Games To Play During Onam: See First Game To Try Out

HAPPY ONAM TO ALL THE READERS!!!

Onakalikal is a collective name for the numerous games played on the occasion of Onam. Let’s go into each game one by one with these pics.

Talappanthukali

Talappanthukali is one of the major outdoor games played on the occasion of Onam. The game is essentially a ball game and an extremely popular one.

Preparing the Ball

There is a unique way in which the ball is prepared for Pantukali. Layers and layers of dried up plantain are wrapped in the shape of a ball. Some pebbles are also kept inside to give weight. Prepared mass is then covered with plantain fiber or coconut fiber and made into the size of a tennis ball.

The Game

To play this unique kind of football, players divide themselves into two groups. Talappanthukali is played in an open area. Natta (a stick) is planted at one end of the ground and a line or boundary is drawn at the other end to mark the space beyond which the ball should not be thrown.

A player from the team playing from the side of Natta serves the ball to the opposite team. Players of the opposite team trying to catch the ball. If the opposite team is able to catch the ball, the player who served is considered ‘out’. And, if the catch is missed the player who served, manages to get another chance. A player wins if he throws the ball at the stick and hits it.

Order of Service for the Play:

Talappantu – Turning towards the stick and serving the ball above the head

Otta – Holding the ball and then hitting it with the right hand itself

Eratta – Holding the ball in the left hand, throwing it and hitting with the right palm

Murukki – Gripping the right hand with the left, through the back of the body and hitting the ball with the right hand

Kalumkizhu – Throwing the ball with the right hand under the right leg by lifting the leg and hitting it with the right hand

Indan – Hitting the ball with the foot

Again the first item Talappantu

To celebrate the victory after hard labor, winning team make a circle round the planted stick. They dance with joy and sing in loud chorus.