Edakoodam' of The Fun Kind

TNIE speaks to Gireesh Koorara, who is on a mission to popularise 'Edakoodam', a Rubik's Cube-like wooden puzzle that was once popular in Kerala

- MAHIMA ANNA JACOB

Often used as a cautionary term, the Malayalam word 'edakoodam' is a reminder to think carefully before acting. The word, which means difficult to solve or to do something thoughtlessly, is often shared in critical moments before making any important decision or when one is stuck in a quagmire.

While it is frequently heard in daily life, many may not realise that 'edakoodam' also refers to a wooden puzzle of yore. Yes, a game that was quite popular back in the day in Kerala. Solving the puzzle was a matter of pride for many.

Edakoodam is a compilation of wooden blocks that can be arranged together and form a figure only with analytical and geometrical skills.

However, with time, many new puzzles came to the fore. Rubik's Cube is a prime example. It became a global sensation. There would be few who haven't tried it.

Now, reviving the popularity of the good-old Edakoodam is Gireesh Koorara, a carpenter hailing from Kannur. Much like solving the puzzle, crafting it is an art in itself. The 65-year-old has been honing this craft for the past five years, consistently creating various forms of Edakoodam ever since.