Kolhapuri Chappals
Kolhapur, sitting pretty on the banks of the Panchganga river and surrounded by the Sahyadri mountains, enjoys its place in the annals of history for being the epicenter of several events that have defined Maharashtra’s heritage and history. The Bhonsle dynasty — descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — ruled Kolhapur, promoting theatre, wrestling, and various crafts. Today, Kolhapur is a modern industrial city that’s also home to ancient forts, temples, and royal palaces. The city is known around the world for its spicy chilies, Saaj jewellery, and handcrafted Kolhapuri chappals (footwear). In fact, King Shahu I of Kolhapur and his successor, Rajaram III, encouraged the Kolhapuri chappal industry.
Today, hundreds of families who have ancestrally lived in Kolhapur take pride in being a part of the traditional kaarigari (craftsmanship) and hastkala (artistry) involved in making Kolhapuris. The art came into being nearly 900 years ago. Since then, the trade secrets involved in creating a fantastic handmade pair have been passed down through several generations within families and clusters of craftsmen. For them, this is not just about earning a livelihood; it’s what gives them joy, satisfaction, and pride. It’s a sentiment they have rightfully inherited from Sant Ravidas, a cobbler himself, who cherished his role in society and worshipped his craft that fed his heart and stomach.
Kolhapuris, known for their signature sound, involve hand-labor of several weeks. The process begins by beating leather and preparing it for a final cut. The harder one beats the leather, the smoother it becomes and the finer the work on the footwearch. Pieced together, part by part, Kolhapuris bear testament to the steadiness of the hands that cut, carve, thread, and sew each pair. And yet, no two handcrafted pairs look the same! The footwear has been assigned a GI (geographical indication) tag, underlining its importance in culture and heritage. Each time you wear a Kolhapuri, remember you’re adorning your feet with a piece of heritage.