The origins of most modern sports can be traced back to traditional folk games. Folk games were the main sporting activities of pre-industrial societies, as they served both social and recreational purposes. These games provided a much-needed break from the back-breaking chores that were part of pre-industrial life. They were also a celebration of the community's identity and played a vital role in social cohesion. As such, scholars have identified thousands of traditional folk games all over the world. India is no exception. With its diverse cultural background, India's folk games differ from state to state. South India itself comprises of 6 different states, and its cultural blood runs in a predominantly Dravidian vein. Hence, these games differ significantly from their North Indian counterparts. They are three main games that are still alive today; they are Silambaatam (a martial art form that is practised using a bamboo staff); Kabaddi (a demanding contact sport); and Aadhu Puli Aatam (a recreational board game).
Silambaatam
Silambaatam is a Dravidian martial arts form that is specific to the Tamil community- a majority in South India. Silambaatam originated in the Kurinji hills, located in present-day Kerala, about 5000 years ago. Practised with a long bamboo staff, which is to be yielded according to the warrior's height, Silambaatam involves the warrior or martial artist performing intricate hand and foot movements that can disarm and attack an opponent. The silambam (bamboo staff) is typically held about 16 inches away from the body, by the dominant hand. The weaker hand is only used to guide the staff. The silambam can then be twirled, used to stab or poke, held to block or strike blows on the opponent. The key to how the silambam is used relies heavily on intricate footwork and upper body control. A well-versed silambam artist is expected to be able to defend him or herself against multiple opponents, if necessary.
Due to its long history, Silmbaatam has evolved into various subsects, each with its own spinning and footwork patterns. Silambaatam was initially used as a means of protection to fend off dangerous animals, that threatened the villagers who lived near the jungle. It eventually evolved to be used for one on one combat, becoming a vital part of warrior training during the Sangam Age (between 3rd century BC and 3rd century AD). Hence the three crown kings of the Age- Chera, Chozha and Pandiya were also avid patrons and practitioners of this martial art form. Silambataam was alive and well until India's colonisation, when other sporting activities took its place. This was when Silambaatam began exporting itself to other parts of Asia- mainly Southeast Asia. Today, the sport is seeing a revival both in India and other parts of Asia that house a significant Tamil population.
Kabaddi
Kabadi is a contact sport that is played all around India in varying styles. Played on a flat ground with two teams ( 7 on 7), Kabaddi mimicks ancient war strategies as the aim of each team is to get to the touchline that is drawn in the opponent's territory (signifying that the enemy ground has been conquered). At any point of time a raider ( player who hunts the touch line) gets on the ground while chanting the word 'kabaddi' without pausing for long. Stoppers, from the opposition team (usually 4 or more) attempt to block the raider by tackling or tagging him/her. Points will be awarded for blocks as well as touchdowns. The teams' roles will be reversed when the raiding team has sent forth 4 of its players. The game will continue with the switched sides and the team that gets the most points (based on how well they have defended or attacked), will win. Hence, Kabaddi is a strategical game that also demands good breath control, dexterity, concentration and coordination. It has recently been recognized as an official sport by the Asian Games organisation. The game even has a World Cup tournament to its name.
Aadhu Puli Aatam
Aadhu Puli Aatam literally means 'tiger and goat game', as the gameplay is based on the 'predator-prey' dynamic. This strategic hunting game, is rather similar to checkers or chess and is usually played for leisure. Aadhu Puli Aatam is played on a board or on the floor, on which a grid pyramid is drawn. It is a two-player game whereby one player controls the 'tiger' seeds, while the other controls the 'goat' seeds. The basic principle of the game is simple- the tigers will attempt to hunt the goats, while the goats try to resist the attacks. The game allows 3 tiger seeds and 15 goat seeds to be in play. The 'tigers' will be placed on the apex of the pyramid, while the 'goats' will be placed on the pyramid itself (at the intersecting lines). All seeds must be placed on the play area before the game starts. The 'goats' start the game by moving to a free intersection on the board. After which the 'tigers' are free to move. Only one seed can be moved at a time and the movements have to follow the lines drawn on the pyramid. The 'tigers' can start to hunt the 'goats' (by jumping over them) at any point of time during the game; however they can only capture one 'goat' at a time. A captured 'goat' must leave the board immediately. The 'tiger' can jump over the 'goat' in any direction, but it must get to an adjacent intersection and it cannot jump over another 'tiger'. The same rule applies to the 'goats'. The 'tigers' win the game if they capture all the 'goats', while the 'goats' win the game if they successfully block all the 'tigers' attempts, forcing them into a stalemate. Aadhu Puli Aatam was so prevalent in Indian villages in the past, that archaeological evidences indicate that even the Dutch colonizers picked up the game as a hobby.
Sources
- Cohen & Kennedy (2007) Global Sociology (2nd Edition). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Dr. S. Sakthivel (2007) Naatupura Iyal Aaivu (7th edition). Chennai: Manivaasagar Publications.
- K. Thanasekaran (2010) Giraamiyak Kalaigal (2nd edition). Chennai: Thiruvarasu Puthuaka Nilayam.
Buvaneyswari Uthaman - I fell into writing accidentally. Having been an avid reader and an amateur poet I never considered writing as a career path until I ...
