Carrom

The game of Carrom was just made aware to me thanks to Abhishek Balaria over at Zentity.com. His company has produced an iPod Games App playable on iPhone, iPod Touch and the soon to be released iPad. Zentity and their game app were recently featured in great article on livemint.com.  Thank you to Abhishek for introducing me to the game of Carrom.

Carrom, the Game:

The game of carrom is played in India since 18th century. Although no concrete evidence is available, it originated from India. Maharajas were playing this game in their palaces. One Carrom Board with its surface made of glass is still available in one of the palaces in Patiala. It became very popular among the masses particularly after the 1st World War. State level competitions were being held in different States of India during early part of the nineteenth century. Once treated to be a pastime game, carom is now being played by about 20 million people in India alone. It is widely played in the Indian sub-continent. Like Badminton, Polo and Hockey, little known in the West earlier, carrom is now poised to have massive presence in the West. It is increasingly becoming popular all over the world and is played in about 50 countries. At international level this game is controlled and supervised by the International Carrom Federation and respective continental Federations.

Few Japanese players played the game of carrom at Antarctica. A record created by USA players in carrom has been included in the Guineas Book of Records. International carrom players were honoured in the Palace of Westminister, House of Commons, U.K. Indian world champions were honoured by Her Excellency, President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in the President House. They were also honoured in Parliament House by Mr. Jai Parkash Agarwal, Member of Parliament. His Excellency, President of Republic of Maldives, Mr. Maumoon Abul Gayoom is the Patron-in-Chief of the Asian Carrom Confederation. One of the carrom players, A. Maria Irudayam, was conferred with most prestigious Indian National Sports Award (Arjuna Award) in 1997 by His Excellency, President of India, Mr. K.R. Narayanan.

Carrom is one of the most popular indoor games in India. Once treated a pastime game limited to children and ladies, it is now played at competitive level in an organized manner. It is a scientific game and is based on physics and geometry. It requires thorough knowledge of angles, deftness of touch, keen sight and superlative control of nerves besides mental and physical fitness. It also requires skill and deep concentration. www.indiacarrom.com

Touch Carrom: Striker Edition is the #1 sports app in India according to Abhishek. I’ll be checking it out tonight!

More information on Carrom:

All India Carrom Federation (AICF)

United States Carrom Association

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