Traditional Indian street games
These are the games Indian kids played on streets, verandahs and back benches in the 80s and 90s, before phones: a ring of marbles in the dirt, a top spinning on its nail, seeds sown round a wooden board, a stack of stones knocked flat. Each one changes a little from town to town, so most have several names. Here are all 14, with the rules most streets agree on.
All 14 are in Vilayo, a free Android game that plays offline, in English, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada.
Goli (Marbles)
Goli is the marble game of Indian streets: a ring scratched in the dirt, a handful of glass marbles and a shooter flicked from the fingertips. Also called Kanche, Goti. How to play Goli.
Pambaram (Spinning Top)
Pambaram is the wooden spinning top of South Indian streets: a pear-shaped top with an iron nail at its tip, a length of string, and a ring drawn on the ground. Also called Lattu, Buguri. How to play Pambaram.
Gilli Danda (Tip-Cat)
Gilli Danda is played with two sticks: a short gilli, tapered at both ends, and a long danda to strike it. Also called Kitti Pullu, Chinni Dandu, Kuttiyum Kolum, Viti Dandu, Gooti Billa. How to play Gilli Danda.
Pallanguzhi
Pallanguzhi is a Tamil board game of sowing and capturing, part of the mancala family played around the world. Also called Ali Guli Mane, Vamana Guntalu, Kuzhipara. How to play Pallanguzhi.
Book Cricket
Book Cricket is the back-bench game of Indian classrooms: a whole cricket match played with one thick book and its page numbers. How to play Book Cricket.
Lagori (Seven Stones)
Lagori is a team game played with a stack of flat stones and a soft ball. Also called Pithoo, Sathodiya, Ezhu Kallu. How to play Lagori.
Dhaayam (Dice Race)
Dhaayam is a race board game from Tamil homes, played on a square grid drawn on the floor or on cloth. Also called Thaayam, Ashta Chamma, Chowka Bara, Pakidakali. How to play Dhaayam.
Paramapadham (Snakes & Ladders)
Paramapadham is the Indian board game behind Snakes and Ladders. Also called Moksha Patam, Gyan Chaupar, Saanp Seedi, Snakes and Ladders. How to play Paramapadham.
Aadu Puli (Goats & Tigers)
Aadu Puli is a hunting game for two: one side plays three tigers, the other fifteen goats. Also called Aadu Puli Aattam, Puli Meka, Lambs and tigers. How to play Aadu Puli.
Nondi (Hopscotch)
Nondi is the Tamil name for hopscotch: a court of boxes drawn in chalk, a flat stone, and one foot. Also called Stapu, Kith Kith, Kunte Bille. How to play Nondi.
Pattam (Kites)
Pattam is a kite: a square of thin paper on a cross of bamboo slivers, flown on thread from a spool. Also called Patang, Gaalipata, Gaalipatam. How to play Pattam.
Kallangal (Five Stones)
Kallangal is the game of five stones: toss one up, scoop the others off the floor, and catch it before it falls. Also called Anchankal, Gutte, Jacks, Knucklebones. How to play Kallangal.
Raja Rani (Catch the Thief)
Raja Rani is the chit game of Indian homes: a few scraps of paper, each with a role written on it, folded and tossed on the floor. Also called Raja Mantri Chor Sipahi, Chor Police. How to play Raja Rani.
Pen Fight
Pen Fight is the back-bench game of Indian classrooms: two pens on a wooden desk, one finger each, and a few minutes before the teacher walks in. Also called Pena Sandai, Pen fighting. How to play Pen Fight.
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