New Delhi, June 20 -- A traditional Spanish game called Billarda has unexpectedly gone viral in India, not because it is new, but because it looks strikingly familiar. For many Indians, Billarda resembles gilli danda, a centuries-old street game that was once played across villages, towns, and cities before gradually fading from everyday life.

The renewed interest comes as social media users discover that Spain has gone far beyond preserving the game as a cultural memory. In the northwestern region of Galicia, Billarda has its own organised competition, the Liga Galega de Billarda, complete with teams, tournaments, rankings, and governing bodies.

The contrast has sparked discussion on social media. In India, the game survives largely th...