Oonch Neech
Encyclopedia
Oonch Neech is a rural and urban street
children's game and variation of Tag game
played of North India
and Pakistan
. Oonch Neech (Hindi
) translates Up and Down in English.
In Andhra Pradesh
, it is played in the name of Nela Banda, (Telugu
:నేల-బండ) which is now extinct owing to urbanization and western influence. This game needs needs at least 4 or more kids. A place where you will find foot path or jogging lane or some surface higher than the level of grass is ideal to play this game.
In the game, other players tease the catcher by saying "Hum tumhari Neech pe or Hum tumhari Oonch pe" which mean "We're in your area, catch us". In Telugu
, it is translated as "Nee nelanta pappu suddha" or "Nee bandanta pappu suddha". The catcher is asked by the players "Which area do you want? Oonch (up) or Neech (down)?". The catcher choses the area as per his convenience.
, Oonch Neech Beech (1989), starring Sanjeev Kumar and Shabana Azmi
.
Street game
A street game is a sport or game that is played on city streets rather than a prepared field. Street games are usually simply play time activities of children in the most convenient venue...
children's game and variation of Tag game
Tag (game)
Tag is a playground game played worldwide that involves one or more players chasing other players in an attempt to tag or touch them, usually with their fingers. There are many variations...
played of North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Oonch Neech (Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
) translates Up and Down in English.
In Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, it is played in the name of Nela Banda, (Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
:నేల-బండ) which is now extinct owing to urbanization and western influence. This game needs needs at least 4 or more kids. A place where you will find foot path or jogging lane or some surface higher than the level of grass is ideal to play this game.
Terms
Oonch: means an area higher than the ground level or simply Upper Level. Neech: means the ground area or the lower surface area or simply Lower Level. Danner: The person who will catch the other members who are playing.Overview
After a chain-cut, a person, say A is chosen as Daner or catcher. The playing members will ask the Danner : 'Oonch neech ka papada—Oonch mangi ki neech?' means what you want the upper level or the lower level. The catcher chooses either Oonch (any height) or Neech (ground). Usually he choses Neech, so as to move. Once A choses Oonch, he should not step on Neech by any means and on the other hand, he will not let other players to step on his ground. If B stays on ground by mistake and if he is captured by A, then B becomes the catcher in the next game.In the game, other players tease the catcher by saying "Hum tumhari Neech pe or Hum tumhari Oonch pe" which mean "We're in your area, catch us". In Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
, it is translated as "Nee nelanta pappu suddha" or "Nee bandanta pappu suddha". The catcher is asked by the players "Which area do you want? Oonch (up) or Neech (down)?". The catcher choses the area as per his convenience.
In popular culture
The game has lend itself to the title of a 1989 Bollywood filmBollywood films of 1989
A list of films produced by the Bollywood film industry based in Mumbai in 1989:-Highest grossing:The top five grossing films at the Indian Box Office in 1989:-1989-releases:- External links :* at the Internet Movie Database...
, Oonch Neech Beech (1989), starring Sanjeev Kumar and Shabana Azmi
Shabana Azmi
Shabana Azmi is an Indian actress of film, television and theatre. An alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India of Pune, she made her film debut in 1974 and soon became one of the leading actresses of parallel cinema, an Indian New Wave movement known for its serious content and...
.