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CONTEST Youngsters had a gala time playing games, desi style!

High on Caffeine — the name spells ‘hang out’ to the fun-loving youth of today. Saturday afternoon with nothing to do? Let’s go to HOC! Monday and don’t feel like going to college? HOC to the rescue! This sports café lounge promises all-round entertainment for young as well as the young at heart. As MS Prasadh, Executive Director, Twice Group (which owns HOC) puts it, “We bring to you the experience of a pub without alcohol. Just pure fun.” A fairly fresh establishment (only nine months new), HOC joined hands with Kreeda this weekend to present ‘Aatam Sadhurattam’.

Kreeda is an established name in the market, known for their revival of traditional Indian games through extensive research and awareness campaigns that reach out far and wide. Their modern reinvention of the numerous time-honoured games of our culture and heritage has gone a long way in kindling the interest of the present generation, making them aware of how life was “when grandma was a little girl; when grandpa was a little boy”. Aatam Sadhurattam was just that – Kreeda coming forward to define traditional games as they used to be. As Vinita Sidhartha, Promoter – Kreeda didn’t fail to mention, “Our target is anyone who wants to have a good time”.

That definition fit HOC’s bill perfectly, with their target being the hip, cosmopolitan urban folk. We all know we love to have fun! With that, Aatam Sadhurattam was born. The event was ‘A Celebration and Carnival of Traditional Indian Games’, spread over three days (October 23 to 25), with the first two days dedicated to discovering (or rediscovering) the magic of our history. The entire experience culminated with a competition, a tournament if I may say so, with popular media persons stepping in to try their hand at the numerous exhibits!

Desi parallels

Parallels were many. All that was needed was an open mind brimming with curiosity and hands raring to go. We’ve all played Scotland Yard, or at least definitely heard of it. Who knew we had an Indian equivalent in ‘Search for Sita’? Tic Tac Toe is a popular pastime, especially when we are trying to while away the hours. Did you know it originated, or at least drew inspiration, from our very own Dahdi and Kattum Vilayaatu? Brainvita and Panch Kone share uncanny similarities as do bowling and goli. The cherry on the cake was one look at Parama Pada Sopanam and Bambaram. Sounds like Greek and Latin? You probably know them as Snakes & Ladders and Beyblades! (And no, I am not making it up!)

A chat with Kreeda’s Vinita Sidhartha revealed the passion she has for her field of work. With eyes aglow and conviction in every word, she spoke of how these games are of relevance to the world today as they improve motor/sensory skills, teamwork, leadership skills and decision-making abilities. I know, I was surprised as well but one look at the line-up of games they had on display proved her right. What more, we would all be put to shame seeing how much we are lacking in strategy, analytical reasoning and fine motor skills with one game of Palanguzhi! To Vinita and the rest of her team at Kreeda, games are more than just merely a means of entertainment. “Children cannot be proud of Indian architecture or clothing. They cannot relate to it. But they can definitely be proud of their games. They will be instilled with faith of their culture.”

The grand finale started at about 4:45 p.m. on Sunday. VJs Pooja and Rajiv from SS Music and RJs Ramya, Kaushi, Girish and Aloysius from Hello FM (both media partners for the event) acted as the coins on the giant board of Parama Pada Sopanam, rolling the giant dice spiritedly. The music, some foot-tapping numbers, was soon drowned by the din made by the audience egging on the players and the players pulling each other’s leg in jest. Finally, SS Music’s Pooja won with Rajiv coming a close second. The whole crowd then moved on to racing on coconut shell sandals and then more ‘passive’ games of Aadu Puli Aatam and Pallanguzhi.

While Kaushi and Girish were trying their hand on the former, yours truly got a chance to experiment and test her fine motor skills and strategy-forming ability with Pallanguzhi. Trust me, it was an eye-opener! After an evening of fun, frolic and gaiety, complemented by HOC’s signature Mud and Spicy French Fries, one look at the mood in the place revealed some interesting insights. There were different reactions – varying emotions and sentiments – but the thread that held them all together was a positive one and complete relaxation. To Pooja, the opportunity for the whole family to come together is the driving force. “There is a special charm to the games. The entire household must come together and play and that means bonding and quality time.”

Kaushi and Ramya went down memory lane with childhood instances and nostalgia rushing forth. Ramya also went on to add “The current generation is missing out a lot. These games provide the perfect balance of fun as well as educational skills like concentration and mathematical abilities.” Too many cooks are said to spoil the broth, but if the cooks are multi-talented, the result is a multi-cuisine meal! ‘Aatam Sadhurattam’ was one such multi-cuisine platter brought together by High On Caffeine and Kreeda with efficient support from SS Music, Hello FM and GiphtLabs (who provided the T-shirts and other goodies). The dish was then served very aesthetically by the HOC team to provide a delicious experience for one and all.

YASHASVINI RAJESHWAR, XI, APL Global School

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