challenging situations. If you wish to learn more about these games, visit the Kreeda Games website or buy the book titled “Just Play” by Vinita Sidhartha.
Originally published at https://venkatarangan.com on October 26, 2024.
