Abstract
Kolhapuri Chappals, the traditional handcrafted leather footwear of Maharashtra, provide a clear way to look at the evolving understanding of heritage, shifting from static material artifacts to the living skills, community practices, and cultural systems that sustain them. This paper explores how expanding definitions of heritage influence debates around authenticity, particularly as industrial imitations increasingly overshadow and challenge the value of traditional knowledge. Within museum and heritage frameworks, the study looks at how Kolhapuri Chappals can lose their context when they are shown only as display objects, and suggests that bringing in stories, material histories, and the voices of artisans can help present their deeper, intangible aspects more clearly. It further argues for a broader approach to conservation that extends beyond preserving the physical object to supporting craft livelihoods, ethical material practices, and long-term cultural continuity. By positioning Kolhapuri Chappals as a form of living heritage, this paper demonstrates how such crafts can enrich inclusive museum interpretation and contribute meaningfully to contemporary heritage discourse.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Living Heritage,Intangible Cultural Practices,Authenticity and Imitation,Craft Sustainability,Museum Interpretation
