Here Are Our Favourite Desi Boardgames To Upgrade Your Weekends!

Bangalore-based Kavade (pronounced ka-va-day), which has been around since 2009, is named after the Kannada word for cowrie-shells, which are often used in a traditional game of Chowkabaara. You come to Kavade for the kind of games you just won’t find anywhere else. These include one-of-a-kind cloth or wooden chess sets, Kalamkari-printed boards of Pagade/Chaupad (a mythology and strategy game).

Desi Toys is throwback like no other, to those days when life was simple, Doordarshan was on TV and games were relatively uncomplicated. And bringing this charm and nostalgia to a boardgame near you is Desi Toys with some of their offerings. Take for instance, the good old Snakes and Ladders, but this one comes embroidered on cloth, and even their Chumbak Shatrang, comprising magnetic chess pieces and a beautiful wooden chess board, have our hearts. Read more about Desi Toys here.

This Bangalore-based brand is a collective of people who are passionate about arts, crafts and its application to the real world. Chaya Nisarga creates, design and manufactures Indian games. Apart from usual games like chess and snakes and ladders (looks different from what is available in regular stores), they also have wooden toys and puzzles that will definitely keep you (or your little one) occupied for hours!

We stumbled upon Ancient Living and are super glad we did! Their website sells some killer native Indian strategy boards games like Astha Chamma, Puli Meka and Vamana Guntalu—these names may sound familiar to the older millennials, because they probably played them growing up! They are very entertaining and pushes one to think and only then taste victory. These are unique alright! And we hear were played by our ancestors for strategy development.

The Bored Game Company is an online platform from where you can order modern and lesser-known board games that will keep you and the family engaged throughout! We love the Indian section, of course, that has games like Mantri Cards, a political card game. Yudhbhoomi, and India war-based board game, Chariots Of Chandragupta and more! Playing these games is also a great chance to brush up on your history!

Although this a brand for kids, don't limit the awesome games by Indigrow just to the children! We are saying join in on the fun and play with them, all while they learn about the vibrancy of India and you brush up your rusty ol' memory. We suggest beginning with The Memory Match game for coordination and memory. Following this, get guessing with the On The Flash Go cards that have pictures from across Indian or settle in for a giant floor puzzle! These games may not be traditional but they certainly tell a tale of great India and we are happy with that!