Tessellations: the art and science of tiling
The Sutradhar Quarterly, Vol 1, Oct-Dec 2007
Eliza Cherian
Have you ever wondered about the shapes of your tiles or how shapes fit together to form a pattern?
Well! You may be surprised to learn (I know, I was) that there is both an art and a science behind the pretty floor patterns in old homes.
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Palangudi: A game by many names
Vol 2, Jan-Mar 2008
Eliza Cherian
In this kriti Tyagaraja presents a picture of Rama's domestic life after his return from exile to Ayodhya. It is a portrait of conjugal bliss where Rama relaxes as king, plays a game of pallanguzhi with Sita, wins the game and enjoys his banter with Sita. Hanuman and Bharatha look on.
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Tic-Tac-Toe
Vol 3, April-June 2008
Eliza Cherian
Noughts and Crosses or Tic-Tac-Toe as it is popularly known in American English is probably one of the first games that children play. The game has many synonyms including Hugs and Kisses (USA, Canada), Ta-te-ti (Argentina), Ezys-Ozys (northern Ireland), X, O (Iran, Egypt), X, Mix, Drix (Israel). Noughts and Crosses seem the most prevalent name for it (except in the USA where a single ‘x’ is not referred to as cross and ‘nought’ means an archaism and not ‘0’…!)
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Pagade: the national game of India
Vol 4, July-Sep 2008
Eliza Cherian
Perhaps no other game is played in so many different variations all over India as Pagade. From the family of Cross and Circle games, Pagade is believed to be among the oldest indigenous games from India and is sometimes referred to as the national game of India.
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Play is serious business
Vol 5, Oct-Dec 2008
Vinita
Parents who take their children to the park often do not realise what a rich learning space it is. Outdoor play helps children exercise their muscles, develops endurance, and refines their motor skills.
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Adoption and schooling
Vol 6, Jan-Mar 2009
Nayantara Mallya
Teachers in schools today may be surprised by answers to some assignments! As the concept of what defines a family changes across society, there are more students in schools from single-parent, grandparent-only, step-parent and adoptive families.
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Docteur Clown Bangalore
Vol 7, April-June 2009
Vinita
“Our job is to make the children feel special...build a connection with them...give them love”, is how a member of Docteur Clown, Bangalore, puts it.
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Waldorf Education
Vol 8, July-Sep 2009
Vinita
One would think urban parents are spoilt for choice these days, with regard to playschools. And yet, one visit to The Promise Centre in Bangalore suggests that it is one of a kind – a Waldorf-inspired early childhood programme.
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Play therapy in hospitals
Vol 9, Oct-Dec 2009
Revathi Suresh
‘Play is voluntary. Play evolves. Play is about what the child can do actively rather than what activity can do for the child. Material facilitates play, but does the child want to play?’ says Meera Oke, questioning the very idea of organised play seen in most preschools.
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A library movement across Karnataka
Vol 10, Jan-Mar 2010
Vinita
Hippocampus is one of the city’s landmarks – a library that was set up in 2003 in response to the dearth of good children's libraries in Bangalore.
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