Cool card games | Volcanic rock temple | Holi 11 ways | V Shantaram's songs | Khus sharbat
Five unique Indian things to explore this week
Three great card games
The Indian summer is already at hand! Playing cards have been a classic Indian way of staying engaged. Here are three cool games to try out in the holidays:
Seven of Diamonds (Also called Badaam Saat / Satte pe Satta). Distribute all cards among players. Player with 7 of diamonds begins, others can only put cards either above (8-K) or below (6-A) it, or play another 7 of any other suit. When last 3 cards are left in the hand, player has to give a ‘warning’ of how many cards you hold, and how many of them you are "sure" (not stuck in queue). Trick is to hold up playing cards in order to make others suffer and stay in queue behind yours. Player who discards all cards successfully, wins.
Show! Unlike other card games, in this one you discard a card first and then pick one from the suit. Give each player 5 cards. Each person discards the cards with maximum points (solo or pairs/ same-suit sequences can be discarded together) and picks one card from the centre deck. When any person feels they have the least points in hand among all players, they "show". If anyone else has lesser points than you, you get the summation of everyone's points. If yours was the least, you get zero while others have their totals added to them. Person with least points at the end of the game, wins.
Not-At-Home. Divide all cards between players. (If only 2 players, hide some cards away randomly). Player begins by asking any other player for a specific card. If they have it, they have to hand it over. This continues until some player gets the card or the owner wrong. In that case, the turn passes to the player who said "Not At Home" (I don't have it). Game continues till one person has all the cards of the other players. Great for memory too.
What's your favourite? Send in your answers.
A temple carved from volcanic rock
If you are planning a summer getaway to the beach, do check out the 12th century Tambdi Surla temple in Goa. Located in a remote place in the middle of a forest, it survived from the Kadamba period largely untouched. The temple is built of basalt rock, which is believed to have been carried across the mountains from the Deccan plateau and carved by craftsmen.
Holi, 11 different ways
Holi is round the corner. But did you know different cultures celebrate it in different ways, and in some cases even on different days. Here's a nice summary of 11 different kinds of Holi celebrated around India.
And don't forget to check out the Colours of India quiz for your family. Download it just for Rs 99 (free for Iconiq 10 subscribers who will get it tomorrow).
V Shantaram and his unique songs
Are ja re hat natkhat
Na chhoo re mera ghoonghat
Palat ke doongi aaj tujhe gaali re
Mujhe samjho na tum bholi bhaali re
This Holi-themed song became super famous back in the year, because of the unique dance and catchy lyrics. If you read them aloud you will see you barely need music!
Many songs from V Shantaram's classics are like that: He took a keen interest in the music, often 'ghost directing' many of his numbers. Members of our team each have their favourite. Enjoy this playlist with your family!
Khus Sharbat recipe
As the sun rages, get loaded on this recipe of Khus sharbat. You can add green food colour for that extra effect. Otherwise, you can just go green in spirit and enjoy it as is.
Did you enjoy this week’s recommendations?