FDDI Hyderabad unveils ‘Tales Below the Heels’ showcasing India’s footwear heritage

Hyderabad: The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Hyderabad on Friday launched “Tales Below the Heels – India Design Language: Footwear Series.” This exhibition honors India’s rich footwear heritage and its integration with modern design.

Governor praises blend of tradition and innovation

Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma inaugurated the exhibition. He described it as a significant link between traditional Indian craftsmanship and contemporary design thinking. He encouraged young designers to tap into indigenous knowledge systems for global innovation.

Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, attended as guest of honour. He praised FDDI and the Pleach India Foundation for bridging the gap between cultural heritage, design education, and the footwear industry.

Artisan Showcase highlights India’s regional styles

A standout feature of the event was the Artisan Showcase. Seven master craftsmen displayed regional footwear forms including Mojari, Jutti, Pulla, Chamba footwear, Kolhapuri chappal, Gujarat’s Bharwadi Desi Joda, and Rajasthan’s traditional Pabu shoes.

The exhibition also included the release of a curated booklet and a book of abstracts. These offered research insights and creative interpretations from the project.

The public exhibition will remain open at the FDDI campus until November 30. It welcomes students, artisans, families, and design enthusiasts to engage with India’s evolving footwear design language.