Are you game?

Chaupar was found at Ellora and Nashik

From the Mahakali Caves to Egypt's temples, games have been carved out in numerous monuments across the world, according to Dnyaneshwari Kamath, an associate of INSTUCEN (India-Study Centre) Trust.

Giving us the example of a pallanguli set she spotted etched into the wall of a monument in Aurangabad, she explains, "Most of these games have been carved out on the floors, walls or roof while they were being built, possibly by workers. Even at forts, you'll find games on floors at the gates, possibly etched by the guards. At home, too, oral, board or non-board games exist across generations."

She adds that such games are proof of good times, invoke memories and form a rapidly vanishing part of our culture. Starting today, such traditional board and non-board games are going to be the highlight of a week-long conference titled Playing with Memories - The Journey of Games, organised by INSTUCEN.

Dnyaneshwari Kamath

This is the second such seminar since last year, and is part of Project KhÄu00c2u0093liya, the trust's initiative to document board games in monuments, shares Dr Mugdha Karnik, managing trustee. Tune into the online talks if you'd like to learn about the origin of chess, Ganjifa from Sawantwadi, games played in Indian weddings and more discoveries.

On: December 14 to 20
Log on to: pages.razorpay.com/gamesconference2020
Cost: Rs 800

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