Design Resource
Indian Games
Culture of Play
by
Introduction
Games are a part of Indian history and its diverse culture. A wide variety of games is known to be played across all regions in India through generations by people of all ages. The inscriptions on the temple floors and walls and references to traditional games in the epics and mythological stories depict the culture of playing games as an important activity in Indian society. Games in India are played not just to fulfil the social need but also to teach important values like planning, strategizing, leadership, teamwork, perseverance, tolerance etc.
Indian games have evolved significantly over thousands of years. Many of the traditional games are no more played in cities where outdoor space is a constraint and are only played in the rural areas of the country. Some of these traditional games that require minimal equipment are now ironically termed as “Street Games,” and are played by people who are unable to purchase games from the market. Games like Chess, Snakes and Ladder, Ludo, etc. are believed to have originated in India and then transmitted to other countries where they were further modified into the present-day version. Furthermore, various new games have been introduced into the culture to suit the current need of society like Doctor Doctor Help Us, Carrom, January February, etc.
However, one thing common with all games is that they are designed to provide enjoyment while developing both physical and mental skills. They are used as tools to improve concentration, hand-eye coordination, motor skills, sensory skills, logical thinking, strategy-building skills and math skills. Most importantly, games provide a mode of interaction among people of varied generations.
