Some styles never die!

The nondescript and ubiquitous Kolhapuri chappal, worn by majority of people in rural Maharashtra and many in the cities too seems to have become big.  And with the youth too, just as khadi became very fashionable, wearing a kolhapuri chappal suggested that you were an independent thinker and were very rooted to the earth.

These chappals have not originated from Kolhapur as one would tend to believe but they are actually made in the villages of Athani Talukin in the Belgaum district of Karnataka. Today, for its exquisite look and comfort-wear, it is marketed not only across the towns and cities of India but also in markets abroad. The reason they became known as Kolhapuri is that the royal family of Kolhapur patronised them and helped to spread the popularity. Today they are also made in Kolhapur with some families established there. It is more of a family run business and each family produces 35-45 chappals per week.

Today a more modern and colorful version of the Kolhapuri’s are available but the charm of the old remains as charming and genuine as ever. Yes, some styles of the olden times, will never ever go out of style.