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Design Resource
Indian Games
Culture of Play
by
Doctor Doctor Help us
Introduction:
Doctor Doctor Help Us is a comparatively new game in the encyclopedia of games played in India that involves a lot of confusion and physical movement. The game is much enjoyed by children of varied age groups of 4 to 12 year olds. This game requires a minimum of 4 players and is more enjoyable with a larger group of 6 or more players.
How to Play:
One child acts as a denner/doctor and sits away from the other players facing backwards with their eyes closed and counts slowly till ten. Meantime the other players hold hands forming a circle and getting entangled in multiple ways to create complex loop. They then call the doctor by shouting out loud "Doctor Doctor Help Us." The doctor comes and tries to disentangle the structure to get them back to form a circle holding hands. During the play lot of noise is created as the doctor at times complicates the structure than resolving it resulting into hands of the players twisting and turning in all directions. Once the puzzle is solved the players run away from the doctor. The players are chased by the doctor and the first player caught in this process of catching becomes the next ‘doctor.’ The game continues to be played in the same manner.
Conclusion:
The game builds interaction between players as they become one entity and try confusing the denner/doctor with their tricks. It helps players to understand the minds of the other participants and teaches them to work together towards a common goal. It hones child’s ability to strategize and lead.
