In Pune, Megha Bhat (59) often visits her childhood friend's house on quiet afternoons. They gather around a table, choosing tiles for themselves and scanning for matching sequences. Tea, coffee, and snacks are served generously as they roll dice and begin playing Mahjong. This ancient game from 19th century China has gained popularity recently in the city.
Megha, who has been a Mahjong player for 15 years, speaks about the thriving Mahjong community in Pune. Similarly, Delhi resident Vineeta Sahni (63) shares her passion for Mahjong, a game she picked up over 25 years ago. Originally popular among defence services wives, the game has evolved over time.
Mahjong, a game of skill and strategy, is now enjoyed at family gatherings and social clubs. Similar to the card game rummy, Mahjong involves 144 tiles featuring Chinese characters and symbols. The objective is to create a full hand with four melds (sets of three tiles) and a pair. Melds can consist of three consecutive numbers, identical tiles, or four of the same tile. Rules may vary based on location and variations of the game.
Sangeeta Kewalramani from Mumbai has been playing Mahjong for 16 years and teaching it for five. Introduced to the game by expats, she offers beginner sessions to help people get started."This game is Mahjong, originating in China, and enjoyed worldwide with each country adding its own modifications. I also teach my students how to calculate scores," she mentioned. Depending on the table rules, some play it as a social gambling game with payouts based on final scores. However, most people play Mahjong purely for fun. Sharon Dhondy, a Mahjong player and teacher, is a regular at Mumbai's popular family clubs like Willingdon Sports Club and CCI. "Mahjong is not a difficult game; it doesn't require intense focus or heavy thinking. It's challenging yet fun, suitable for all age groups," she explained. Besides the original Chinese version, there's also an American way of playing Mahjong. While some enjoy the multi-player online version, offline play has gained popularity. A Mahjong set costs around Rs 12,000-14,000, with racks priced at Rs 8,000-10,000. "The cost can be divided among the four players when playing regularly," Dhondy shared. For many players, Mahjong is addictive and imparts life skills like patience, integrity, and adapting to chaos. A game typically lasts 2-2.5 hours for three to four rounds, depending on player age and speed. "Mahjong isn't just for seniors or women; it's enjoyed by all during family gatherings. Perhaps it carries the stereotype of an older generation's game due to its association with traditional board games," a Pune-based Mahjong player added.
