The advent of Corona and Work from Home, has resuscitated the forgotten, lost and buried board games that used to be favorite past time once upon a time. It has once again brought family again together to the drawing board to sit down and play together across age groups. Vidya’s Mom had to come and stay with us for an operation and her sister also flew down from Mumbai to support them during this time. It was school and work from home and hence it became one big joint family. Since we could not go out anywhere due to both internal and external restrictions, we had to find alternate means to pass time. What best way than to rediscover the old tried, tested and weather weary indoor games that were the favorites once upon a time. Dust those forgotten and forsaken games to revive those family moments which unfortunately happen once in a while. We started playing Snakes and Ladders, Ludo (தாயம்) and chess games. The fights, arguments, cheating are part and parcel of every game as everyone wants to win at any cost, that’s the fun element in it. Sometimes, Anirud goes away crying when is bound to lose, which is quite normal for a kid of his age. Therefore, we try to cajole and bring him on board by partnering with him. While at other times, it becomes do or die kind of situation especially in Ludo when everyone plays the ruthless bloodbath game. My Mom used to play (பல்லாங்குழி) which is called as “Mancala” or “Bean hole” with my niece when she was Anirud’s age. When the adults in the family get together, it’s time to play card games which goes on for hours with point based system.
As kids, (four of us brothers) we used to play Trade especially during summer holidays as it used to take a full day, even then we cannot conclude sometimes. We used to conclude the winner by who has made the most money with more built houses. Those were the days (3-4 decades back) when none of today’s techno gadgets existed. Either play outside games like Cricket, 7 stones, Hide and Seek or these kind of indoor games. Options were limited, especially given the fact that money was in short supply and you had to find ways and means to make the most of what you had. First of all, we hesitated to ask our parents, which would have raised their eyebrows or a pitiful thought of providing for children’s needs given the inadequate means. We had to make the best use of what we already had. Even if that meant repairs and dentures to broken bats etc. it meant living within means and maximizing returns from existing sources even if it meant depleted outcomes. Find ways and means to have fun with your brothers and friends, which was the motto.
Today, there is a case of plenty yet there is a feeling of nothingness amidst everything. I wonder sometimes, if you are given a choice with multiple variables you simply don’t know which one to choose. There can be many examples where you have hundreds of options. E.g in online entertainment, online shopping, ordering food so on and so forth. With all these multifaceted options, first you go crazy spending enormous amount of time to decide what you want and still find wanting…did I make the right choice in the end. If I had chosen the other one, would it have been better. So you are perplexed and depressed in the end rather than pleased with your choice. Whereas in those days, it was limited and you found it easier to decide and be happy with those options.
Sometimes, more is not the merrier at all. Less is better…would you agree…
Beautiful Life 