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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
How Indian Board Games Are Embracing Local Culture, Cities, and Stories
On the wall of a school nestled deep in Ladakh's longest village Chuchot, is a mural painted by an artist from Coimbatore — a map of Ladakh. The map, painted by Varun Manoharan in 2019, attracted many passers-by who would often walk over, point and identify the specific village they hail from. They would stop, talk at length about their land, its inhabitants, both animals and otherwise, and what makes it special. 'They used the map to tell stories around the villages,' recalls Varun. Today, the mural manifests itself on a beautiful tabletop board game aptly titled A World Above the Clouds, inviting one to hike across the various villages of Ladakh, sometimes as a guardian of the region or a storyteller in pursuit of Ladakh's lost stories. Over the course of this journey, one gathers 'elements' and 'seeds', and pauses to learn about the region's ecological wealth. Created over five years spent living in different Ladakhi villages, this strategy game by Floating Rock Games for those over 14 also doubles up as an informal entry point to understanding conservation. Meanwhile, in a tile placement strategy game called Lakshadweep by Siddhant Chand, one gets to build an archipelago with houses, fisheries, hotels, ports, and coral ecosystems. What connects these two games? A World Above the Clouds and Lakshadweep are among a steady, long string of homegrown, modern board games that thrive in geographical and cultural specificities. They are vocally, and unabashedly Indian, often inspired by the topography, culture and socio-politics of the country, giving rise to creators who believe that relatability reigns supreme. While the pandemic and the subsequent push for 'Make in India' propelled many of these creations, a growing numbers of gamers are excited about this welcome change. This proliferation can be literally charted to the length and breadth of the country. Phalgun Polepalli of Bengaluru-based Mozaic Games, and one of the key organisers of the annual board game convention called TTOX in Indian cities, draws up a map through a list of these games. 'If you come down a little from Ladakh, there is a game set on the Taj Mahal in Agra and if you come further down, there are games based on Jaipur, while Gujarat has a kite-flying game; there is a game based on the Sunderbans in the East, and when you look at the peninsula, there are games coming out of Chennai, based on its food culture, or a game on Athangudi tiles. In Karnataka, there are many creators who are bringing out games based on Hampi.' Clearly, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The streets you know In order to design a board game that reflects the ethos of a specific place, a major pillar of research depends on capturing the city's nuances — from Bengaluru's 4am biryani to Mumbai's local transport or Chennai's beaches. Take for instance, Mighty Mumbai, a new game designed like a double-decker bus with quirky characters that one may encounter only in a city like Mumbai that celebrates hustle culture. From Sunil Sixer, the cricketer, to Zoya Zameenwala, the real estate magnate, the characters of Mighty Mumbai are quirky, carrying a personality that one typically associated with a city like Mumbai. 'I was inspired by two things: one was the city itself and how Mumbai attracts people from all over the country, people with dreams, desires and ambition. I find that the spirit of Mumbai is different from the other cities. The second aspect is that today, all of us are influenced by screens. I was very clear that I wanted to do a physical game — where we get to argue, play with each other and truly be in the moment,' says Darshan M, co-founder of Cherapunjee Innovations LLP. 'The game teaches you about life itself — the value of having friends, connections and mentors,' says Darshan. One may get pickpocketed, or tire oneself out looking for a PG in this gameplay that reflects life. Cherrapunjee Innovations's next game is going to be based on the start-up culture of Bengaluru. Another quirky game called Mumbai Connection, designed by Khurshad Batliwala, captures the tension and drama behind creating the most complex city train system, the Mumbai Local. One of the biggest challenges for creators of board games steeped in culture and geography is the responsibility of accurate representation. Mozaic Games' Vallamkali, a light strategy party game based on the boat races of Kerala's Alleppey traces a niche cultural event, the nitty gritties of which are lost on those from outside the State. 