• Mojari - Ethnic Footwear of India

• by: Meenakshi  |  last updated: June 18, 2008

• Category: Fashion & Trends |  Tags: Mojari, indian footwear, Jutti, Punjabi jutti, Mojari - Ethnic Footwear of India

• The Mojari is a traditional Indian shoe especially of Punjabi origin. Elsewhere, similar Indian shoes are called Khussa or Jutti. They are usually made of fine leather and are delicately embroidered with threads or beads. Mojaries are slip-on in style and are characterized by rising high to the Achilles' tendon in the back and covering the toes with an extended curled toe whereas Jutties cover the toes with round or M-shaped heavily-embroidered upper shoe and leaving the top of the foot nearly bare. Some of them are hand-made and have been embroidered beautifully. These ethnic shoes were worn by Maharajas and Maharanis of Ancient India, various designs showcased in this category are inspired from the Mughal period. All these are handmade by skilled artisans in remote corners of India.

• History

• India has a very long tradition of leather crafts ranging from handbags, leather stools to Mojaris, Kolhapuris and Jootis centered at Rajasthan, Karnataka & Punjab. The production of these heavily embroidered juttis date back to the period of Kings and queens. In those times, these juttis were embroidered with real gold and silver threads and decorated with precious gems and pearls. But, with the passage of time, these were replaced by artificial materials, beads, bells etc, in order to make them affordable for everyone. These juttis & mojaries are made of buffalo, cow or camel leather soles, while the upper part comprises of leather or simply textile. Both the parts are joined together by a paste and then stitched by white cotton threads.
  
  Mojari is referred to a man's closed shoe with an extended curled toe, while as juttis have flat fronts. In juttis, rear is normally covered but mojaris have an open look from behind. Produced mainly in Jaipur and Jodhpur, cities of Rajasthan, these juttis are sure to enchant you and provide that royal touch to your attire.
  
  These shoes were flat soled and there were no left-right distinction.
  
  We have sought to address the issues through a package of technical inputs, involving custom designed and sturdy synthetic lasts, newly developed patterns, introduction of left -right differentiation, and training and exposure to newer designs, stitching methods and sole adhesion processes.
  
  It is gratifying to note that standardization with left and right distinction has been introduced. Design inputs provided by our designers have added value and element of exclusiveness and differentiation to the product. The ordinary Mojari is either pointed in shape, or rounded. The different forms are known as gol-panja (Round Toe), chota-panja (Small Toe), salem shahi (Pointed Toe). Slip-on jooties, sandals and slippers are a few modernized versions of Mojaris. With passage of time and dictated by technological improvement and market demand, non-leather is also, now, being used for its production. The Mojaris, these days are found and done on order basis also to fulfill the demand of fashion houses and individuals. The responsiveness of artisans to technological change has indeed been heartening. Appropriate packaging materials were developed so as to improve the marketability of the product in domestic and international markets.
  

• Mojari

• “MOJARIâ€� is a generic name of handcrafted ethnic footwear produced in India. These are made by artisans mostly using vegetable tanned leather. The uppers are made of one piece of leather or textile embroidered and embellished with brass nails, cowries’ shells, mirrors, bells and ceramic beads. Even the bonding from the upper to the sole is done by cotton thread that is not only eco-friendly but enmeshes the leather fibers with great strength. Some product range also uses bright and ornate threads.
  
  In ancient times these were worn by multitude and royalty. As it evolved through the centuries and is being produced by individual artisans, products are varied in designs and colors. It encapsules cultural diversity, local ethos and ethnicity.
  
  While many crafts have withered away, these products have positioned and created a special & niche in the market on account of its attributes. This has happened due to the initiative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and direct intervention of Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), India, which is one of the premier footwear institutions in the world. FDDI organizes training for artisans’ skill upgradation, provides design inputs and assists artisans in contemporarising the products by blending ethnicity with changing fashion trends. The contemporary products have strongly positioned in the global fashion market. Diversity of implicit design concepts and creativity of large number of artisans has found expression in wide range of products suited to diverse groups. Products are undoubtedly the finest modernization without specimen of mechanization.
  
  The ethnicity of the traditional skills accentuate into poetry when intermingles with the contemporary colours and designs. Applique in form of differently designed figures are cut out of leather and sewn on the vamp manually. The design would dictate the nature, colour and shape of the appliqué. It could range from an intricate appliqué which itself could incorporate other design features like embroidery, punches, weaves, etc., to a simple cut out shape from any material like leather, textile, synthetic, etc.
  

• Guide Comment History

• SANDEEP KUMAR said 2 months ago:
  hi i want join

• ankita said 7 days ago:
  well the collection is over all good.but somewhat u all need to improve the stuffs and the collection too.good keep it up.as per no as such issues good stuf.

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