Tales Below the Heels, a three-day National Seminar and Exhibition dedicated to exploring and celebrating the rich footwear heritage of India, held between 28th–30th November, 2025, at the Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) Campus, Hyderabad. Bringing together scholars, artisans, designers, students and cultural practitioners, the event engaged with the historical, cultural and contemporary narratives of Indian footwear traditions.
‘Tales Below the Heels’ began with a visionary partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pleach India Foundation and FDDI, Hyderabad.
This collaboration aligns with the India Design Language (IDL) – Footwear Initiative, aiming to preserve, document and globalise India's diverse footwear heritage. By bridging research, education and heritage preservation, the partnership reinforces a collective commitment to safeguarding the country’s cultural legacy while inspiring future generations of designers.
28th November, 2025, marked the official commencement of a three-day national dialogue celebrating India’s diverse footwear heritage.
The event was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Governor of Telangana. He praised the exhibition as “well thought-out and beautifully presented,” emphasizing heritage documentation.
Governor Varma observed that while scholarship often focuses on posture and ornamentation, it seldom notices “what lies below the heels.” He suggested the exhibition become a travel exhibition to preserve India’s overlooked heritage.
Speech by Dignitaries
Shri Jishnu Dev Varma
Hon'ble Governor of Telangana
Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS
Spl. Chief Secretary, Govt of Telangana
Dr. Tejaswini Yarlagadda
Chairperson, Pleach India Foundation
Dr. Narasimhugari Tej Lohit Reddy, IAS
Executive Director, FDDI
Shri Raghavendra Rao Kulkarni
Professor, College of Fine Arts, CKP
Dr. Nikhil Das
Superintending Archaeologist, ASI
Keynote Address
Renowned expert Dr. H. R. Kulkarni delivered the keynote speech, "Journey of Footwear in Indian Art: With Reference to Sculpture and Painting," which examined the evolution and symbolism of footwear in Indian art, highlighting its social, ritual and cultural significance through examples from sculpture and painting.
Session Overview
The three-day seminar sessions featured scholarly paper presentations by researchers and practitioners and interactive sessions that explored Indian footwear through multiple lenses, including history, literature, design, craftsmanship, sustainability, regional and community practices and innovation.
Panel Discussions
Speakers such as Shriyans Bhandari linked heritage to innovation during the panel discussions, fostering meaningful dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design thinking.
Cultural Event
A curated showcase of heritage traditions translated into contemporary performance and student couture.
Songs of
Paduka
The cultural segment opened with “Song of Paduka,” a performative presentation that translated spiritual and heritage meanings of footwear into sound and movement.
The performance evoked themes of Paduka devotion and collective memory, offering an artistic interpretation of the seminar’s intellectual core.
Fashion
Walk
A fashion walk curated and presented by students of Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), Hyderabad, showcased contemporary interpretations inspired by traditional Indian footwear.
The walk demonstrated how heritage crafts can inform modern design sensibilities while retaining their cultural essence.
Craft Bazaar
Alongside the event, master artisans from seven distinct regions of India presented their regional footwear traditions, demonstrating materials, tools and techniques rooted in local knowledge systems. Giving a first-hand insight into making processes, contemporary challenges and the distinct regional identities embodied within each craft tradition.
Kolhapuri
Chappal
Handcrafted leather footwear known for its durability and intricate braided patterns, representing the heritage of Maharashtra.
Himachal
Pulla
Traditional hemp-fiber footwear, showcasing the sustainable material traditions of the Himalayan regions.
Rajasthani
Mojaris
Artisanal handcrafted leather footwear from Rajasthan, celebrated for its vibrant textures and pointed-toe silhouette.
Jodhpuri
Juttis
Refined, embroidered footwear often featuring gold and silver threadwork, an essential symbol of Jodhpuri celebration and grace.
Gujarat
Bharwadi
Distinctive footwear of the Bharwad community, merging utilitarian strength with vibrant pastoral aesthetics.
Chamba
Chappal
Ornate leather footwear from the Chamba valley, featuring delicate embroidery and distinctive cultural motifs.
Ladakhi
Pabu
Traditional high-altitude footwear made with felt and wool, designed for the extreme climates of the Ladakh plateau.
Virtual Tour
of the Exhibition
The exhibition ran alongside the seminar, showcasing footwear traditions through prints, recreated padukas, Surya’s boots and the boots of Emperor Kaniska.
Missed the exhibition?
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Entering Virtual Space...
Spacefelt Experience
Sensory Beyond Sight
Spacefelt technology utilizes specialized QR codes and tactile markers to allow visitors to explore the exhibition through audio. This inclusive approach ensures that every story within "Tales Below the Heels" is accessible, regardless of visual capability.
News &
Media
A curated archive of media coverage and event highlights reflecting the institutional impact of the exhibition.