The tiles shuffle and clack, and the world slows down for a moment. Players lean in, sharing silence, rivalry, and camaraderie in a game that feels timeless. This is Mahjong, a game of strategy and ritual, played between four people and a set of 144 intricately marked tiles.
An old-world tradition in China, the game started as a pastime for Chinese grandparents in the mid-19th century, but its regional variations now serve as a great inspiration for Hong Kong’s cocktail menus or foster community pastime in the US. In San Francisco, mahjong nights draw young crowds to bars and restaurants. In fact, there’s been a 179% rise in mahjong events in the US from 2023 to 2024, as per popular ticketing app Eventbrite.
Mahjong is now having an unexpected renaissance in India too. From private residences to rooftop cafés, from brunch tables to birthday parties, the centuries-old game has quietly become a fashionable pastime. In a way, it is also reimagining tradition for a new generation eager to connect, compete, and celebrate life’s finer details.
Strategy, social connection, and a cure for screen fatigue
“Mahjong is no longer just about winning tiles, it’s about weaving together intellect, ritual, and style,” says Mumbai-based instructor Sangeeta Kewalramani, who has been playing for more than 15 years and teaching for five. “The game has been around for centuries, but in India today, it has totally exploded,” she adds.
For Kewalramani, the appeal lies in the blend of focus and connection. “It’s strategic like chess, and social like cards. You sit around a table, play and chat. In a world that’s constantly speeding up with endless notifications, Mahjong asks you to slow down, focus, and connect,” says Kewalramani, who has already taught more than 500 students, from grandparents to professionals and teenagers, and says her tournaments and supervised play sessions often turn strangers into friends.
Today, more than 400 Mahjong circles are said to be active in Mumbai, with similar hubs emerging in Bengaluru and Delhi. Alongside the growing player base, there is demand for curated sets, luxe accessories, and Instagram-worthy tablescapes.
For many, the game represents reclaiming a slower, more intentional way of spending time together. Khushboo Ramnane, a 40-year-old creative freelancer in Bengaluru, picked it up recently. “My friends had their mothers’ sets, and they were playing as empty nesters. I still have a busy work life and a preteen at home, but I was curious,” she says.
What keeps her hooked is the social side. “When I’m struggling with screen addiction and can’t go 2½ minutes without picking up my phone, Mahjong keeps me off it for 2½ hours. It’s perfect.” Bengaluru-based home chef Vandana Reddy finds it equally rewarding. She says, “One doesn’t realise how time flies. It’s nail-biting, thrilling and exciting. The more you win, the more rewarding it feels.” In Mumbai, private instructor Sharon Dhondy has seen her community grow the same way. “My group was always looking for players, so I decided to teach friends and rope them in. Everyone was having so much fun; our numbers just kept on increasing,” she adds.
From pastime to premium: Luxury brands and cognitive benefits
The surge hasn’t gone unnoticed by brands. In September, fine jewellery house Zen Diamond hosted a Mahjong night in Mumbai, positioning the game as a celebration of women who bring style, grace, and intellect to the table. The brand is launching a limited-edition Mahjong set—tiles designed like jewels with gold-glitter and silver-diamond accents, flower tiles inlaid with real diamonds, and a designer case with luxury finishes. “Jewellery has always been about storytelling. So is Mahjong,” says Ankita Sonawala, brand head at Zen Diamond India.
Beyond its cultural prestige, the game has proven health benefits too. Studies link regular play to sharper memory, improved concentration, and reduced stress. “Mahjong enhances memory, sharpens focus, and feels almost meditative. It’s exercise for the brain, but wrapped in beauty and camaraderie,” says Kewalramani.
