Handcrafted Traditional Indian Board Games
Reimagined classics like Chess, Solitaire, and Goats and Tigers, where 200-year-old Channapatna lac-turnery meets the intricate needlework of Lambadi artisans.
What if the classic game of chess was infused with color? Our stunning new chess set combines the Channapatna toy craft with Lambadi embroidery. Lightweight and portable, it's a work of art for any home or office.
This handcrafted chess set is a classic game reimagined through the hands of tradition. The board is portable and full of soul, making it a timeless companion for quiet afternoons and strategic minds.
We've taken the classic joy of spinning tops and given it a playful twist. Inspired by Channapatna's iconic toy, we've reimagined an entire chess set into colorful, handcrafted spinning tops. Each piece is a character, and each spin is a story.
Some call it Solitaire, we call it soul time. This handcrafted version of Brain Vita features wooden pawns from Channapatna on a hand-embroidered mat by Lambadi women. It's the perfect way to spend quiet time with yourself.
This beautiful board game is our version of the classic 'Goats and Tigers'. The wooden pawns are handcrafted by our Channapatna artisans, and the mat is custom-embroidered by Lambadi women from Sitlingi, Tamil Nadu.
Looking for games on the move? We offer classics like Snakes and Ladders, Solitaire, and Ludo. The embroidered mats are made by Lambadi women, and the wooden pawns are from our Channapatna artisans.
Our Channapatna 'Kuruvi' Tic-Tac-Toe is a timeless classic reimagined with our signature quirky birds. It's a piece of heritage, a burst of joy, and a game you'll never tire of.
About Games for Strategic Minds
We do not just sell games; we bridge distinct artisan histories. Every chess set or Solitaire board here pairs the 200-year-old Channapatna lac-turnery technique with the intricate, hand-embroidered textiles of Lambadi tribal women from Sitlingi. When you pick one of these up, you are holding the work of two different artisan communities who have never met but are now connected on your table.
These games were born from the ME to WE initiative, a project aimed at helping craftspeople across different geographies collaborate. It is rare to see the lightweight, medicinal 'Aale mara' wood of Channapatna toys sit alongside the vibrant, narrative-rich embroidery of Tamil Nadu's Lambadi tribes, but that is exactly what we have achieved here.
Why these games are different:
- The Wood: All pawns are hand-turned on a lathe using local, non-toxic vegetable dyes. They are smooth to the touch, weighted for comfort, and safe for any age.
- The Mats: The playing surfaces are not just fabric; they are stories. The Snakes and Ladders mat, for instance, depicts the daily trek the Lambadi women of Sitlingi take through maize fields to reach their training center.
- Playable Art: These are designed to be left out on a coffee table. They look just as good as a decor piece as they do when in use.
Whether you are looking for a thoughtful gift that actually gets used, or you simply want to bring a bit of quiet, analog focus back into your home, these pieces are built to last. They do not require screens or batteries, just a bit of time and a curious mind.
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