Dappa Kali

Dappa Kali being played at a school playground in Kannur

Dappa kali is a game which is popular in the northern parts of Kerala, especially in Kannur. This game requires a considerable amount of physical exercise and is mainly played by boys. This game is also known as chattiyeru and chilleru in other parts of Kannur.^[1] Dappa Kali is a different form of the game Lathi kali played mainly in Kasargod district.

Rules

A ball made entirely from coconut leaves is used in Dappa Kali

Dappa Kali is played between two teams. Each team should have at least five members and can have a maximum of twelve members. The team who wins the toss will start by throwing the ball. This game is similar to Cricket. The ball which is used in this game is called atta. The ball, which is made of coconut leaves, is thrown at seven small tiles kept on top of each other in the centre of the ground. These tiles are called dappa. The stack of dappa is called chatti. Each team member can throw three times. There will be a keeper behind the chatti. If the keeper can catch the dappa after a single bounce, the thrower loses the chance to throw again.

If the thrower manages to hit the chatti, and if the tiles fall, then the throwing team will run to a safe distance. The opposite team then has to throw the ball at them and hit them. The ball should not hit them below the knee or on their heads. The team who is throwing the ball has to replace the stack in order without being hit by the ball. If they manage to replace the seven tiles like the way they were, they will then shout dappa. While playing the game, the throwing team has to be careful about one thing. If even one member of the throwing team is hit by the ball, this team loses the game, and the other team gets to throw the ball - and the game repeats. Players are required to have good agility and flexibility to move and swing their bodies, in order to avoid being hit by the ball.

In other parts of Kerala, this game is commonly known by the name seven tiles.

References

1. ^ Interview with School teacher Biju, from Chengalai Village in Kannur District in Kerala