Just Play

India has a rich culture of games, but sadly many of them are forgotten today and run the risk of disappearing into oblivion. They are fun, elemental and easy to play by people of all backgrounds, ages, cultures and qualifications. What is more, each of them has lessons for us that are as important today as they were when they were created.

Just Play! Life Lessons from Traditional Indian Games is a book that takes you back in time through the fun and laughter of these games. Every game—from Panch Kone to Solah Seedi to Aadu Puli Aatam—represents or captures an aspect of life and the world. Unlike life, games can be played again and again, to get it right.

While making mistakes in the real world has a lasting impact, making mistakes in a game has limited consequences. It is through mistakes that we learn and grow. These games reduce life’s complexity to a replica of manageable elements and size. They enable the player to view situations calmly and objectively so as to isolate the core of the problem. And therein lies their charm and relevance.