Yaar: Revolutionizing Footwear with Deccani Wool Shoes for Farmers and Urban Markets
A remarkable brand known as ‘Yaar’ is now offering a range of footwear designed for urban markets and farmers alike. These high-quality shoes, made from the resilient wool of Deccani sheep, are priced at ₹2,500 for dyed variants and ₹900 for undyed models. This initiative was undertaken by three talented alumni from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, who recognized the need to address the challenges faced by farmers.
With a long-standing tradition of crafting all-weather shawls called gongadi from the sturdy wool of Deccani sheep, the pastoral communities of Kuruma and Kuruba inspired the transformation of this fabric into footwear. Santosh Kocherlakota, an aspiring transportation designer, shared his motivation behind this project, highlighting the dangers of barefoot living faced by farmers, including cracked feet, fungal infections, and snake bites.
Joined by Nakul Lathkar, experienced in electric car design, and Vidyadher Bhandare, a seasoned designer for Indian Railways, the team dedicated themselves to understanding farmers’ needs. Through their perseverance, they successfully repurposed the Deccani wool into waterproof shoes. A significant milestone came when they poured water on one of the prototypes, covered with the gongadi, to demonstrate its remarkable water resistance.
The first batch of 30 shoes sold out rapidly in Kolhapur village, proving the demand for their innovative creation. Encouraged by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, who provided ₹10 lakh as incubation funding, the team diligently refined their designs. After testing 40 prototypes, including alternatives like jute, banana fiber, cotton, screwpine fiber, and water hyacinth fiber, they ultimately identified Deccani wool as the ideal material.
Overcoming challenges, such as finding suitable adhesives for the rough fabric, the team developed a unique solution by molding the upper directly to the polyurethane sole. To make these shoes accessible to farmers, the ‘Yaar’ brand introduced cross-subsidized pricing. Colored models are available at ₹2,500 for urban areas, while farmers can acquire the undyed black version for a mere ₹900.
Currently, the trio is manufacturing a batch of 10,000 shoes in Agra, with 2,500 units already on the market. The initiative has gained recognition, with the Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) purchasing a significant number of shoes from the initial batch to distribute among tobacco farmers in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The joy of witnessing their designs positively impact people’s lives is immeasurable for the team.
Discover the comfort, durability, and waterproof features of these remarkable ‘Yaar’ shoes, crafted with natural Deccani wool. Say goodbye to cracked feet and embrace footwear that requires no socks. Join the movement of sustainable and innovative solutions by supporting this inspiring project, empowering farmers and revolutionizing the world of footwear.
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/telanganas-woollen-gongadi-shawls-refashioned-into-shoes-for-farmers/article66901130.ece
