Old Plays (Vilayaattu) getting lost in Madurai and rest of tamil nadu

I remember in my child hood days, we used to play various games - about not just run around and play, but sit-and-play kind of plays.

Some of them to list are - Paramapadham, Chottan kallu, pallaan kuzhi etc., I could remember only few, but there are more I am sure.

Paramapadham is a game which has a chart or a map kind of sheet which is laid on the ground. Based on the dice's rotation and its number the coin is moved above in the chart. If there is a ladder, the coin climbs up. If there is a snake in the slot, then the coin comes down to the tail. Have you played this? Well, if you have played - you will realize how many of the children are playing today?

Chottan Kallu is played with few stones. It is again a sit and play play. The players throw a stone and catch bunch of stones etc., It is kind of tricky and nice to play - after you are skilled to do the same.

Pallaam Kuzhi is a game with a vessel which has 12 slots I think (correct me, if I am wrong). Tamarind seeds are filled in it and moved around. In fact, I am not able to recollect the game exactly.

Othayaa Rettayaa game is a game where you hide and ask a bunch of items in hand (usually tamarind seeds) and once the partner claims if it is othayaa rettayaa, then you declare and win or loose lot of tamarind seeds.

There are other plays outdoor, which are lost are - Kitti Pullu (Small stick and a longer stick), playing with marbles (Goli Kundu) and 7 Stones (Game played with seven stones).

Well, though I have covered a lot, I might have missed many. Hope this article took many of us back to the good olden days, when we spent childhood and never can be taken back.