Pakida Kali, one of Kerala's most captivating traditional games, comes alive during the Onam season, filling village courtyards and community spaces with excitement. This ancient game, reminiscent of dice play in the Mahabharata, is especially popular in regions like Nattassery, Payyappady, and Manganam, where families and clubs keep the tradition vibrant year after year.

The game is played on a wooden board where 96 squares, or kalams, are drawn in four columns. At its heart are the gleaming brass dice, known as pakida, each weighing over a kilogram, rolled with the help of a tool called choothu, often crafted from a piece of plantain stem. Movements across the board follow distinct rules, blending the elements of dice throwing with the strategic planning of chess. Two teams, usually with two players each, compete face-to-face, while a porukaran (helmsman) guides the moves and intensifies the pace of the contest.

The play begins with the traditional call of "Pakida Panthrandu", as the dice land heavily on the board, sparking hours of spirited rivalry. Beyond its role as a festive pastime, Pakida Kali demands sharp intelligence and quick calculation, making it as much a mental challenge as a social event.

While once confined to mud-smeared village courtyards, today the game has found a place in local sports clubs during Onam, where onlookers gather to cheer players on. With its rhythmic dice throws and festive energy, Pakida Kali continues to embody the communal joy and cultural richness of Kerala's harvest festival.