Synonymous with Pune, the Osho chappals remain as popular as ever. A behind-the-scenes look at how these evergreen flip-flops are manufactured
Whoever said footwear was just meant to offer protection to your feet, surely had not seen, much less worn, the Osho chappals. Although the basic design of these ‘chappals’ or flip-flops is simple, bordering on plain, what is not so easy to either explain or understand, is the fame they have garnered. For nearly two decades now (by conservative estimates), the Oshos (as these slippers are popularly known), in their trademark jute and mat-layered soles, their bright velvet straps and their stupendously-cheap pricing, have meant many things to many people. For some, it best symbolizes freedom, while others slip them on ;-) since they make quite a unique style statement. For most, though, Oshos are synonymous with uber-chic urban fashion and their price range (Rs 50-300) only helps lure most young-at-heart Puneites.
But just ‘how’ are these flip-flops made and when was the first pair manufactured? “The very first pair was manufactured over 18 years ago, in 1990. At that time, we had a small family business, inside the Osho Ashram, from where we made the chappals,” reveals Santosh Bhonsle, owner, Laxmi Stores in Lane No. 1, Koregaon Park (KP). “The only people who bought Oshos back then were foreign sanyasis who used to frequent the Ashram. As the years went by, more and more Indian customers started buying from us,” adds Bhonsle.
Bhonsle lets us in on the process of manufacturing these slippers and says that first jute sheets are pasted on rubber, which is then cut into various sizes. “Once we have pasted the jute mats onto the rubber soles, we add another layer of jute netting, to give the chappal more strength. After the pasting is done, we cut the chappals according to various sizes. And later, we add the velvet straps, in various colours,” says Bhonsle, who has a mini-factory in Lohegaon which manufactures these evergreen slippers.
Named Oshos after the Osho Meditation Resort located in the same lane, this is one pair which every Pune student and yuppie possesses. “They are cheap and so cool. Plus, even though they are open-toed, Oshos definitely make a very confident style statement,” says Nisreen Kuwajerwala, an MBA student. Seconding her views, Sanjay, another stall-owner in KP says it’s because Pune has such a huge student population that the Oshos sell so well. “Once Pune became an educational hub, the sale of Oshos soared and since then, there has been no looking back. Our most regular customers are students, foreign tourists and young professionals,” he adds. “Since they are eco-friendly and very easy on the pockets, most customers are more than happy to buy several pairs at one go,” asserts Sanjay.
Lasting footprints
· First manufactured in 1990, by sellers inside the Osho Commune
· Preferred by foreign visitors, Osho chappals later became popular among Indian buyers
· A layer of jute mats are pasted on rubber, which is then cut into various sizes and then, velvet straps in varied colours are added
· Popular among students, yuppies and of course, foreign tourists at the Osho Commune
· Eco-friendly and reasonably-priced
