Carrom Association

Salman Khan
Salman Khan likes beautiful things and to prove it he has designed a van for himself.

“Salmanbhai’s van will be like his second house. This is why he wanted to design this van himself. The van will cost Rs 80 lakh. He wanted enough space in the van to park his Suzuki Hayabusa bike too, In all likelihood, the van will be ready by May 5.”

says our source.
It will cost around Rs 80 lakh Rupees.That’s nearly £100,000.

The best thing about it will be a corner where he can play carrom and other games.

Wonder if he’d sponsor some competitions?

He could call it “The Salman Khan Carrom Contest”.

We need some photos of him playing the game.

Think how that would lift Carrom’s profile if he appeared in some photos of a glossy mag., playing Carrom to relax after a hard day’s filming?

There will be two rooms in the Carromavan, a private one and a second room for meetings.

He also gets a top of the range music system, a plasma TV, a huge collection of DVDs, refrigerator, coffee machine, toilet and a shower.

The interior will be decorated using paintings done by Bhai’s himself.

More details about the Carromavan and more Salman Khan facts.

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Footloose and fancy free

Although there is a Jamacian flag showing Bob Marley this photo was taken in Sri Lanka.

Pat and Ali are a young couple sailing around the world.

One of their ports of call was Sri Lanka, where they learned to play carom.

They must have enjoyed the game because they even went to a carrom board factory to see how the boards are made and bought a carrom board there to take with them on their travels.

I hope they have a safe and enjoyable trip.

But they must be careful they don’t drop any pieces, in case they roll overboard.

Then they’d be sunk.

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This week I have heard from friends in London.
They run the Carromcafe in Spitalfields market on a Sunday.

They tell me that every Sunday there are between 50-60 players, some who visit regularly.

It’s free to play.

There are six tables set up and they are busy all day.

Visitors to the city are pleasantly surprised and new friends are made.

Good news.

You can also buy delicious milkshakes & lassis.

They use only organic fruits, milk and yoghurts, and when in season, English strawberries and Alphonso mangoes, surely the tastiest in the world.

The thalis make a welcome change from roast beef, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and gravy.

Much healthier too.

So when you’re feeling bored, listless or at a loose end, drop by. You won’t regret it.

If you are on holiday the whole area is very interesting and the carromcafe will let you rest for a bit while you catch your breath before you go off to see the next church, park, museum or whatever. London is so exciting, beautiful but tiring.

If you feel inspired enough to want to start your own club somewhere, talk to the people on the stall.

They’re very helpful and as keen to promote carrom as I am.

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The title is a bit of a tongue twister, no?
The Carrom Association is a non profit organisation setup to promote the game of carrom internationally. We organise events, promotions, clubs and find ways for players to meet each other.
If you would like to get involved in helping to promote carrom, in any way, please feel free to contact us.

And it’s good to know there are others out there who are doing the same.
I heard there is a competition in Dortmund, Germany in July this year.
I will try to find out more about it and keep you posted.
And if any one can tell us anything more about it, please contact us.
Thanks.

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Sanjay Murthy

The following video is of White Slam by Sanjay Murthy in the singles finals of TV Asia Cup 2006 in the singles finals of TV Asia Cup 2006. They make it look so easy as if anyone can play. They complete the final in less than two minutes.
It takes me longer than that to set the board up!
Well, as I have said before, anyone can play carrom. That is the beauty of the game.
But to play like these guys takes time, talent, patience and practice.
I wonder how many years they have been playing?
If I manage to pocket my pieces, it’s more a matter of luck than good judgement.
I would be interested to know if there have been any faster finals.
OK everyone this is the question.
Who has won a carrom final in less than two minutes?
When was the fastest final?
When was the longest?
We’d also be grateful for any info on Sanjay Murthy.
White Slam by Sanjay Murthy

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Tonight while looking for items about carom I typed Indian games into Google.
Over 18 million sites came up.
However No. 1 is India games, computer games and suchlike.
No. 4 was street games of India,
There were several other Indian sites on the first page.
However not one had anything carromy.
I was quite surprised.
I’ll let you know if I find anything further on.

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Magnificent Mumbai

There was a Carrom competition a few weeks ago at Shivaji Park Gymkhana Hall, Mumbai 28.
I would appreciate any information regarding the winners. Some photos would be welcome, too.
Can any one help, please?
Were any of my readers there?
Where is Shivaji Park Gymkhana Hall?
Near the sea? I’d love to know.
It’s been 25 years since I was last in Mumbai.
Then it was known as Bombay, but I prefer Mumbai
Friends tell me it has changed not only in name.
I hope it is all for the best.
However the last time I was on a train in India, I was shocked and disappointed that the Chai wallah was selling tea in plastic cups, and not the little clay pots, which were lovely to look at, gave the tea a certain not unpleasant taste and would quickly turn back to clay when thrown out the window.
Apart from which I have a lot of admiration for the potters in India who with a round wooden wheel and a stick to turn it to optimum speed, turn out the pots by the score and make it look so simple.
I also was served a teabag, at Delhi airport last time iI was there. UGH.
Teabags and plastic I can get anywhere in the UK and now unfortunately most of Europe, If I want that kind of stuff. I don’t.
I try to eat out at small family businesses or wait until I get home.
I don’t like going to fast food places where I have to stand in a queue, pay over the odds for air and ice.
Eating with my hands doesn’t bother me. The noise doesn’t bother me.
However I am expected to clean up my table when I am finished. It reminds me of school dinners.
They are not “restaurants.” They are fast food factories.
I’ve heard there are several chains of fast food factories in Mumbai now. Surely they can’t be busy?
I remember the food on roadside stalls, the train station, the beach. I tried them all. I was never seriously ill, and the couple of times I was sick was because I ate too much. It was so delicious that I would have seconds, and thirds.
I’d rather have a lassi than a fizzy drink. An aloo chat instead of a burger. Apart from the taste. Just look at what is happening in the good old USA and UK too.
Overweight kids, fat kids, obese kids. Children with heart and hip problems while they are still in primry school.
So remember, Mum’s the word, and say Bai/Bye to burgerland. Don’t buy burgers

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There were nearly 75 players from 6 states i.e Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttaranchal & Jammu &Kashmir.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there in person. However, I can imagine the atmosphere.
At times, tense, silent, except for the clack of the pieces carroming off the frame of the boards.
Other times, noisy, everyone talking, laughing, arguing.
I wonder if they served food or beverages?
What were the prizes?
Who pays for this?
Do they have sponsors?
Although the Punjabis take playing and winning seriously, I can’t imagine it to be a very solemn affair. They’re too full of life.
There will be photos and all the results on the Punjab State Carrom Association web site for you to check out. Have a look through the site. Some good stuff.

In the meantime here is a picture of the Golden Temple. Isn’t it beautiful?

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Carromata

According to Webster Dictionary a carromata is a light, two-wheeled, boxlike vehicle usually drawn by a single native pony and used to convey passengers within city limits or for traveling. It is common public carriage in the Philippines.
I have searched for photos to show an example but all I found was the following.

It’s a bit old, but it’s such a nice picture.
Have a look at the whole postcard collection.
They are quite beautiful.
I know this is nothing to do with Carrom, the game, but my excuses are they play Carrom in the Philippines and I think it is interesting.
I wonder which word came first? What do you think?

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Have a go at the game linked here. Clever, eh?
I scored 15 with 141 and lost my striker twice.
I don’t know how long it took but it could be quite addictive.
You have been warned.

The guy who designed it is a medical student, who also writes music parodies. Where does he fid the time?
I don’t know how tall he is but he is dark and handsome.

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