Every morning and evening in Madakkara, the sound of football kicks and cycle bells reverberate alongside laughter, as groups of women and girls from the neighbourhood gather in their swantham (own) playground. Located in the heart of Kerala’s Wayanad, amidst the rolling hills and verdant paddy and tea plantations, lies this rare and unique space — Pen Kalikkalam, a playground designed exclusively for women.
Since its inauguration earlier in March 2024, the playground has grown to become a space for the neighbouring girls’ football and cycle polo teams to practise, as well as for women to play football or volleyball, ride bicycles, or simply walk and loiter around.
