India's Traditional regional sports and games

India is a very big country with vast culture of its own. Different than any other nation. And this vast and versatile culture is the result of many small groups of people with different backgrounds and their own cultures coming together and living under the same country.

But one must always remember that with multiple versatile small cultures comes the different methods of entertainments and also competitions which with increasing popularity and keen interest of masses transforms into first the regional sports and sometimes into national and international sports. 

So today we will be discussing about the traditional Indian sports that today represents many indigineous communities, regions and cultures:

1. Chaupar: Also known as chausar or chaupad. It is quite similar to the more well-known board game pachisi. It is a four player game and is played pairs of two. Each player has four pieces on the cross-shaped board. 

The pieces start in predetermined locations around the board and race to the centre to finish. Chaupar's history is intertwined with that of pachisi, in part because the game's boards are interchangeable because of their similar rules and playing methods.

Even though documented records of the games date only from the fifteenth or sixteenth century, they appear to have been around for the majority of the last two thousand years.

2. Maramadi Bull Surfing: This is an annual sporting event held in the Anandapally village, Kerala. In this sports a pair of bulls compete in paddy fields in various categories for speed and style. The bulls' guides races along with them across freshly ploughed fields and murky streams. 

As the spectators, the villagers gather around these fields because of the fierce competition for these races, the environment becomes full of adrenaline and excitement.

A single team usually comprises of three members that controls a pair of oxen. The race begins at noon and lasts until dusk. Such individual races attracts up to 30 teams. Similar to professional jockeys, these individuals are well-trained and skilled at controlling the oxen throughout the race. 

The oxes competing in these races are well fed and trained specifically for this event. The most well-known Maramadi race is held in Kerala's Anandapali hamlet, Pathnamthitta District, close to Adoor City. Every year this sporting event takes place around August 15 and falls in line with the Onam festival's celebrations here.

3. Gutte: The simple game gutte is very popular across the nation. It is a game that everyone enjoys, be it kids or adults. It is made up of five little stones/ pebbles. In this game, one must pick up other stones from the ground and toss and spin one stone in the air before it strikes the ground to win the game. This process is repeated until a stone which is in air hits the ground. 

The process becomes more difficult when multiple stones are bounced in air and that's what makes this game so fun to play. The simplicity and low cost of the game are what make it beautiful. Furthermore, anyone can participate in this game.

4. Gilli Danda: This game is an Indian creation and one of the most exciting games. Gilli Danda, is played with two sticks. The longer stick is referred to as danda, while the smaller stick is preferred to be an oval-shaped wooden item called Gilli. 

The Gilli has to be struck with the danda at the elevated end for it to flip in the air. And after doing that, the player hits the Gilli as far as they can while it is in the air. Before another player takes the Gilli, the player sprints to touch a location outside the circle. How well the gilli is raised and hit is key to winning this game. Any number of players can participate in this game.

5. Kancha: Another intriguing and affordable game from India is called Kancha. Its a kid-favorite game that is played using "Kancha," or dark green glass marbles. The basic way to play this game is that each player in this game carries their own set of marbles. And in order to win, a player must use one of his marbles to strike the designated target marble. The winning player traditionally takes all the marbles away from the losers.

The marble is kept in place by the right hand's forefinger and the left hand's middle finger. The finger is forced backward before being released with pressure in a manner resembling a spring or a catapul. The game comes in a variety of forms, ranging from simple to complex depending upon the player's skills and time available and also the number of Kancha's available.

6. Dhopkhel: It is a common regional ball game played in Assam, India, is called. It is traditionally a seasonal game because it was historically started as a sports to celebrate the Bihu spring and New Year holiday. It is one of the odd and less well-known state sports

To make the game simple, this is how it is played- Dhop, a ball, is thrown by the player with the purpose of landing in the opponent's court; however, if the ball lands in one's own court instead of the opponent's, the player must throw the ball once more. 

While the other team must try to catch the ball, if they are unsuccessful, a player from the other side must throw the ball once more. However, if the player succeeds in catching the ball, they must toss it to Katoni, a player who is positioned at the other end of the court. The team loses the chance to throw the ball and the opposing side is given the chance if the player, Katoni, is unable to catch it.

7. Yubi Lakpi: It is played using a coconut, Yubi Lakpi is a type of contact sport of Manipur, an Indian state. Manipur is the state where the sport first appeared and is still played today. The name literally translates as "snatching coconuts."

The game is played on a pitch that is roughly 45X18 metres in size. A 4.5X3 metre box at one end of the field serves as the goal area essentially. A player must carry the coconut, pass through the box, and exit the pitch in order to score a goal. 

Players wear only a pair of shorts and no shirts and that too while being barefoot to participate in this sport. Players apply oil on their bodies before the game to make them slick when opponents try to capture them. Additionally, oil is pre-soaked into the coconut before usage. Seven players are lined up on each side of the field to begin the game. 

To start the play, a referee throws a coconut. Each participant carries a coconut while trying to score a goal on their own. Other players try to attack the coconut carrier and steal the coconut from them. An award is given to the player who scores the most goals throughout the game.

8. Mallakhamb: Its an ancient and traditional Indian sport. The word "Mallakhamb" means "a gymnast's pole" in Arabic. The sport of Mallakhamb dates back to the 12th century and is first referenced in Manas-Olhas, a Chalukya classic written in 1135 A.D. 

The sport was dormant for seven centuries until when Balambhatta Dada Deodhar, Peshwa Bajirao II's personal trainer during the first part of the 19th century, brought it back to life. The seemingly straightforward "khamb" conceals the intricate exercises, which requires the performer to turn, twist, stretch, and balance on the pole. 

This game stands out due to its exceptional grace, agility, dexterity, and body flexibility, which are combined with rapid reflexes, muscular coordination, and timing. More than 14 Indian states take part in the national Mallakhamb competitions.

9. Ball Badminton: It is quite similar to widely popular sports badminton. Ball badminton is played with a racquet and a ball made of yellow wool. The matches takes place on a 12x24meter rectangular court. A net is positioned in the middle of the court to split it into equal halves.

Ball Badminton was invented by a Tanjore Family in Tamil Nadu and was later patronised by the local kings. In the initial years this sports was majorly played outside, but as it became more and more popular, people began to play it indoors on a synthetic court with lighting. 

Ball  badminton is played between two teams. Ball Badminton Federation of India (BBFI) is the highest level of governing body for this sports. BFFI has 34 members, including five public sector organisations and 26 Indian States.

10. Carrom: Players in the Indian tabletop game of carrom flick discs in an effort to knock them off the edge of the playing field. The game is well-liked throughout the Indian subcontinent and is known by different names in various languages. 

Carrom tournaments are frequently held in South Asian clubs and cafes. Families, kids included, and people in public settings frequently play carrom. In several fields, there are various standards and laws. In the early 20th century, it rose to great popularity in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Carrom simply refers to any strike and rebound.

In Chennai, India, the International Carrom Federation (ICF) was established in 1988. In 1988, the game's official regulations for the Indian version were released. The regulations were formally formalised by the ICF in the same year.