'As a designer or publisher, you have to take certain measures to involve that particular community right from Day 1. [For Vallamkali], we interviewed the oarsmen who participated in these races. We asked them the most nuanced details pertaining to even the design of the boats, how the movement works in the backwaters and so on.' This process is eye-opening for the creators as well. The beauty about this need to look inward is that the gameplay and the theme are woven together so closely, that if you remove the cultural context, the game would cease to make sense. Phalgun continues, 'Five years back, you would have games where you roll a dice and move from city to city, discovering different things. Now, there are games that have a modern twist to it. The DNA of a modern game is that it should be playable for over 1,000 times. Even at the 1000th time, it should feel like a fresh, new game.' Creators also point to an emerging trend that is still at its nascent stages — Western games adopting Indian themes. Imagine Dungeons & Dragons, but with Indian themes. 'We recently played a really spooky version that was loosely based on surrounding [the mythical serpent-like creature from Indian folklore] Nagin,' Phalgun adds. Uruttu on the other hand, is a Tamil version of Monopoly, loaded with regional references by Chennai-based graphic designer Dinesh Kumar. This version emerged from the need to make the game accessible to local gamers looking for leisure, more than intellectual stimulation. For Dinesh, it all started at a game night with family where he introduced a Kollywood twist to the card game UNO, replete with Vadivel dialogues and thalaivar references. Says Dinesh, 'When we are expected to understand Western references, why can't we speak about our culture, and build our own references?' And so, he made a Chennai-inspired board game, based on Monopoly. The city's unrelenting traffic, its most preferred mediums of transportation — autos and the metro — all make their way into this game. The game that was launched in Comic Con Chennai in February, has already sold 35 sets. Board games that take after cities, towns and culture, are sometimes accidental tools for tangible documentation. They are also collected as souvenirs, and are popular gifting choices. Says Darshan, 'The hope is that someone would request a blow up of Mighty Mumbai, as a souvenir, where it looks like a piece of Mumbai that you can take back home. Over time, the idea is to design it in such a way that people appreciate it for a long time. We want to keep doing limited edition boxes for festivals and important moments in Mumbai.' Documentation and awareness are at the centre of A World Above the Clouds which is now looking to do its rounds across local schools in Ladakh. Varun hopes that the board game will soon make its way to the curriculum. 'Teenagers grasp it very easily and it could be a very nice teaching tool. Some of the feedback that I have received is that the game makes them happy. It is very satisfying to hear that.'
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
Into the heart of Ladakh, love, and beauty: The journey people witness with Triyana
There are travel agencies, and then there are travel stories, and Triyana is the latter. Triyana is not a business that books a trip for you, it is a team that helps you live the journey, enjoy the scenes, personalise your experience, and the best of all, return with a lifetime of memories, calm, and love. And even for the people who started Triyana, everything started on a trip to Ladakh that filled them with awe and love for the place, and a spark within them that wanted more people to experience this beauty. At the heart of this story is Monuca Arora , the founder of Triyana, a woman whose connection with Ladakh goes beyond maps and tour plans, and her journey and personal adventure into the landscapes of Ladakh gradually turned into a calling. A single trip shifted something inside her, and the mountains did not just call her now, but other professionals too, who she guided and helped along the way. Today, she proudly says that mountains didn't just welcome her, but also held her, spoke to her, and transformed her, and she proudly calls Ladakh her second home. It all started where? Monuca's journey to starting Triyana was not a business idea, or a side hustle she wanted, but just a feeling she had after her first Ladakh trip with her friends. She was in awe of not just its beauty but also its silence. The raw, unapologetic silence that showed her the truths about her life, one that she often missed during her daily rush. That one trip led to many more, and over the years, she found herself more at home in Ladakh than anywhere else. The locals came to know her well, be it the shopkeepers, the homestay owners, the guides, or the monks, and she too grew to understand Ladakh not just as a travel destination, but as a living, breathing space. What makes Triyana stand out? From one of the adventures (Image: Triyana/Facebook) Unlike traditional travel agencies that focus on sightseeing and ticking boxes, Triyana works from a different lens. Monuca explained that Triyana is not about following an itinerary but rather about tuning into the natural pace of the place you're in. Especially in a place like Ladakh, whose rhythm is slow, soulful, and deeply grounding. Monuca says that with Triyana you will of course visit monasteries, explore valleys, and taste local food, but you will also just sit quietly beside a stream, listen to a sound