KHEL

Singam on Board – The Lion Game

Although singam, the board game, is different from any other board games, the goal of the players remains to bring their game-pieces in a row. A board can be used for this game, or one can draw the patterns required for the game on the ground too. For the convenience of explaining, the word board has been used.

Singam is played by two players using four game-pieces each. A triangular image is set on a rectangular board which consists of three lines. The meeting points of the triangle and rectangle are marked with dots. Each player places one’s game-pieces one after another on a dot of their choice to form a row of similar coins. But they also place it a manner which prevents the other player from forming the array.

This is one of the strategic games played by the kings as well as the commoners as it deals with making tactical and calculated movements. It is also notable that more time is spent on disturbing and blocking the game-pieces of the opponent. This game keeps the players’ mind engaged. Players even lose track of time, on playing this game. The gaming strategy is similar to that of the square board game, but the difference lies in the fact that the singam game grants multiple ways for the players to make their move.

It will be a challenging task, if one tries to succeed in his attempt to win over the other player. The shape of the board may slightly resemble that of the game, Padhinaindhaam puli, though the rules, regulations, movements, number of coins vary widely. While the former aims to bring the coins a row, the latter aims to cut and block. The game is said to have commonly played in the district of Ramnad, Tamil Nadu.

T. R. Surya is the special correspondent of the company. He is an eloquent speaker and compendious writer of English. An avid learner of Sanskrit and Indian scriptures under the guidance of Swami Ganeshaswarupananda and Gita Chaitanya of Arshavidyalaya. His inclination and interests are towards studying Metaphysics and philosophies.