Ganjifa Cards Ganjifa Cards Raja and MantriOriginal Source: Text and Photo from: 'Ganjifa-Playing Cards of Odisha', by Ritu Sethi, Published by Asia InCH Encyclopedia of Intagible Cultural Heritage
A passion and pastime common to kings and commoners, playable indoors or outside by young and old, men and women, the easily portable game of cards has been a significant part of custom and culture across the sub-continent.
Its play dependent on the creativity, skill and the matching of wits of the players.
While the origin of playing cards in India cannot be pinpointed it is believed that the game was introduced by the Mughal with the first mention of the game of Ganjifa in the Babarnama, the memoir of the founder of the Mughal dynasty - Emperor Babar.
Ganjifa Box Ganjifa boxOriginal Source: Text and Photo from: 'Ganjifa-Playing Cards of Odisha', by Ritu Sethi, Published by Asia InCH Encyclopedia of Intagible Cultural Heritage
The playing of Ganjifa spread rapidly and while sumptuous sets of ivory and tortoise shell inlaid with precious stones were crafted for the aristocracy the more quotidian decks were made from wood, palm leaf, leather, sandalwood, treated cloth and other material.
Ganjifa Cards Ganjifa Cards Raja and MantriOriginal Source: Text and Photo from: 'Ganjifa-Playing Cards of Odisha', by Ritu Sethi, Published by Asia InCH Encyclopedia of Intagible Cultural Heritage
The game too adapted to players and regions, with variations in rules and the size of deck. From the 96 cards 8 suit Mughal Ganjifa to the popular 8 to 12 suit Dashavatar set based on the incarnations of Vishnu. The commonality between these card sets being their circular shape in sizes ranging from 4 to 7 cms.
Ganjifa Cards with flower motifs Flower GanjifaOriginal Source: Text and Photo from: 'Ganjifa-Playing Cards of Odisha', by Ritu Sethi, Published by Asia InCH Encyclopedia of Intagible Cultural Heritage
The play of Ganjifa has almost died out across the country with the ubiquitous availability of the rectangular 52-card set introduced into India by the British. Yet the tradition of making the cards continues in several parts of the country including Bishnupur in Bengal, Mysore in Karnataka and Sawantwadi in Maharashtra.
GanjifaOriginal Source: Text and Photo from: 'Ganjifa-Playing Cards of Odisha', by Ritu Sethi, Published by Asia InCH Encyclopedia of Intagible Cultural Heritage
In Odisha the game called Ganjappa continues to be played though fewer and fewer players are to be found.
Ganjifa Cards with flower motifs GanjifaOriginal Source: Text and Photo from: 'Ganjifa-Playing Cards of Odisha', by Ritu Sethi, Published by Asia InCH Encyclopedia of Intagible Cultural Heritage
Different motifs, Pip card running from 1 (ace) to 10, Cards are designed with flower motif.
Ganjifa Box Ganjifa BoxOriginal Source: Text and Photo from: 'Ganjifa-Playing Cards of Odisha', by Ritu Sethi, Published by Asia InCH Encyclopedia of Intagible Cultural Heritage
The Ganjappa decks are crafted by members of the Chitrakar community in Raghurajpur village and in Bhubaneshwar in Odisha.
Ganjifa CardsOriginal Source: Text and Photo from: 'Ganjifa-Playing Cards of Odisha', by Ritu Sethi, Published by Asia InCH Encyclopedia of Intagible Cultural Heritage
Using cloth or paper that is strengthened with powdered tamarind seed gum, smoothened, cut round, then painted they are finally lacquered giving it a shine and reinforcing the card to allow for continuous use.
Asia InCH Encyclopedia
