On a recent Monday night at the Dishoom Permit Room in Notting Hill, the ambiance was already electric as the games night was set to begin. Guests enjoyed chai, while the sound of chalk being dusted on wooden boards mingled with the clinking of counters against the surface, punctuating the lively chatter.
At one of the tables, Uneeb Khalid, 39, and his friend Varun Solan, 43, engaged in a deep discussion about artificial intelligence while skillfully flicking small counters on the board. They ultimately reached the final round, finishing in a commendable second place.
The dynamic environment of the room saw players shifting between tables, conversations intertwining, and games quickly restarting. What initially appeared to be a casual gathering revealed itself as a vital community hub in a city where such connections can be hard to find.
The game being played is carrom, a traditional board game that has its roots in South Asia, often likened to “playing pool with your fingers” and drawing comparisons to draughts. Players use a striker to flick small discs into corner pockets, striving to clear their pieces before their opponent does. This game has been passed down through generations within South Asian communities and is experiencing a grassroots revival in the UK.
Driving this resurgence is Abdus Khan, 31, the founder of Karrom, a community centered around the game that has now attracted approximately 12,000 members in the UK.
Interest in events like this one has surged dramatically. For this particular night, 800 individuals sought tickets, but only 44 were able to attend. A recent superleague tournament at Boxpark Wembley witnessed participation from 600 attendees, both players and spectators, marking what Khan hopes will be the inception of a recurring series.
Khan reflects on the community and game’s appeal, tracing it back to his childhood memories of visiting family in Bangladesh. “It was the first time I played carrom, and it remains one of my most enjoyable childhood experiences,” he recalls. His family later brought that very board to the UK, which he still possesses today.
“It’s linked to some of my happiest memories,” he adds. “That board was at the heart of all the joy, laughter, and community spirit.”
While the game’s origins are debated across regions including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and even Yemen, Khan believes its significance transcends geographical boundaries. “It’s a wonderful celebration of bridging communities and cultures, uniting people,” he states.
The sense of connection is palpable during the games night. Uneeb, who learned carrom from his grandmother, expressed his surprise at the game’s revival. “I thought it was slowly fading away,” he admits. “I assumed pool would be more appealing to younger generations, but I’m delighted to see so many young people engaged. It’s a refreshing alternative to our screens.”
Others, like Zara Chechi, 29, discovered the community more recently, having found it on Instagram last fall. “Many of us miss the community feeling of visiting friends’ homes and being around families of various generations,” she explains. To fill that gap, Zara utilized social media to locate events and connect with individuals who share her desire for in-person interactions instead of online ones.
For Ala El-Kurd, 30, who first encountered carrom at a tournament at Boxpark Wembley and attended the games night solo, the game’s accessibility is a major draw. “The only requirement is ‘can you show up and play?’” he notes.
Ala also observes a broader behavioral shift among young people. “Fewer individuals are drinking these days; people are weary of mindlessly scrolling through social media. There’s a craving for friendship,” he shares. “What I’ve been missing is a sense of community, and here, it feels so genuine.”
Looking ahead, Khan aims to reimagine the game, with plans to expand the superleague nationally and internationally, reaching places like San Francisco, Karachi, and Riyadh. He draws parallels to sports such as darts, football, and the Indian Premier League. “There’s no reason a game with such a rich global history can’t be revitalized,” he asserts.
For now, the emphasis remains on gatherings like this one, where individuals from diverse backgrounds and ages come together for friendly competition. As the boards are cleared and biryani and chai are served, conversations among previously unfamiliar faces continue to flourish.
