The pre
generation z era saw a bounty of games that the children played after returning
home from school, in the evening. We could hear the crackle of laughter that
spread throughout the playground aka the war zone for a child and when the kids dragged themselves back
exhausted, parents knew that they were drained out of energy and would sleep peacefully
at night.
Now the
sounds have replaced the roaring/clicking of games that are being played
online. The pandemic has just increased the hankering for these virtual online
games, with better developed graphics and storyline. Not only were these simple
outdoor games crucial for the physical growth of the children but also pivotal
for the social developmental skill of the child.
Langdi Taang:
There isn’t
anyone who might be unfamiliar with this, rule were pretty simple, one fellow
is the chaser would have to hop on one leg and try to tag as many opponents as
possible (when played without rules). This built quite a lot of stamina, not so
much that one leg looked more beefed up than the other but it was good way to
waste our energy and gather new friends along the way.
Chuppam Chappi:
Also known
as hide-n-seek (not the cookies) for the English speaking natives. Again rules
were pretty much elementary the ‘seeker’ counts up to a certain number (could be ten
or hundred depending upon the seekers mood to cheat) while the rest of them
hides. The first person caught would be given the golden opportunity to become
the next seeker. It’s a fun way to while away time, until all of the player know a good place
to hide, then it’s just a drag.
Pithu or
Lagori:
Played among
two teams where you need to stack flat stones that has been knocked down by the
ball thrown by your teammates, while trying to doge the ball thrown by the
opponents. God forbid the opponent has some unknown grudge/vengeance on their
mind, they’ll be pelting down that ball at you like actual stones and even a
tennis ball hits hard when thrown from afar with all one's might. Ouch! fist
fight may breakout often enough.
Gilli Danda:
A poor man’s
cricket or baseball, delivers the same amount of fun that too with just sticks.
Again played off between two team with a small tapered piece of wood that act
as the ball or gilli and the bat known as danada. Instead of throwing the
gilli, the person batting would strike the gilli placed in a dent on the ground
and try to hit it as far as possible, while the fielder try to catch it before
it hits the ground.
Kho-Kho:
Although it
is has become an international game, its a primary component of our childhood games.
Rules are basic, eight/six (if played non-professionally) player will be
crouching in a straight line, facing opposite directions while one of them
would be chasing the opposite team. The team that eliminate the opponents
faster wins.
Lattu:
The India yo-yo with a twist, looked upon with awe and wonderment by the spectators, had massive followers (in today lingo) back in day. To play this you need not require many members and can be played alone as well. It is known by many colloquial names depending on which state you play the game in, it has a wooden top that is mounted on a nail around which the string is wrapped and then released in such a manner that it starts spinning the moment it hits the ground. You needed some practice to gain mastery over the craft.
It’s always a trip down the memory lane when we read/ hear about the games you once played, these outdoor games although are not completely forgotten but have taken a backseat for some innovative version of the same.
