Ever played this game?
Anthakshari on a road trip all day long with friends, can't beat that!!
Anthakshari is just one of those so unique things of India that, I feel so glad being Indian,
lest I would have missed a lot in life.
So, if you need to have a blast in your party and want to make all your guests feel like this is the best get-together they ever had, then allow us. We have hosted Anthakshari professionally at many events, Indian Festivals, sometimes even performing auditions prior to the event, owing to overwhelming response.
For the benefit of those who could be new to this game, here is how it is played.
This is a musical game so, knowledge in Indian film music is required.
The game usually has 3-4 rounds and has multiple groups participating.
Each group should have atleast more than 2 people. More groups, the merrier it gets!.
4 basic rounds are part of the standard format in the same order.
1. Basic anthakshari round
2. Word Round
3. Dhun Round
4. Anthra-Mukhda round
One or more of these rounds will be included based on the size of the event and logistics.
5. Karaoke Round
6. Video Round
7. Situational Round
The descriptions of each round are right here.
1. Basic anthakshari round - Starts with the host singing a song and the first group to continue with the last letter
of the song that the host ended with.
Example: Hai apna dil toh aawara, na jaane kis pe aayega
Second team sings with the letter 'ga', Gaata rahe mera dil, tu hi meri manzil...
so on ...
2. Word round - Each team will be given a word and they will have to sing a song that includes that word.
If the teams are stronger the rule will be set to start the song with that word, to make it competetive.
Example: Jahan
Song: Jahan mein jaati hun wahi chale aate ho, chori chori mere dil mein samate ho...OR
Tu jahan jahan chalega, mera saaya saath hoga..
3. Dhun round - Each team will be played a tune, usually this is the prelude of the song.
The teams will have to guess the song and sing the correct song.
This round usually challenges the talent and memory of the participants and generates pride.
Okay, let's see if you can guess this tune. Click Answer if, you don't get it.
Hover your mouse over the test song link and let it stay, you need not click!
Your test song, hover your mouse over this link
4. Anthra-Mukhda Round - This is another round that challenges the participants' knowledge in film music.
The host sings the stanza of a particular song and the team will have to sing the beginning of the song.
This round proves to be eliminating as it requires participants to know the complete lyrics of songs.
There were times when even the most popular songs were not recognized by some of the participants.
This round again is a complete pride builder. You gotta be GOOOOOD!!!
5. Karaoke Round - There were times when I had participants who were all good singers. I introduced this round for elimination.
This is similar to the dhun round, where a prelude is played. The teams have to not only recognize the song, but also need to identify
one/two singer(s) from their group who can perform karaoke for this song.
The song's mukhda will be played and the participants should perform karaoke with it.
6. Video Round - Each team will be shown a video clip of a song with the sound on mute.
Looking at the picturization, the teams will have to guess the song and sing it.
7. Situational round - I introduce this round when the teams are very strong and competetive or if I need to break a tie.
Each team will be given a situation and they will have to sing a song, that describes the situation.
An easy Example: You are both friends and celebrate friendship, sing a song!
Song: Yeh dosti hum nah chodenge, todenge dam magar tera saath na chodenge
to a tough one: You are unhappy with god, as things are not going well for you,
hypothetically of course, sing a song addressing god!
Song: O aasmaan wale, shikwa hai zindagi ka, sun daastaan gham ki, afsana bekhudi ka..
The time given for this would be very less, like 5-10 seconds or so!!