 |  | Husband-wife duo, Rex and Lennie D'Souza, are great at communicating with each other. But there are times when they get stuck for words. "That's when we play Scrabble," jokes Rex D'Souza. Making a chain of words, tile by tile, is something the two simply love to do.
Then, in 1998, they decided to get the city's Scrabble lovers together and started the Bangalore Scrabble Club. Bangalore is today on the global map with some of the best players on the international Scrabble scene coming from this city. Not just that, the city has also been hosting national and international scrabble tournaments since 1998. "Today, Bangalore hosts international tournaments once a year," says Radhika Mahalingaiah, one of the oldest members of the Bangalore Scrabble Club (BSC). "Goa, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad also host national tournaments every year."
A tournament, organised by the D'Souzas in the city's St Joseph's School in 1998, marked the beginnings of the game getting out of people's living rooms and onto the public platform. "Nine-year-olds to 73-year-olds participated in the event. Even an IAS officer from Chennai came here just for the tournament," Lennie recalls. With the primary aim of popularising the game, the entry fee was kept at a very affordable Rs15 for adults and Rs10 for children. "The overwhelming response prompted us to start a full-fledged scrabble club," says Lennie.
Since then, the club has only moved from strength to strength. What's more, over the years, the bond between the club members has grown. "We have become great friends because of our common interest in the game," says Mahalingaiah. Though you're likely to see grey-haired retired Bangaloreans form a huge chunk of the club, there are a few youngsters who are regulars at the club's Saturday scrabble meets as well. Every Saturday, members of the Bangalore Scrabble Club, gather at the Karnataka Badminton Association to play scrabble. "At least 16 members of the club turn up for the meet every week," says Mahalingaiah. Though the game can be played with four, members of the BSC prefer playing in pairs.
"When we are playing the game, mind you, we are not friends," jokes Sanjoy Gupta, a member since seven years. "Yes, Sanjoy and I are not talking anymore," retorts Chris with a half-smile. The club has brought together people from various walks of life — all with one passion — Scrabble. While Rex was with the merchant navy, his wife Lennie was into writing and interiors. Aubrey Millet, Sanjoy Gupta, Manju Sood — all from different backgrounds — are a few others who were brought together by their common love for the board game.
"Scrabble fills in the void that was created after I left swimming. I joined the club 2-3 years ago and have been a regular ever since," says Millet, famous swimmer Nisha Millet's father. Being a member is not just about being present every Saturday to play. Some of the members do some serious homework before embarking on the game. "For instance, I have a list of words stuck behind the sun shade of my car. I look at it every time the car stops at the red light. I can proudly say that I'm one of those few Bangaloreans who look forward to a red traffic light," says Millet, adding that his wife calls herself a scrabble widow as she has lost her husband's love and attention to the game.
For Manju Sood, an interior designer, "Scrabble plays the role of a good de-stresser". Even for Gupta, an advertising and marketing professional, Scrabble plays a crucial role in life. Gupta ranks among the top ten of the world's Scrabble players. "I stood 8th in the iGate International Scrabble Tournament held in 2010 and won Rs5,000 as prize money," says Gupta, with a hint of pride.
For true Scrabble lovers, it is an obsession, much more than mere love. Finding a word from the scramble of letters is an adrenaline high, a thrill to these players. But the game has its merits too, says Lennie. "It's like any other hobby that gives one pleasure, happiness and works like a good pastime. Moreover, since the game has a lot to do with memory and mind work, it also prevents Alzheimer's." "Scrabble doesn't require any special equipment, place or exercise to be played either," adds Rex.
The love for Scrabble brought them together. But members like Rex and Chris also play Bridge when they get together. "Even when we go out to Goa, Bangkok and Sri Lanka for tournaments, we make a holiday out of the trip," says Lennie. The sun, sand and Scrabble are all they need.
To join the Bangalore Scrabble Club, call Radhika Mahalingaiah on 98865-22120. Lifetime registration fee is Rs100 and monthly fee is Rs50.
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