Make Onam all the more fun with games

ONCE the sadya and payasams have been devoured and the banana leaves are cleared, there is something everyone thinks about: what next?

- SUPRIYA

Traditionally, families would spend the late afternoon playing games like tug-of-war (vadamvali) or the pot-breaking game of uriyadi. However, a lack of space in today's homes demands new ways to keep that playful spirit of Onam alive.

Here are some games with an Onam twist that one can try at home.

Pookkalam puzzle
•Print or draw pictures of traditional pookalams and cut them into small puzzle pieces
•Place all the pieces face down on a table or floor
•Divide into teams
•When the game starts, each team has to flip the pieces over and race to put their pookkalam back together
•The first team to complete their puzzle wins

Onam charades
•Write Onam-themed words (like onasadya, vallam kali, mahabali, payasam, pulikali) on slips of paper