'Charpai' for Rs. 1 lakh? Yes, you read that right
What's the story
Who thought that a regular Indian household item could trend on social media? Well, Indians certainly have a new thing to boast about (or not).
A screenshot of an American e-commerce site Etsy selling a desi charpai has been shared across the internet.
The generally cheap four-legged piece of furniture is listed for a whopping price of Rs. 1.12 lakh on Etsy.
Charpai
What is a 'charpai'?
For the uninitiated, charpai is a traditional handwoven bed from the Indian subcontinent. It is essentially a four-footed frame, which supports a handwoven net made of rope or belts of fabric.
There are several names for it, but the most popular ones are charpai, charpoy, and charpaya, which literally translates to "four-footed."
It is also known by the names khatiya, khatlo, khatt, and manji.
Dimensions
'Traditional Indian bed with very beautiful decor'
The e-commerce site has listed charpai as a "traditional Indian bed with very beautiful decor."
It is stated in the product description that this is a handcrafted product created in India by a small company using materials like wood and jute ropes.
Informing about its dimensions, the site wrote, "Width: 36 inches, Height: 72 inches, Depth: 18 inches."
Twitter Post
'Charpai' got trending
Traditional #Indian #charpai (Khaat) goes #global with a #Price tag of ₹ 100000/- onlyhttps://t.co/N6SzFawqvu
— Sanjay Pandita (@Sanjay_Pandita) May 11, 2023
Traditional bed
Customers were quick to buy it
Etsy Inc. is a website that specializes in vintage goods and craft materials. Charpais of different colors and sizes are being sold at a similar price.
You are wrong if you thought people wouldn't pay that much for charpai.
A screenshot shows that the e-commerce site has sold it all and only four of the cots are remaining in their stock.
Twitter Post
82 sales made already!
Our 'charpai' is being sold in the US for over one lakh #rupees. Let's celebrate it as a value that this art is getting. Which are the other #Indian middle- class household #items that may join the 'charpai'?#Charpai #Onlineshopping #US #Art #India #Ourcity pic.twitter.com/pRc8YX8LOo
— Our Ahmedabad (@Ourahmedabad1) May 11, 2023
Balenciaga
When Balenciaga sold 'trash bag' inspired pouch for Rs. 1.4L
This is not the first time a product was listed at a price way more than the original.
Back in August 2022, French luxury fashion house Balenciaga introduced a bag that was inspired by a trash sack and cost $1,790 (Rs. 1.4L).
It attracted eyeballs as it was apparently made of "90% calfskin, and 10% lambskin."