Kuttiyum kolum

An illustration of the game

Kuttiyum kolum English - Boy and Cane is a traditional and interesting game played in Kerala, India.^[1] It is similar to an ancient game found all over the Indian Subcontinent with different names, such as Gilli-danda in North India. A similar game by the name of Lippa has been played in Italy.

Origin

Kuttiyum kolum, or Gilli Danda, is an ancient sport of India, possibly with origins over 2500 years ago.^[2][3]

Rules

Children playing this game in Kuttanad area

The objective of the sport is to use the kolu like a baseball bat to strike the kutti (similar to striking a ball in cricket or baseball). For this purpose, a circle is drawn in the ground in which a small, oblong- or spindle-shaped hole is dug (the overall shape looks like a traditional boat). This hole is smaller than the kutti but as the play progresses the size may increase due to wear. The kutti is inserted into the hole either orthogonally, or at an angle. The danda is then swung (similar to a golf swing) and strikes the kutti. Another variation is when the kolu lifts or pries the kutti out of the hole at a high speed.

Scoring and outs

There are many regional variations to scoring.

One of the more popular ones is given below:

In the first step, called "kori kuthu", which is the qualifier, the striker places the kutti on the hole, and using the kolu lofts the kutti as far as he can. The kutti becomes airborne after it is lofted. If a fielder from the opposing team catches the kutti, the striker is out. If the kutti lands on the ground, the fielder closest to the kutti has one chance to hit the kolu ( with a throw (similar to a run out in cricket). If the fielder misses the kolu, the striker progresses to the next step. In step two, called "ittadi" (meaning drop and strike), the striker holds kutti and kolu in the same hand, drops the kutti and strikes at it before it reaches ground. If the fielders catch the kutti, the striker goes out. If the kutti hits the ground, the fielder throws it back at the hole. Now, the Striker hits the kutti again. The striker then measures the distance from the point where the kutti lands, up to the hole, using the kolu in a straight line. If the measure is less than one length of kolu, the striker is out. The measuring sub-steps are: Saadu, Muri, Naazhi, Aytti, Aarenku. On measuring up to Aarenku, the striker counts one point and proceedes starting with Saadu again. Depending on the sub step at which the measure has ended the striker strikes the kutti from different positions: Saadu -> Places the kutty on the feet, tosses up and strikes with the kolu Muri -> (easy one) drops the kutti from one hand and strikes with the kolu Naazhi -> Places the kutti on the back of the palm with middle and ring fingers bent inwards, tosses up the kutti and strikes with the kolu Aytti -> drops the kutti from the elbow and strikes with the kolu Aarenku -> (tough one) Closes an eye, places the kutti over it, drops it and strikes with the kolu.

From ittadi onwards, the striker gets points depending on how far he can strike the kutti back, when the fielder throws back.

Teams

There is no official limit on the number of players in kuttium-kolum and grouped into two teams . Kuttium-kolum can be played where each individual plays for themselves, or between two teams.

References

1. The Hindu
2. Steve Craig (2002), Sports and Games of the Ancients: (Sports and Games Through History), ISBN 978-0313316005, pages 63-65
3. John Arlott (1975), The Oxford Companion to World Sports and Games, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0192115386