Chess booth draws young enthusiasts at traditional festival

Rangthylliang (Pynursla), Feb 13: The Bengal Bard, Rabindranath Tagore, once wrote that one must scourge the ashes to look for gems. Mukul Bhandari is following the same philosophy and exploring his world in 64 squares.

Shad Lyngdoh in the village of Rangthylliang in Pynursla is assisting Bhandari in finding the gems.

According to Shad Committee Secretary Morningstar Khongthaw, the traditional festival, akin to the Nongkrem dance, involves about 40 villages. This is the first time that the festival is promoting chess and featuring the indoor game by providing a space for it.

“I live in Rangthylliang but I could not teach anyone the game here for various reasons. This time, I was approached by the Shad Committee to have a chess counter and here we are, inspiring children and teaching everyone about the game,” said Bhandari, who is a chess trainer.

This is the first time that a traditional festival is giving space to a game that is not so popular in the state. This correspondent went around the festival ground and found people enthusiastically betting for money or “lucky draw”.

However, the chess counter had young enthusiasts. Some of them were first learners and others were students of Bhandari. They were pouring onto the chessboard and were inquisitive to know more about the game.

“This is a great way to expand the knowledge base of the youngsters. We wanted to set an example that chess can be a way to enhance knowledge about life and life skills. I do not know the game but I wish to learn,” said Khongthaw.

Iairisha Tympuin was assisting Bhandari in explaining the game to the first-timers. She guided the children through the game and explained every move.

Hiphi Khongim (29), who works for Bhandari, said he has been learning chess for a year. “In school, I would see some students play. I was interested but could not learn then. Now, Bah Mukul teaches me. I am still a novice but I would like to continue the game,’ he said.

A hidden talent

If chess was the game of the day, colours on canvas kept the photo booth at the festival venue busy. Pynshngainlang Sohkhlet, a painter from the village, was humble enough to come and introduce himself.

“I want to have my exhibition but I am targeting 40 paintings,” said the 29-year-old painter, who is a small-time trader.

The painting of the hearth warms the heart and the meiid stitching a blanket reminds of the filial connection of the Khasis.

The Shad Lyngdoh was not a conventional Khasi traditional festival but interspersed with activities that spruced up the mood. Children participating in the chess games and visitors appreciating the photo booth adorned with the paintings of a local painter were enough to make one feel close to the community.