Pages Pull Them in, But Dice Rolls Call Louder

🖊️Adrija Das

Century later, board games still hold a special place in heart of many Indians, evoking nostalgia and strategy. Board games have long been cherished pastime in Ancient India, serving as both amusement and subtle life lessons.  In the bustling heart of the international Kolkata book fair, one standout attraction is capturing and engaging the mind of the visitors with the “Naba Golokdham Khela”, offers a quick metaphorical journey through human life’s ups and downs, much like ‘snake and ladder’ where moves represents fate’s twist. A swift voyage down the river of existence, where player paddle forward along sinuous streams which is lifted by the waves of success, pulled back by the sudden waves of hardship, rising from every waves of wisdom. 
NABA Golakdham Khela draws direct inspiration from the classic “Pasha Khela”, famously linked to the Mahabharata’s Shakuni whose dice games shaped epic destines. While the origin of “Golokdham” remains covered in mystery until the 19th century, printer and publisher, Tara Chandra Das and Sons started printing the game for commercialization. The board was a new version of an earlier Checkerboard adorned with arrays of mythological prints. The board contains sixty-four squares, each representing well-known Hindu pilgrimages and landmarks situated in India. The game represents the journey of human life, travelling through various places and ultimately reaching the final square “GOLOKDHAM” representing abode of Lord Krishna. 
This game uses seven cowrie shells which are thrown to determine how players will move their pieces. As the player enter the first square is “Matrivumi” i.e., mother-land when a person takes birth and starts it life journey while facing multiple challenges, also toils to “Karmavumi” and then ends in heaven getting mukti at “Golokdham”. This whole journey shows that every actions have some reaction and life is full of obstacles but one can only succeed if they face it. 
Amid the stalls of thrill and action and love, the dice rolls reaches out the ears of all the fair-visitors. “Naba Golokdham Khela” steals the show at the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair, from elders getting back to their memory lane of the past, to children learning that how life gives rollercoaster ride. Blending old lessons with new joy, uniting all generation for endless play.