‘Kolhapuri Chappal’ is an ethnic product made completely and exclusively from bag tanned leather. All parts of the chappal namely sole, uppers, and heel are made from bag tanned vegetable tanned leather using babulbark and myrobalan fruits. Kolhapuri Chappal is manufactured in Dharwad, Belgaum, Bagalkot and Bijapur Districts of Karnataka and in Sholapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Satara districts of Maharashtra. The degree of tannage of bag tanned leather in Kolhapuri Chappal is around 45% and the decorative woven pattern fixed over upper bands are from head skin or goat skin tanned by bag tanners in the same bag tanning pit. The stitching of outer sole, insole and upper and heel with leather thread taken from bag tanned leather for most of the Kolhapuri Chappals is made in almost all places, except Nippani, where pasting is presently followed.
Kolhapuri Chappal is a household production with centuries old traditional practices and is fully handmade. The processing and production of Kolhapuri Chappal is eco-friendly and is suitable for rugged use for farmers but also serves as fashion footwear with soft and spring action in wear for urbanites and elite. This product has a shape memory even when soaked in water and is resistant to abrasion and water absorption which makes it sturdy and durable.
Dyes
These handmade leather footwear are tanned by using vegetable dyes. The traditional designs of the Kolhapuri footwear are very famous not only in the rural areas of Maharashtra but also getting increasingly known across the globe.
PROCESS
There are no hard or sharp materials used in the manufacturing of these chappals. The stitching and punching are made by hand. Apart from the external beauty, it gives the Kolhapuris, they do not cause any injury to the feet and adorn your feet with modern finesse and a regal look. The making of the Kolhapuri is quite simple where two parallel pieces of leather are joined and stitched with thin strings of leather or thongs so that it gives us great comfort and is long-lasting.
Material Used
The authentic Kolhapuri are usually handcrafted and made with pure leather. The original Kolhapuri is made from 100% cow or buffalo leather. It is mainly available in three colors: natural, oil and polish.
Design
Kolhapuri Chappals are exquisitely designed and embellished. The latest available models in the market are very intricately crafted with a gold cord, zari strips, pom poms or gonda, etc. Changes are made in this footwear based on the culture which sometimes include colorful folk style. Kolhapuris are also available in the branded Khaadis with bright colors ranging from violet to electric green, silver, and golden colors.
Some Fun Facts about Kolhapuri Chappal
- Hollywood star Madonna do own a Pair of kolhapuri footwear and they say she simply love it
- The KolhapuriChappals were first worn in the 13th century
- The royal family of Maharashtra ‘Saudagars’ were the first ones to find the uniqueness of the Kohlapuri chappals as well as lent their creativity to what is today known as the Kolhapuri chappal
