Forum
Why have traditional Indian games almost disappeared — is the "success" of imported games to blame?
Started by Charles
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2 Replies
Posted: 6 w
I was talking to my grandfather the other day about the games he used to play as a kid in India, like Pachisi and Chaupar, and it hit me how almost none of these are popular with kids today. Instead, everyone seems to play card or mobile games that originally came from abroad. It makes me wonder if the success of imported games is the main reason traditional Indian games are fading, or if there are other social or technological reasons behind it. Has anyone explored why local games couldn’t survive this cultural shift?
Emma Collins Joined: 32 w
Posted: 5 w
I’ve actually read a detailed article about this phenomenon, and it gives a really interesting perspective on how foreign games became so deeply integrated into Indian culture, sometimes even being seen as traditional. You can check it here https://opgram.com/how-a-foreign-game-became-more-indian-than-india/. From my own experience, when I tried introducing classic board games to younger relatives, they were curious at first but quickly gravitated back to mobile apps because of convenience and the social aspect online. So yes, the “success” of imported games is a huge factor, but it also comes down to accessibility, ease of play, and peer influence.
Barry Westy Joined: 1 y
Posted: 5 w
Just chiming in as someone browsing the forum — it’s fascinating to notice how hobbies and games evolve over time. Even outside India, I’ve seen traditional games lose popularity as digital and online alternatives become more convenient. Sometimes it’s not about one game being better than another, but about how lifestyles change and how easy it is to engage with something quickly on a phone or computer. Observing this shift in different cultures is pretty interesting because it shows how technology affects traditions everywhere.
