Taabla | Silk Embroidery

Taabla (also known as Tablan) is a centuries-old race board game from the Uttara Kannada and Malnad regions of Karnataka — one of the many traditional games that quietly disappeared from Indian households over time. Played by two players, each commanding twelve counters, the objective is to lock as many of your pieces as possible into your opponent's home row before they can do the same to you. The throwing pieces, known as Taabla Kocchu, are four wooden cowries — flicked and caught in the air before being released, lending every throw a satisfying, unhurried ritual all its own.

What makes Taabla compelling is the interplay between momentum and restraint. Certain throws reward you generously and hand you another turn; others pass control straight to your opponent. Captures are possible only in the central rows and on the opponent's home row, so every advance carries risk — once a counter locks into its final square, it is safe forever, but it can never move again. Knowing when to chase a capture and when to march steadily forward is the heart of the game.

This edition of the board game is crafted in Silk Embroidery, a textile tradition renowned for its fine, lustrous threadwork and intricate handwoven detailing. The needlework brings warmth and texture to every surface of the board, making it as pleasing to hold and touch as it is to play on.

The player who locks the most counters into the opponent's home row wins. Each set includes the game board, 24 counters (12 per player), and 4 wooden cowries. A wonderful gift for anyone who loves strategy games, traditional crafts, or both.

Part of Ramsons Kreedaa Kaushalya — traditional Indian board games researched, revived, and handcrafted in Mysore since 1970.

🤲 Because this is a 100% handmade product, every piece is one of a kind. The stitching, thread colour, and pawns may vary slightly from what you see in the images — and that's exactly what makes yours truly unique. No two boards are ever exactly alike; each carries the individual touch of the artisan who made it.