Observing children’s growing dependence on gadgets, especially after the pandemic, led to the realization that many kids were losing joy in natural play and real social connections.

To counter this, organizing Tharaa Traditional Gaming events became a way to revive authentic human interaction, emotional growth, and cultural connection among children, encouraging screen-free bonding experiences.

These games offer not just entertainment but also important lessons in teamwork, patience, creativity, and emotional regulation vital in today’s tech-driven world.

Tackling Gadget Addiction with Traditional Play

The surge in children’s gadget use post-pandemic revealed worrying signs: difficulties concentrating, diminished social skills, and preference for screens over interactions. This pushed the initiative to organize traditional gaming events, motivated by a desire to restore the joy and meaningful connections these games foster.

“Observing children during these events helped identify gadget addiction as a serious issue impacting focus and communication” suganya said. The engagement in classic games provided a powerful antidote by encouraging face-to-face play and reducing screen dependence.

Benefits of Traditional Games in Child Development

While speaking with The Logical Indian, Suganya addressed “Thaaraa Traditional games serve as more than pastime; they nurture cognitive, emotional, and social growth.” Games like Pallanguzhi, Bambaram, Paramapadam, and others promote teamwork, patience, creativity, and social communication. These activities also develop critical skills such as problem-solving, emotional balance, and sportsmanship.

She also stated, “Children learn to handle winning and losing gracefully, regulate feelings of excitement or disappointment, and build confidence and independence. Such holistic development is less achievable through digital interactions and highlights traditional games’ role in shaping well-rounded personalities.”

Making Traditional Games Appealing Today

To engage tech-savvy children, traditional games are presented in vibrant, interactive formats featuring colorful setups, friendly competition, and small rewards. Inclusion of families further enriches the experience, creating a lively environment that naturally draws children’s interest.

“These modern adaptations maintain the essence of age-old games while adding excitement, keeping children interested despite the allure of digital screens. This approach successfully bridges traditional cultural play with contemporary children’s expectations,” she stated.

Cultural Preservation and Educational Impact

Thaaraa Traditional Games are vital carriers of culture, transmitting values like discipline, respect, patience, and cooperation. In events, the stories and traditions behind each game are shared, ensuring cultural wisdom passes effectively to younger generations.

Schools and community groups have shown strong support for these initiatives, recognizing the dual benefit of preserving heritage while addressing modern challenges like social isolation and decreased physical activity. Efforts to integrate traditional games into school curricula are underway, emphasizing holistic child development and cultural connection.​

Lasting Positive Changes and Vision Ahead

Post-event observations reveal children showing enhanced confidence, better communication, emotional self-control, and reduced screen time. A striking example is a child on the autism spectrum experiencing deep focus and joy through traditional play, underscoring therapeutic benefits beyond entertainment. Parents express relief and happiness seeing their children choose play over phones.

The vision is to expand this movement nationwide, raise awareness, and embed traditional games in educational systems, promoting balanced, culturally rich childhood experiences. The message for parents and educators is clear: balanced play combining technology with 20–30 minutes daily of traditional games can greatly enhance children’s overall growth and emotional well-being.

The Logical Indian Perspective

Reflecting on this initiative, The Logical Indian emphasizes the timely revival of traditional games as part of India’s cultural roots and holistic child development. In an era dominated by screens, these games reconnect children with their heritage while offering essential life skills that technology alone cannot provide.

The Logical Indian supports campaigns that encourage screen-time balance, promote community participation, and preserve cultural heritage through age-old games. Such efforts align with broader social objectives to nurture responsible, socially adept, and emotionally balanced future citizens grounded in Indian values.

If you’d like us to feature your story, please write to us at csr@5w1h.media