The folks at Kreeda try to find games that will sell. "Let us face it," says Vinita. "When these games came into existence, they were there to help pass the time. But, today, we are hard pressed for time. That is one of the reasons games are in danger of dying. So, my logic was, we need to give people a reason to play these games."
Research led Kreeda to create a game called Vanavas which follows Lord Ram, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman to the forest. It is played with the traditionally shaped long dice; the footsteps are pictured as wooden footwear. The sequel to Vanavas is called Search For Sita. The idea behind these new games, says Vinita, is to introduce the new generation to the Ramayan.
Their research has also looked at how these games help everybody from school children to those in the corporate world.
Games like Parama Pada Sopanam, Chaupad, Pallam Kuzhi help improve mathematical skills. Golli, Gilli Danda, etc improve hand-eye coordination; Pallankuzhi, Four Shells, Palm-fruit Roll About, etc, help improve motor skills.
Kreeda also has corporate houses as clients, where these games are used to improve team building, leadership training, de-stressing and other professional abilities.
"We work with many companies," says Vinita. "At ABN Amro [bank], we conducted three events in the last four months. We did programs for Microsoft, Wipro and others too. At Dakshinachitra, [a center that promotes folk performing arts, traditional art, craft and architecture] we conducted games for the family reunion of a 100-strong Chettiar family."
A Vanavas (which is about Lord Ram's exile) board.
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