Ancient Indian Sports

–
A connect to the past
 Why Ancient Indian Sports?
Ancient India has a rich tradition of games that were played
and passed on through generations and cultures not only for
recreation and leisure but also to develop cognitive alertness
and to maintain physical fitness.

In a time that is predominantly driven by technology, virtual

games and gadgets, we have almost forgotten the traditional
games of India.

This theme will help our children increase the interaction

between generations and also recall, reinvent and replay the
traditional Indian games.
Contents Provided

Guidelines Narration

Races Templates
Guidelines
 Sr. No PlayGroup Nursery EuroJunior EuroSenior

1. Pallankuzhi Moksha patam Bhaala Phek Lakhoti (Kancha)

2. Vallam Kali Vish and Amrit Lambhi kud Tipahiya saikil

3. Langdi Gillidanda Laghu daal Satoliya

4. Kith Kith Kai po che Kho kho Teen Patti

5. Lagori Kancha Langadi Kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi

6. Mallkhambh Teerandaji Lagori. Chaupar

7. Porok Panim Sinam Chak de Carrom

Balla aur phool

8. Shatranj Yubi lakpi Kushti. Sagol Kangjei

9. Pehlwani Gend balla ka khel Pachisi Chor Sipahi

10. Sakhali Mallakhamb Rassaakashee Kalaripayattu

Parents Race Kang Shanaba Gatka - Shastara vidiya Balance walk Tyre Race
Playgroup Races
&
Templates
1. Pallankuzhi - It’s a traditional game originated from
Tamil Nadu, played with a wooden tray and pebbles,
marbles or seeds. In this race children will run with a
bead or a marble drop it in the centre and run till the
finish line.

2. Vallam Kali -The famous boat race played in Kerala

is called Vallam Kali. In this game children are going to
be provided with templates of an oar and are going to
row twice and run till the finish line.

3. Langdi - It is an ancient game originated in state of

Maharashtra. Children will demonstrate Langdi on both
their feet and reach the finish line.

4. Kith kith - Kith kith or Stapu is a commonly played

game on Indian streets. Kith-kith is played almost in all
the states of India. N this race children will stand at
the start line with a pebble, will throw the pebble into
the hula hoop kept at a distance or centre of the track,
run towards the finish line.
5. Lagori - Lagori is a team sport that originated in
Southern part of India. The sport is played only at a
recreational level, a popular playground game. In this
game children will run towards the centre of the race
track, stack three blocks vertically and then run towards
the finish line.

6. Mallakhamb - A sport that is believed to have

originated during the 12th century. It is the Indian
version of gymnastics combined with martial arts.
Children in this race will walk and balance on the rope till
the centre of the track and then run to the finish line.

7. Porok Panim Sinam- Many traditional sports call for a

display of poise and body balance and Porok Panim
Sinam of Arunachal Pradesh is a perfect example. The
game tests the flexibility and balance of the
participants. Children are expected to walk on tip of
their toes while holding their butterfly wings with both
their hands.
8. Shatranj - Shatranj ki chal…one of the most renowned
games played in different parts of India since Mahabharata
times. This game is a great example to introduce children to
various characters of the game and their moves. But there is a
twist in our race; the characters have forgotten their moves!

9. Pehlwani – It was developed in the Mughal Empire by

combining native malla-yuddha with influences from Persian
varzesh-e bastani. Pehlwani is one of our ancient games and
helps each and every one in various ways. To raise the
awareness the race has been organized where children have to do
the action of kicking or boxing till the finish line.

10. Sakhali – United we stand…divided we fall. A game which

most of the parents present here have played in their childhood
days is Sakhali. It’s a game where one person catches the other
and forms a chain, in this race there will be a pair who will run
together with a prop related to the game.
 Parents Race
Kang Shanaba:
Kang shanaba is a vey famous game played in Manipur. The
adults play it with a kang or a ball. In this race the parents will
be given a big ball and 10 bottles kept at a distance. Parents
will have to hit the ball and run till the finish line.
Playgroup Templates
Names of the races Props to be made Pictures

Vallam Kali Oars

Langdi Frog Cut out

Porok Panim Sinam Butterfly wings and

Head antennae

Shatranj Horse muppet

Crown
Elephant Ears

Sakhali Paper chain

Nursery Races
&
Templates
1. Moksha pattam - Moksha pattam is an ancient board
game in which snakes and ladder decides the fate of the
player. Later this game was taken to England where it
got improvised and became popular with the name of
‘Snakes and ladder’.
Children will pretend to be snake and walk and jump on
the
ladder to reach the finish line.

2. Vish and Amrit - The game where seeker tags and say
‘lock’ to everyone and other players try to save their
friends by touching and saying ‘key’. The game which is
popular by the name of ‘Lock and Key’ was formerly
called as Vish and amrit.
In this race few children will become locks who will be
waiting at the centre of the track for their friends
pretending to be keys so that they can all run and reach
to their finish line.
3. Gillidanda - Gillidanda game is approx. 2500
years old, which was played by our forefathers and
it is believed to be responsible for the origin of the
games like cricket and baseball.
To depict this ancient Indian game on the race
track children will hit the block with the stick and
run to finish line.