meditation under the stars, or sip butter tea while chatting with a Ladakhi grandmother about her life in the mountains. Monuca also explains about her husband's journey who is a certified sound therapist, and together, they host meditation sessions and sound healing experiences for their small groups. These are not staged wellness events, but just organic, heart-led sessions that meet people exactly where they are. Under the vast Ladakhi sky, surrounded by silence and space, Monuca invites people to just pause. No pressure to perform or 'heal', but just have a space to be, to breathe, to feel. Whether it's through singing bowls echoing in a hall or a guided meditation in the open desert, or just a heart to heart conversation with Monica herself, these little moments, she believes, will be the turning points for people soon. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Ladakh in India records world's highest snow leopard density
In a scientific study conducted recently, it was revealed that Ladakh is home to the highest density of snow leopards ever recorded internationally. As per the peer-reviewed research published in the journal PLOS ONE, Ladakh has nearly 68% of India's total snow leopard population. There are 477 snow leopards alone in the region out of the national total of 709, which is a remarkable feat! What does report reveals Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an elusive big cat that can be spotted across rugged mountain terrains in 12 countries across South and Central Asia, including India. The study also revealed that the global snow leopard densities usually range between 0.92 and 1.8 animals per 100 km². The report says that Hemis National Park in Ladakh is now home to an unprecedented density of about 2.07 animals per 100 km², the highest ever recorded on the planet! This surpasses previous high-density estimates from regions in Tibet, which topped out at around 1.84 animals per 100 km². The study also shows that 39% of Ladakh's snow leopards have the majority of their activity centered within protected areas. In addition, some 57% of the big cats were found to use these protected zones in their movement patterns, highlighting the significance of such regions in the conservation of snow leopard. Most comprehensive snow leopard survey This research is being touted as the most comprehensive snow leopard survey ever conducted in Ladakh which used a double-sampling technique by researchers. The technique was used over 59,150 km² landscape! For those who don't know, the method combined occupancy surveys, camera traps, spatially explicit mark-recapture techniques, and habitat modeling to produce the most accurate assessment to date of the snow leopard's population and distribution in the region. And the credit goes to… Pankaj Raina who was the lead author of the study also serves as a divisional forest officer with the eco-task force project in Jammu. He credited the high density of snow leopards in Ladakh to many factors but mostly emphasised the role of the Ladakhi people's cultural reverence for wildlife. Next, the availability of wild prey in the region and consistent conservation work by the Ladakh Wildlife Department. He also talked about the role of Ladakh's harsh and remote terrain and low human population which promotes wildlife in the region. Local communities have long practiced coexistence with nature, which is reflected in the healthy population of snow leopards,' he explained. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ladakh's school featured in ‘3 Idiots' flick gets CBSE affiliation after a 24-year long wait
A school nestled in the cold desert of Ladakh, famously known as 'Rancho's School' from the Aamir Khan-starrer 3 Idiots — Druk Padma Karpo School — has secured CBSE affiliation, a wait spanning over two decades. The school had been trying to get the clearance since before Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019. Even after the bifurcation, several schools in the region, including Druk Padma Karpo, continued to be affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE). According to an earlier report dating back to 2023, the school received the long-pending No Objection Certificate (NOC) from JKBOSE after several failed attempts. However, completing the affiliation process with CBSE still took additional time. 'Though we had the required infrastructure, excellent results, and innovative teaching methods, we didn't get the NOC despite trying for several years,' school principal Mingur Angmo said. Under CBSE norms, schools need a 'no objection certificate' from the state board to apply for affiliation, and foreign schools require similar documents from Indian embassies or consulates. Moving beyond traditional learning Established 24 years ago, Druk Padma Karpo School is named after Mipham Pema Karpo (1527–1592), a revered scholar. 'Padma Karpo' means 'White Lotus' in Bothi, the local language. The school combines traditional Ladakhi architectural elements with modern facilities, maintaining a sustainable model suited for the harsh desert climate. Druk Padma Karpo School was ahead of its time in promoting creative and activity-based learning methods — much before the New Education Policy (NEP) pushed for similar reforms. 