Lost in oblivion: TRADITIONAL GAMES

First thing first, we are not talking about the games played on phones or Xbox. In every corner of the world, the decreasing popularity of games, both indoor and outdoor, among youngsters is a matter of grave concern. While we are so rigid about keeping our culture and traditions intact, it puts us under scanner that why our principles changes when it comes to our traditional games and sports, after all they too are an important part of our culture. It is unfortunate that Kids of this generation are becoming more mechanical in their thoughts, owing to lack of interaction not only with people around but their surroundings too. Problems can be attributed to an array of factors, but the solutions sometime lie in very simple things. And these issues almost beg to direct our attention to something that is a part of our culture, our traditional games and sports, not only bringing happiness but refreshing our body and mind as it provides for good physical as well as mental exercise. Our state has a few rare traditional games lost in oblivion, like they never existed. 'Garchale', 'Kanche', 'Gilli-Danda' and many more games have already vanished while many more are at the brink of getting extinct.

'Chukodu' is one such conventional indoor game, which has almost vanished. It is thus not much surprising that only a few among this generation are aware about it. A wonderful experience when played with friends and family, this game was formulated to get rid of the monotony of life, in absence of any alternative source of entertainment years ago. A very enjoyable game because of its simplicity, sadly today there remain only a few families who are fond of it and rejoice playing it almost every holiday or at idle time. In times where kids are glued to virtual world in their addiction for Television, Video games, mobile phones and computers, such a game can surely show them a glimpse of fun they are missing out on.

Introducing a new game in family, especially the one played by our forefathers can draw interests of kids. 'Chukodu' is acknowledged as a stress buster by families which still play it as it can provide you the happy time with family, even in tiring schedules. It can take away your attention from problems of daily life, giving you time to relax and enjoy with your dear ones. As it is correctly said, "Family is which lives together, eats together, feels happy and sad together. A family is which plays together and so stays together."

Another disappearing traditional outdoor game is 'Santoliya'. Having its name derived from 'Saat', Hindi for 'seven', it is an outdoor game comprising of seven stacked blocks. However, even this game has lost its charm amidst children. Though most of us are aware of it, but being engrossed in our lives, we hardly play this game; a game that can be really helpful to bring children out of digital world and experience reality; bring them out of the bubble of their room, smell in the fresh air, feel heat of sun, cold or rain and exercise their muscles which otherwise are being junked by prolonged sitting in front to televisions and computers.

Most of our fondest memories of our childhood and early age are the times we had fun. And it is usually the time we spent playing in sun in the ground, rocking paper boats in the rain and playing while eating snacks inside our warm room in winters. Almost all of the 21st century folks have tales of their childhood amusements to tell. But today's kids are losing both their merriment and childhood, feeding on heavy books and endless syllabus, reckless competition, Television and computer as well, getting stressed out by competition in both education and sports. In times like these, games, real and not virtual, go a long way in enriching the bonds between the kids, shaping them to be competitive in a healthy manner, teaching them the difference between their goals and a rat race.

It is important to pace up with this fast running world but it is leading to over- exertion. Kids need a solution to cope and here we realize what we are losing. Being elders, it is a responsibility to carry not only traditions but traditional games to our children. Traditional Games, often assumed to be waste of time and deemed as uninteresting as compared to today's digital games, are the engine savor of kids machinery worn out by the increasing burden and unhealthy life style. If given a thought, it's not hard to realize that introducing a traditional game to your kids and accompanying them playing it, can be a solution to many problems. So next time you find some spare time, don't forget to relive these wonderful games.