Design Resource
Indian Games
Culture of Play
by
Chidiya Udd
Introduction:
Chidiya Udd is a quick indoor game played between two or more children of varied age groups. The words ‘Chidiya Udd’ translates to ‘fly away bird.’ The game is a childhood favorite and can be played by a huge group.
How to Play:
Children sit in a close circle with their index fingers kept at a common point. One child becomes the leader and shouts a name - it can be an object, person, living or non-living followed by the word Udd (fly) like in “Elephant Udd, Parrot Udd, Balloon Udd, etc.” This is combined with a gesture of moving the index finger up in the air and bringing it back to rest. To this all players react by either raising their index finger or choosing not to raise it. The decision is made on the fact whether the name announced can fly in real or not. If it can, then all the players raise their fingers up along with the leader; otherwise, they sit still. Players are out of the game on two conditions either they do not raise their finger for a flying name or they raise their finger for a non-flying name. The game continues with every time the leader shouting a new name randomly until all players are out of the game. Kids take turns to become the leader for subsequent rounds of the games played.
Conclusion:
The game builds mental alertness and decision-making skills. It tests the knowledge of what flies and what does not and also offers good social interaction among the players. This game also enhances leadership quality.