'With CBSE also reforming its pedagogy after the NEP, it will now be easier for us to blend our play-way methods with the structured curriculum,' Angmo said. The school, which currently offers education up to class 10, plans to expand till class 12 by 2028. Infrastructure expansion is underway, and special training sessions are being conducted for teachers to ease the transition to the CBSE pattern. Earlier, Angmo had highlighted that besides regular subjects like English, Hindi, and Sciences, the school also trained students in life skills, leadership, and problem-solving through various co-curricular activities. The 'Iconic Idiotic Wall' The school rose to national fame after being featured in 3 Idiots — particularly its 'iconic idiotic wall', shown in the film's memorable closing scene. Even today, the wall remains a popular tourist attraction, although it was relocated within the campus in 2018 to prevent disruption to students. 'Now the two areas are separate, so students are not disturbed by tourists. But sometimes, if an educational activity like mock elections is happening, we let tourists observe,' Angmo said. The wall, part of a structure damaged during the devastating 2010 flash floods, was rebuilt using traditional Ladakhi wooden structures in place of the original CBSE Affiliation Means for Students Principal Angmo believes that the CBSE affiliation will open new doors for students, both within India and abroad. 'Transitioning to higher education will now be smoother for our students. We hope to set an example of how traditional learning methods can blend with modern, structured education systems,' she added.
The Guardian
27-01-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Ice stupas of the Ladakh desert: an ingenious solution to water scarcity
As the Himalayan glaciers recede and water scarcity intensifies, communities in Ladakh, a high-altitude desert in northern India, are turning to innovative means to safeguard their future. This fragile region experiences an average annual rainfall of about 100mm. Tsering Angchuk, a farmer from the village of Stase-Dho, helped build a 22-metre ice stupa for the village Traditionally, snow and glacial melt in spring have provided water for the planting season. However, rising global temperatures are increasingly disrupting the water cycle in Ladakh, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and food security in the region. Snow melts too early in the season, while glaciers have retreated to higher altitudes, often delaying their melt. The result: a prolonged dry spell in spring that often leaves farmers without the water they need to cultivate crops and threatening food security across the region. A lone figure stands before the prize-winning Shara Phuktsey ice stupa, the highest in Ladakh In 2013, Ladakhi engineer Sonam Wangchuk introduced a solution: ice stupas. These artificial cone-shaped glaciers, named after the mound-like Buddhist monuments, are designed to store winter meltwater and gradually release it during the growing season. The stupas are constructed by channelling water from higher altitudes through underground pipes. As the water is sprayed into subzero air, it freezes into towering ice formations capable of holding millions of litres of water. During the project's inauguration in 2015, about 1,000 villagers planted more than 5,000 saplings using meltwater from the stupas, turning barren desert into cultivated land. Over the years, ice stupas have been created across numerous villages in Ladakh and plans are under way for further expansion. Middle-school student Farida Batool, along with her classmates, has helped to build several ice stupas; carpenter Phuntsok Paldan beside the stupa he built with his neighbour on the banks of the Indus in the village of Takmachik – the stupa enables local farmers to irrigate their wheat, barley, and apricots Wangchuk has emerged as a leading advocate for Ladakh's future, pressing the Indian government to take decisive action on the climate crisis and to protect Ladakhi culture and identity. In October 2024, Wangchuk and fellow climate activists underwent a 15-day fast, advocating for constitutional recognition and tribal status for Ladakh. The fast ended only after India's home affairs ministry promised to re-engage with Ladakhi civil society leaders and groups. Wangchuk's activism, coupled with dozens of other Ladahki climate organisers, is emblematic of the fight to preserve precious ecosystems. The ice stupas represent more than just a practical solution for Ladahk's water scarcity – they are powerful symbols of hope and the promise of community-led efforts to combat the challenges of a changing climate. The group of young people that built this ice stupa in the village of Gya installed a cafe in its base. They used the proceeds to take the village elders on a pilgrimage These photographs are part of the Walk of Water exhibition touring the world later this year
