Khupoli /Gola chhut

It is a game of two teams. Minimum two children in each team are required. But the game becomes more interesting if there are more children about 5-10 in each team. To form the teams children need to follow a procedure. Among them they select two leaders. One of the leaders is the Roja (King) and the other one is the Rani (Queen). The other children have to make several pairs amongst themselves. After that, the leaders need tosay loudly-Daak Daak Rojar Daak (The King is calling). Then one pair of children has to come to the leaders. Now, the leaders have to ask them whether they want to go to the king or queen. Accordingly, by choice one of the children in the pair has to go to the king and other one to the queen. Similarly, the leaders again need to call another pair by saying Daak Daak Rojar Daak. Likewise, one by one the pairs have to come to the leaders and divide themselves into two and in this way, the entire children gets divided into two teams. After the grouping, the actual game starts. A groove, where the heel gets a grip, needs to be made on the ground. Now, as decided by themselves, one of the groups has to make a human chain by holding hands of each other.

The leader of this group has to put his/her one of the heels in the grove. The grove is considered as a source of power. As the leader of the children chain keeps his/her heel in the grove he/she is assumed to be powerful. Since children are in a chain by holding each other it is also assumed that the power has been transmitted to each one of them as they are connected with each other. The entire group remains powerful as long as they are in the chain and the heel of the leader is inside the grove. A boundary needs to be drawn at certain distance from the chain. The children of the other team have to be stand in a scattered manner in between the human chain and the boundary drawn. Now, the children chain needs to try to do two things simultaneously. Firstly, as much as possible, they have to try to touch the children of the opponent team by extending their hands and make them out. Secondly, one or more of them have to try to cross the drawn boundary by freeing his/her/their hands from the chain assuming the possibility of crossing the boundary. While doing so, few of the children of the opponent team require chasing and try to touch them to make the children out who are trying to cross the line.

At this point the game becomes very exciting. Children who made them free from the chain have to run at various directions by saving themselves from the opponent players and accordingly the opponent players also need to chase them to catch. Further, if in any case the heel of the leader comes out from the Khupoli (grove in the ground), the entire team will be considered as out. Thus, generally, the team selects the leader to keep the heel in the Khupoli whom they feel a bit stronger and claver than others. The chain team also need to do a trick while playing to divert the opponent team by moving the entire chain in a circular motion. As the chain moves, the players of opponent team also require scattering themselves to block their ways towards the boundary from various routes. The children of the opponent team should not try to touch the children of the other team when they are in chain. As soon as the hands of the child/children are freed from the chain they become vulnerable as once the hands are released from the chain, they cannot reconnect again and at that point the children of the opponent team need to take the advantage to touch or catch them. The children who freed themselves from the chain have to run fast towards the boundary by saving themselves being touched or caught. In this way both the teams have to try to achieve their targets and the game continues till the last player remains.

Benefits for the players

1. Excellent scope for strengthening body muscles. 2. Develop team spirits. 3. Scope to generate intelligence with action.
2. Learn to give right move at right time. 5. Develops leadership quality. 6. Scope to practice for fast running. 7. Learn and dare to attempt risk 8. Gives opportunity to generate fun.

 The Khupoli game has elements of teamwork, strategy, and competition. Here’s an updated explanation of how to play this version:

Setup

1. Participants:

Two groups: Chain players: Form a single chain by holding hands.

Opponents: Try to break the chain or catch players who become disconnected.

A referee can oversee the game to resolve disputes, if necessary.

Playing Area

A boundary is marked (using lines or natural markers like trees or stones) to create the “field.”

One side is designated as the starting area for the chain players, and the other side is the safe zone.

Rules and Gameplay

Objective for the Chain Players:

Move as a connected chain and cross the boundary to reach the safe zone without breaking the chain or being caught by the opponents.

Objective for the Opponents:

Prevent the chain players from crossing by catching players who become disconnected from the chain or breaking the chain.

1. Starting the Game:

The chain players begin near the grove or starting area.

They draw “power” (symbolically or by touching the tree) and move toward the boundary in a snakelike motion.

2. Crossing the Boundary:

The chain players try to cross the marked boundary together as one intact chain.

If any part of the chain breaks, the disconnected players are vulnerable to being caught by the opponents.

3. Catching the Players:

Opponents patrol the boundary or try to intercept the chain.

They can attempt to tag players who are disconnected or forcefully break the chain by separating the handhold between players.

If an opponent successfully tags a disconnected player, that player is “out” or joins the opponent team.

4. Winning the Game:

Chain Players Win: If the entire chain crosses the boundary and reaches the safe zone without breaking.

Opponents Win: If they manage to break the chain and catch enough players to prevent the remaining chain from crossing.

Strategies

For the Chain Players: Hold hands tightly and move in a coordinated way to avoid breaking the chain. Use quick, unexpected movements to confuse the opponents.

Protect weaker or younger players by positioning them in the middle of the chain.

For the Opponents: Focus on separating the chain at weak points.

Strategically block key areas near the boundary to make crossing difficult.

Tag disconnected players quickly before they can rejoin the chain.

Cultural Significance

This version of Khupoli emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and the thrill of competition. It not only provides physical exercise but also fosters a sense of unity and playful rivalry among children. The connection to nature and the symbolic “power” from the grove adds a cultural and imaginative dimension to the game.