4. Kai po che – Game about flying kites. Initially

kite flying was the sport competition only for
kings but later it spread to the masses, people
started flying kite as a celebration of Makar
sankranti festival. This festival marks when winter
begins to turn into summer and it gives a message
that harvest season is approaching.
In this race children will run holding the kite in
their hands
5. Kancha – Kancha is a ancient traditional game
needs lot of concentration and focus skills to win. In
India once upon a time each child use to be crazy to
play and win kancha of different colours. It is thought
that playing with marbles was started at the time
when people lived in cave.
In this children are going to hold the marble with the
spoon and walk fast towards the finish line

6. Teerandaji - Teerandaji was initially used for

hunting animals, later we human started using it to
protect ourselves, gradually kings and soldiers started
using it as a weapon in wars and very soon it also
became a popular game for kings which later on
passed to masses. Today this game is played in
Olympics and it is called Archery.
In this race children will pick bow and arrow from the
center of the track and run to finish line.
7. Chak de - India has won consecutively 8 gold medals in Olympic Games
from the year 1928 to 1956. This was one of the reasons Hockey was
considered India’s national game.
In this race children will run to centre of the track and then hit the ball with
the hockey stick.

8. Yubi Lapki - Traditional game ‘Yubi lapki’ is originated in Manipur state of

India. ‘Yubi’ means coconut and ‘lapki’ means snatching. That’s the reason
unlike rugby here players try to snatch coconut from opponent team players
instead of a ball.
In yubi lapki race children will run with the coconut to their partners who are
standing at the centre of the track and then both the friends will run to the
finish line.
9. Gend balla ka khel - “When long sunny afternoons
didn’t bother us, losing to our friends did.”
Whether it’s a galli cricket or playing on the ground
our generation and even our parents have dedicated
their holiday to play this game - cricket.
In this race children with their cricket ball will run to
the centre of the tracks and then throw the ball (over
arm) like the cricket bowlers.

10. Mallakhamb – Meaning of this word is gymnast

pole. It’s a sport where performer turn, twist, stretch
and balance on the pole.
Nursery children are going to perform the balancing
part on the bricks instead of pole.
 Parents Race
Gatka - Shastara vidiya:
Gatka originated in north India. It can be called as Indian
martial arts or shastra vidiya. To depict this sport parents of
nursery children will hit the sticks against their partners stick
and simultaneously walk fast towards the finish line.
Nursery Templates
 Race Props Required Images
Vish and Amrit Lock and key muppets

Teerandaji Arrow holder

EuroJunior Races
&
Templates
1. Bhaala Phek - Spear also called the Bhaala, was used in wars by
our Indian soldiers. Slowly and gradually this skill was used in
sports also called the Bhaala Phek/ commonly known as Javelin
throw. In the similar lines the children will run to the center of the
race track pick the javelin and keep throwing the javelin till they
reach the finish line.

2. Lambhi kud - Jumping is a very important criterion for athletic

activities like hopscotch, rope jump and how can we forget the
ancient game Long jump, also called the Lambhi Kud!! Our children
in this race will run to the centre of the race track. Then will take a
high jump once and run to the finish line.

3. Laghu daal - This sport has been existent for more than 2000
years. The first shot put event occurred in the Middle Ages when
soldiers held competitions in which they hurled cannonballs or
heavy stones. Here too our little athletes will try to “throw” or
"put" a ball within certain boundaries of the Hula hoop.
4. Kho kho - The kho kho game is one of the most famous
classical games of India. Kho kho helps our children to stay
active and build their confidence. In this race the children
will run to the centre of the race track to give a ‘kho’ to their
partners who are sitting at the centre of the track and then
both the children will run towards the finish line.

5. Langadi - Langdi is a traditional sport of state

Maharashtra, which is similar to hopscotch. It is also
described to be the foundation of many other sports. In this
game the denner hops on a single leg, with this essence of the
sport we present to you Langadi on our racing tracks.

6. Lagori. - It is also recognised with different names like

Dikori, pitthu etc. Lagori as a game has a history of over
5000 years. In this game the children will use a ball to hit the
lagori which are the stack of blocks.
7. Carrom. - Carrom is a “strike and pocket” game
similar to billiards. This game originated in India and it
is also believed that carrom was invented by the Indian
Maharajas. The main two coins of the carrom are the
striker and the queen. In this race the children who are
the strikers run to the centre of the race track. They will
tap the child dressed as the queen at the centre of the
race track. Then both the partners will hold hands and
run to the finish line.

