Hand-painted Persian Ganjifa playing cards gained popularity in India during Mughal ruler Akbar’s time. These cards were made out of different materials depending on the audience. For the royal court, the cards were made from ivory and tortoiseshell. Cards for the general public used starched cloth, papier mâché, or palm leaf. Occasionally, lacquering was also used.

Local artisans incorporated Hindu mythological iconography. Some varities include the Ramayana Ganjifa of Odisha, Chad Ganjifa of Karnataka, and Dashabatar cards of West Bengal. Artisans from Sawantwadi in Maharashtra, in particular, excel at crafting these exquisite cards.

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. Then, he encouraged the artists accompanying him to learn the styles. Eventually, the Chitari community in Sawantwadi, adopted the craft. They were known for their lac and wood work.

Presently, their descendants use a blend of tamarind seed powder, gum and oil to coat paper cards. These skilled artisans meticulously paint the dashavatar, depicting the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Each box contains 120 hand-painted cards—10 suits of 12 cards each. These boxes are painted beautifully.

While few families today continue to be engaged in the craft, these cards have become 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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