Polisum Kallanum
പോലീസും കള്ളനും
Traditional Kerala Paper Game
About
Polisum Kallanum (പോലീസും കള്ളനും) is a traditional Kerala paper game built around secret roles, social deduction, and scoring. Players pick folded paper slips containing character names — King, Minister, Police, or Thief — and keep their role hidden. The central challenge is simple: can the police identify the thief before the round ends?
It is simple enough for children yet entertaining for adults — perfect for family gatherings, classroom breaks, or any occasion where you have a few friends and a handful of paper slips.
How to Play
Prepare the Slips
Write a character name and score on each paper slip. Fold them so the writing is hidden. Prepare one slip per player — always include one Police and one Thief.
Pick Your Role
Mix all folded slips thoroughly. Each player randomly picks one slip and secretly reads their character without showing anyone else.
Police Makes a Guess
The player who picked the Police slip observes the others and announces their guess — naming the player they believe is the Thief.
Reveal & Score
The identified player reveals their slip. If it's the Thief, Police gets 500 pts and Thief gets 0. If wrong, Thief gets 500 pts and Police gets 0. All other characters earn their fixed scores.
Characters
King
രാജാവ്
The highest-scoring character. Receives fixed points regardless of the outcome.
Minister
മന്ത്രി
Second highest rank. Earns their fixed score every round.
Police
പോലീസ്
Earns 500 pts by catching the thief, or 0 pts if the guess is wrong.
Thief
കള്ളൻ
Earns 500 pts if the police fails to identify them, or 0 pts if caught.
Additional characters (e.g. 100–300 pt roles) can be added to match the number of players. Use the scores written on your actual paper slips — these are only examples.
Scoring Rules
| Outcome | Police | Thief |
|---|---|---|
| Police correctly identifies the thief | 500 pts | 0 pts |
| Police fails to catch the thief | 0 pts | 500 pts |
All other characters (King, Minister, etc.) always receive the fixed score written on their slip, regardless of whether the police catches the thief.
Example Round
Four players participate. Police guesses correctly in Case 1 and incorrectly in Case 2.
Case 1 — Police Catches Thief
| Player | Role | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Player A | King | 1,000 |
| Player B | Police ✓ | 500 |
| Player C | Thief | 0 |
| Player D | Minister | 600 |
Case 2 — Police Fails
| Player | Role | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Player A | King | 1,000 |
| Player B | Police ✗ | 0 |
| Player C | Thief ✓ | 500 |
| Player D | Minister | 600 |
Quick Rules
Players
4 or more recommended
Slips
One slip per player — always include Police & Thief
Guessing
Police gets one guess per round
Secrecy
Characters must stay hidden until the guess is made
Winning
Highest total score after agreed rounds wins
Tie
Play an extra round to break ties
Screenshots
