Ganjifa Gaming Cards - Unique Artistry & Tradition

Persian and Hindu influences in the game of cards

From ivory and tortoiseshell cards to ones made of the more common starched cloth, papier mâché, or palm leaf, the hand-painted Ganjifa playing cards from Persia became popular in the sub-continent during the reign of emperor Akbar.

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The Making

Though Persian in origin, local artisans gradually incorporated Hindu mythological iconography on the hand-painted playing cards. These include the Ramayana Ganjifa of Odisha, Chad Ganjifa of Karnataka, and Dashabatar cards of West Bengal. It is the artisans from Sawantwadi in Maharashtra, who are best known for crafting these exquisite cards. They use a blend of tamarind seed powder, gum and oil to coat paper cards. These skilled artisans meticulously paint the dashavatar, depicting the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

The Legacy

Ganjifa cards reached Sawantwadi 350 years ago, with Khem Sawant Bhonsle III of the Princely State of Sawantwadi. He learned about the game from scholars in Telangana, and encouraged the artists accompanying him to learn the styles. Eventually, the Chitari community in Sawantwadi, adopted the craft. They were already known for their lac and wood work. Each box of Ganjifa Cards contains 120 hand-painted cards—10 suits of 12 cards each. These boxes are beautifully painted and embellished too.

Memory Vault

While few families today continue to be engaged in the craft, these cards have become more of collectible and décor items. During his time in India, Rudolph Von Leyden, an Austrian scholar, assembled a vast collection of Ganjifa cards from across the country. Today, this remarkable collection finds a home in the Vienna Museum.

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The Collection

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