Native Tamil game Pallankuzhi may be losing to the modernities of life The game broadly comes under 'mancala', a generic name for a family of two-player, turn-based, strategy board games. Share Via Email | A+A A- The boards to play the game come in different sizes, metals, and shapes, and have seven pits on two columns, opposite to each other. (Photo| Special Arrangement) Express News Service CHENNAI: Before the advent of mobile phones, it was the traditional 'come-sit-on-the-veranda-and-play' style games that kept generations entertained. They helped them strategise and socialise at once. One such game, which is now being erased out of popular culture is pallankuzhi.