In the dusty lanes of Madabhavi, a village nestled in the Athani taluk of Karnataka’s Belagavi district, heritage takes form in leather. For over eight centuries, the Samagar community has stitched culture and craftsmanship into what the world knows today as Kolhapuri slippers — timeless, sturdy, and uniquely Indian.
To outsiders, they may seem like just another pair of open-toed leather sandals. But for the artisans here, they are the very soul of their existence. In a world rapidly overrun by mass production and synthetic styles, Madabhavi’s Kolhapuris stand apart — hand-stitched, hand-dyed, and heart-crafted.
Take a step into Madabhavi, and the smell of tanned leather greets you even before the people do. In almost every household, you’ll find nimble fingers — from young children to elderly women — engrossed in some phase of chappal-making. The work is not just a livelihood; it’s a way of life. As artisan Rekha Bhandare says, “We may not make much, but we never sleep hungry. These slippers are our life.”
In a heart-wrenching yet proud admission, another local woman says, “How beautiful is the life of those who wear these slippers. But we have to walk with difficulty,” a line that captures the paradox of their journey — creators of comfort living in hardship.
Kolhapuri slippers aren’t just made in Kolhapur. The craft thrives in regions like Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Vijayapura, and in Maharashtra’s Sangli, Satara, and Solapur. Yet, Athani and Nippani taluks of Karnataka have emerged as the true hubs of production, home to over 1,500 artisans.
Interestingly, the people of Madabhavi never went through formal training. “We’ve learned this with our eyes, hands, and hearts — from childhood,” says artisan Maruti Bhandare. His unit, which employs six people, produces 800 pairs per month. “We get Rs 350 per day for men and Rs 200 for women. But competition, lack of branding, and transport costs are eroding our margins.”
Even though Kolhapuri slippers received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019, many local artisans remain unaware of the recognition — and its potential.
Over the years, the Kolhapuris have evolved to suit the changing tastes of modern India. From being worn with dhotis and saris, they’re now paired with jeans and Indo-western attire. They are a common sight at weddings, festivals, and even urban workplaces. The once-plain brown leather sandals now come adorned with golden lace, vibrant tassels, and trendy colours — black, tan, maroon, and more.
Artisans like Shivaraj Saudagar, secretary of the Athani Leather Cluster, explain the intricate process: “The leather is sourced from Chennai, Mugalakhoda, and other hubs. It is treated with plant-based materials, sun-dried, cut, and then shaped to size. Every pair is hand-stitched, decorated, and made to last.”
Despite their historic significance and rising popularity, these artisans face a critical hurdle: lack of a local marketplace. “We make the slippers here in Karnataka. But to sell them, we have to travel 90 kilometres to Kolhapur. There’s no organised system here,” laments Kedari Bhandare, a veteran slipper maker.
Maharashtra traders buy the slippers at low rates and sell them at higher margins, reaping the profits. “We do the hard work, they take the reward,” say many artisans with frustration.
Additionally, cheap imitations made with synthetic leather and even Chinese models are threatening the livelihood of these communities. “It’s hard to compete. They sell for less, but the quality is nothing like ours,” says Mahadev Kamble, another artisan from the region.
Amid all these challenges, there is a growing chorus for branding and state-level intervention. Local producers are urging the Karnataka government to introduce a pricing committee, offer procurement support, and promote the slippers under a regional identity.
Responding to this need, LIDKAR (Leather Industries Development Corporation of Karnataka) has proposed marketing the slippers made in Athani, Nippani, and Madabhavi under the ‘Athani’ brand name. “We plan to sell them at all Lidkar outlets, on e-commerce platforms, and even at airports,” said Managing Director Vasundhara K.M.
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