Mysuru: Ramsons Kala Pratishtana (RKP) is ready with its ninth edition of Kreeda Kaushalya — the traditional games exhibition and sale. The expo will be open from Apr. 27 to May 14 between 10 am and 7 pm everyday including weekends.

It will be inaugurated tomorrow at 11 am by Indrakshi Devi and R. Raja Chandra at Handicrafts Sales Emporium (HSE) at Ramsons, opposite Zoo, in Ittigegud. Dr. H.P. Devaki, Director, Oriental Research Institute (ORI), University of Mysore, will be the chief guest.

From its inception in 2007, Kreeda Kaushalya has till now introduced over 30 traditional board games that were and are popular across the geographical regions of the country albeit in variations.

This edition of Kreeda Kaushalya features seven new games: Tabla, 28-sepoys, Huli Kallu, Basavana Aata, Daya Kattam, Immadi Huli Kattu and 12-Men’s Morris. A printed set of rules, easy to comprehend is given with each board game that is purchased.

Kreeda Kaushalya’s board games set of pawns, boards and dice have been designed by the Ramsons Kala Pratishtana’s resident curator and graphic designer, H.S. Dharmendra. A bewildering variety of media ranging from embroidered silk to Saharanpur inlaid wood, from the brightly painted Jaipur wood to dark ebony teak of say Palanguli or Aliguli Mane, have been used while the pawn sets are equally brightly painted and as colourful. The tiny tigers and goats carved out of softwood and exquisitely painted are eye-catching. Chess sets in onyx and inlay and the classic Chaturanga or four-handed chess are also on display.

Kreeda Kaushalya is the celebration of a heritage that encompassed rural and urban societies with ease. The Kreeda Kaushalya Research team of Raghu Dharmendra and Dr. Dilip Kumar (a medical professional) led by R.G. Singh have made field forays across the country collecting board games memorabilia, documenting popular games and finally brought out a well-documented and illustrated monograph on traditional board games. This book was released at the 19th International Board Game Studies Colloquium that was held at Nuremberg, Germany, in 2016. The monograph is priced at Rs.300 (the special offer price for the duration of the exhibition is Rs.250). The monograph is available for sale at the venue.

Kreeda Kaushalya has a ‘special games parlour’ a section set aside for those interested in playing a game or two, without losing his or her kingdom !

For details, contact Mob: 98801-11625 [Raghu Dharmendra]