Marketfed to relaunch Pallanguzhi as household spice box

The Kerala State Co-operative Consumer’s Federation (Marketfed) will launch Pallanguzhi, a traditional board game redesigned as a spice box for everyday use, on Wednesday (January 7).

The product will be unveiled at the CNN Hall of Honour in the presence of V.N. Vasavan, Minister for Cooperation, Ports and Devaswom. Senior officials of the Cooperation department, representatives of cooperative institutions, are expected to attend, according to a press release.

Marketfed managing director Sukesh R. Pillai said the idea was to help traditional practices remain relevant by finding space for them in modern homes. “Pallanguzhi is not just a game we once played; it reflects how families learned together- through touch, numbers, patience, and conversation,” he said.

Traditionally played using shells, seeds or stones on wooden boards with shallow pits, Pallanguzhi has long been part of Kerala’s social life, often bringing together multiple generations during festivals and leisure hours. In its redesigned form, the board has been adapted into a multi-compartment spice box, retaining the familiar layout while serving a practical household purpose.

The initiative reflects the attempt to move Pallanguzhi beyond nostalgia and embed it into daily routines, in line with its focus on value-added products rooted in local tradition.

The product will be available through Marketfed outlets across the State and through its e-commerce platforms, officials said.