8. Kushti - Kushti is a form of wrestling from South

India. The other name for Kushti is also called malla-
yuddha. The wrestlers practise and train themselves to
give their best performance on the field called the
“Akhada”. In the similar lines the children in this race
will run to the centre of the race track. They will then
tap their thighs like wrestlers just like they are getting
ready to wrestle. Then the children will show their
muscles by raising both their hands and run to the finish
line in the same pose.
9. Pachisi - Pachisi originated in India, it is played on a
board shaped in the form of a symmetrical cross. In this a
player's pegs move around the board based upon the
throw of the dice. On the similar line our little pegs will
move over the racing tracks depending on the number on
the dice rolled by the teacher.

10. Rassaakashee - This is commonly know as Tug of war.

In this sport two teams are put against each other in a
test of strength where the teams pull the rope towards
their side. On the similar lines we have modified this game
for our little ones where in each child will get a chance to
pull the rope placed on the racing track.
 Parents Race
Balance walk:
Badminton is a popular sport in India. It helps improve our
grip, foot work and concentration. Parents will show their
concentration and co-ordination skills by walking and
bouncing the shuttle cock over the badminton racket till they
reach the finish line. If the shuttle cock falls from the racket
the parents will have to go back to the start point again and
start the race again.
EuroJunior
Templates
Name of the race Props to be made Pictures

Bhaala Phek Javelin.

Carrom Muppet of striker.

Template for the striker .

Queen’s crown. Template

for the crown.

Pachisi Conical hats.

EuroSenior Races
&
Templates
1. Lakhoti (Kancha) – Lakhoti or Kancha is one of the
oldest and most popular traditional games played all over
India. This ancient game is played with marbles and needs
lot of concentration and focus skills.
In this race our children will be playing with small balls and
try to aim and hit the set target by using their forefingers of
both their hands, then collect their balls and run to the
finish line.

2. Tipahiya saikil – Riding a tricycle is the favourite activity

of a child. Riding a tricycle is a rite of passage for many
children. Cycling plays an important role in overall growth
of our children. Right from gaining strength to decision
making ability, cycling nurtures over all child development.
Today our children will show their eagerness by running to
sit on their tricycles and ride to the finish line.
3. Satoliya- Another popular game of olden times is
“Satoliya or “Lagori” played with seven stones found its
way to urban areas from Indian villages. This game
teaches the art of throwing the ball, evading the ball,
stacking the stones in a pile.
Today our children will show the art of stacking the cups
the same way which can be trickier.

4. Teen Patti – In ancient India the game of cards is called

‘Krida patram.’ It was one of the favourite pastimes of
Indians and was patronized especially by the royalty and
nobility. Today too, this game is played all over the world.
Today our children will show how they will race each
other in the game of cards.
5. Kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi - The best known Indian traditional
game “Kabaddi” is yet another popular game that has been globally
spread. Breath control, raid, dodging and movement of hand and feet
are the basic skills that one has to acquire, in order to play Kabaddi.
Today our children will display these traits through this race.

6. Chaupar – Chaupar, the game of Dice was played in

Mahabharata. A chaupar 'board' is traditionally an embroidered cloth
in the shape of a cross. Long dice are used to play this game. In olden
days the kings in India played this game.
In this race our children will play a game of dice and then run to the
finish line.

7. Balla aur phool - Badminton a popular game, is the second most

played game in India after Cricket. The game was played during the
18th Century, in Poona. India has produced many world class
champions, which has led to the game being spread far and wide in
the country.
In this race our children will display a badminton stroke and run to
the finish line.
8. Sagol Kangjei – Sagol Kangjei is a team sport played
on horseback, which in modern times is called “Polo”. India is
considered the cradle of modern polo. This game needs the skill of
focus and eye hand coordination.
Through this race our children will display both the skills by hitting
the ball while galloping to the finish line.

9. Chor Sipahi - India has a number of traditional outdoor games

which are played mostly by children but are still cherished by people
of all ages, as it reminds them of their childhood days. Chor Sipahi
is one such game. As the name suggests, there are the Chor (thieves)
and then there is the Sipahis (police) who has the task of catching
the Chor.
Today some of our children will portray the role of Sipahis and
handcuff the Chors and run with them to the finish line.

10. Kalaripayattu – Martial art is a part of India’s ancient

culture and a traditional game. Kalaripayattu or kalari is oldest
form of martial art. It includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset
forms, weaponry and healing methods. Kalaripayattu techniques are
a combination of steps (Chuvatu) and postures (Vadivu). Our
children will display the age old martial art of Kalaripayattu in this
race.
 Parents Race
Tyre Race :
Hoop trundling, or the tyre race is both a sport and a child’s game in
which a large hoop is rolled along the ground with the help of a
stick. A tire was also used in this game. Played as a target game, it is
an ancient tradition widely dispersed among different societies.
Our parents will display the how they will manoeuvre the tyre top
the finish line.
EuroSenior
Templates
 Race Props Required Images

Teen patti Crown

Chaupar Chaupar board and 2 long dice

Sagol Kangjei Horse muppet and polo stick

Chor Sipahi Handcuffs

Kalaripayattu Sword
Drill
&
Yoga
Drill
D
R
I
L
L
Yoga Display