Silversmith crafts Kolhapuri chappal worth Rs 4.25 lakh using 1.5kg silver

Kolhapur: A Kolhapur-based silversmith has created an unusual and luxurious replica of the iconic Kolhapuri chappal — crafted entirely out of 1.5 kg of silver — after being commissioned by a Sangli jeweller for a client for a special Adhik Mas gift, highlighting the intersection of tradition and extravagance amid soaring precious metal prices.Vikrant Mali, the silversmith from Pratibhanagar, said he was taken aback by the request, both because he had never made footwear before and because of the high cost involved. The finished pair, including labour charges, cost around Rs 4.25 lakh. This is significantly higher than prices charged even by luxury global brands, such as Prada’s Kolhapuri-inspired footwear that costs about Rs 84,000.“When the jeweller from Sangli approached me in March, I immediately felt it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have the experience of crafting various items from silver, but had never attempted footwear, that too a complex one like the Kolhapuri chappal. Due to prior assignments, I actually started the work in April. I bought a fine-quality leather Kolhapuri chappal with an intricate design to study the pattern. The silver provided was 95% pure, and I mixed it with cadmium to increase its strength so the chappal could be used normally, like leather footwear, rather than just for show. I studied for weeks how the chappal is made and then started making various parts such as the toe, the veni (braid), small designs, gonda, detha, karangali, sole and a few other parts, and then assembled to make the whole chappal. It took me around nine days to make the final product,” Mali told TOI.The jeweller provided 1.5 kg of silver — currently valued at around Rs 2.7 lakh per kg — and specifications based on the client’s requirements. Mali charged Rs 22,000 as labour cost.“I have made water containers, called ‘pimp’ in Marathi. I have also made headgear similar to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s, called Jiretop, swords, bats and balls etc., out of silver. The jeweller provided the measurements and a sample of Kolhapuri chappal. I never met the client, nor did the jeweller tell me about him. However, I learnt from him that the client wanted to gift the pair to his son-in-law in Adhik Mas,” he said.Adhik Mas, an additional month in the Hindu lunar calendar occurring every 2.5 to 3 years, is traditionally marked by in-laws gifting gold and silver items to sons-in-law, explaining the demand for the unique creation.Mali, who has been working with silver for over two decades, noted that his business has seen some impact following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to avoid gold purchases for a year, though he believes it has also curbed unnecessary hoarding.