5.Chapter 6.S.St.Leisure Time

Chapter 6

Leisure Time Fun is essential to maintain a balance in our life.  There are many leisure activities that not only entertain us but also help us to relax.  Man has enjoyed different types of leisure activities since ancient times.  The excavations of ancient towns of Mohanjodaro and Harappa have given evidences that the people played marbles, balls and dice games even at that time.  Leisure Activities - Traditional and Modern Different types of leisure time activities are popular among people today.  Some people like to watch television or go out for a movie while some entertain themselves with ball games and board games.  Cricket, basketball, football, ludo, scrabble, playing cards and carrom board are also quite popular as family games.  Let us read about some of these leisure time activities and games in detail.  Ludo Board Games Different types of board games have entertained many generations of Indians.  Board games like Shatranj and Chauper have been a part of Indian history and mythology 34

Adu Huli Aata (Tiger and Goat game) of Kamataka helps develop strategy and team work.  It is played by two players.  One player controls three tigers while the other controls the flock of fifteen goats.  The game ends when either the tigers take away more than six goals or the goats are successful in fixing all the tigers.  Alugulimane (Pallanguli in Tamil and Mancala in Hindi) is a good game to improve mental calculations and concentration.  The game requires quick estimation of the beads for filling into the pockets.  Adu Huli Aata Board games stimulate the mind and teach patience.  They are inexpensive and easily available.  Moreover, they are ideal for encouraging group activities.  Alugulimane Ladakhis play archery and polo in the summer months.  But in the freezing winter months, the celebration of religious festivals and other events provides entertainment to them.  The Buddhists hold open - air dance, songs and various other competitions.  The first year of childbirth is also an important celebration for them.  It is celebrated at different intervals when the relatives, neighbors and friends are invited.  They are served Tsampa (made from barley, butter and sugar), along with tea.  Such 'get togethers' are eagerly awaited by the Ladakhis.  Ladakhi celebration 35

Chaupaka meeting place Since olden times a favorite leisure time activity in the villages has been to sit in the chaupal.  The chaupal was a place where the village elders and the panchas sat to solve disputes or to discuss about the welfare of the village, Even today, chaupal is a popular meeting place where people share their joys and sorrows, celebrate Chaupal festivals and discuss problems with  the village elders.  Chaupal guarantees freedom of speech to everyone without any discrimination of religion, language, caste, rank, etc.  It is a wonderful example of harmony among people.  Theater Theater is another source of entertainment for people.  In India, the theater is popular in the form of Nautanki and Jatra where themes from mythology and everyday life are taken up.  Both the rural and urban population, also enjoy the dramatization of Ramleela and Krishanleela.  In modern times theater (drama) has developed into a wonderful art.  It creates awareness about the challenges that our society / country faces.  It also imparts education, ideas, values ​​or information in Ramleela an effective and creative way.  It establishes a direct contact between the actors and the public.  Theater is an important medium that develops imagination as well as creativity 36

Do you know?  Nukkad Nataks have become an important means for spreading awareness and campaign for important issues like pollution, illiteracy and corruption.  Nukkad Natak Story telling story telling is an ancient art that involves narrating a story orally.  The stories expose the listeners to the richness of different themes, cultures and languages.  Do you know?  A story is called Katha in Sanskrit and Kathai in Tamil.  In Karnataka and Maharashtra, the art of story telling is called Keertan.  Listening to stories has always been a favorite activity among children as well as grown ups.  The stories may be from our great epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata, or about historical events and famous personalities.  The narrator may use puppets, songs, music or lights to make the story interesting and entertaining.  Puppet show R.K.  Narayan is the most loved story teller of India.  Children all over the world love his Malgudi Days and Swami and His Friends.  These books have been adapted as TV serials.  Narayan's humorous narration keeps everyone glued to his stories.  R.K.  Narayan 37

Story teling helps in developing creative writing and imagination.  It helps children to understand different plots, characters and settings.  Listening to stories encourages children to read.  Reading Reading is another leisure time activity that is quite popular among children as well as elders.  It enhances knowledge and awareness.  A person in the company of books is never alone.  Reading develops imagination, expression and vocabulary.  Children onjoy reading Do you know?  Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.  Bhujan asana Yoga Asanas, Pranayam and Meditation Computers, television and some other leisure activities tire the body and mind.  Yoga is a form of exercise which has various Asanas.  It gives us good health, energy, peace and helps us to live a stress free life.  Yoga does not require any expensive equipment or venue.  Asanas relax the tense muscles and tone up the body.  Pranayam regulates breathing, meditation helps to improve concentration, memory power and develops positive attitude, Tad song Padma asana Tricono asana 38

Yoga has been a part of our culture since ancient time.  But now it has become very popular all over the world.  Yoga can be practiced inside the house or in a park.  You can practice yoga alone or in the company of others.  Similar is the case with sports and games also.  You can choose an individual game of your choice or play team games.  Team games promote understanding, unity and team spirit.  Everyone works with complete dedication to achieve success.  The team members face the challenges together.  Sports as a Career Option from being seen as mere fun activities, games and sports have become a career option in present times.  All one needs is the talent and the willingness to work hard.  Enthusiasm, self - motivation, physical stamina, mental alertness and good sportsmanship can take a person on the path of progress.  We have examples of many sports personalities who have earned name and fame for themselves as well as for the country.  They are Sachin Tendulkar, Mahesh Bhupathi, Bhaichung Bhutia, Abhinav Bindra, Jaspal Rana, Anjali Vedpathak and Narain Karthekeyan, to name a few.  They have inspired many others to pursue sports as a career.  Indian sports personalities 39