Charpoy Price in Aussie Ad Shocks Indians

The traditional Indian bed, the charpoy, which is now spotted in villages or at highway dhabas in India, is now trending on social media after a flyer was distributed by an Australian citizen in Sydney.

The hand-woven natural fiber bed is being made by Daniel Bloore, who is selling them at a price that has taken many netizens aback. At $990 a piece, the charpoy is getting discussed in the Down Under, away from the place where the desi khatiya originated at.

The flyer reads: “Traditional Indian Daybed: Charpoy, made from beautiful Maple timber with strong Mortise and Tenon joints, strong Manila rope hand-woven bedding, Standard size but size can be made to order, Extremely comfortable, 100% Australian made to an ancient Indian design (thousands of years old), Delivery Sydney metropolitan area.”

Bloore justified the price to the website SBS, saying, “It’s a lot of work to make these beds.” He added: “The timber and the rope cost almost half of the price and then it takes many hours to make the frame.” According to him, it takes one week to make a piece.

Bloore’s first encounter with the charpoy took place when he was visiting India in search of a music teacher. “I found it very comfortable. I use a four inch foam mattress on it and I absolutely love it,” he told the website.

The 44-year old Indophile decided to make one for himself in Sydney, which he has been using for a year and a half. He later made one for a friend as well, and then decided to make charpoys for sale.

While the business isn’t booming, Bloore says he gets a lot of calls from curious people. “I dropped a flyer at an Indian grocery shop some six months ago and since then, the response has been overwhelming,” he told SBS Punjabi.

The flyer he had posted at the grocery store is trending on social media, with many Indians expressing their disbelief at the “humble khatiya’s” transformation.

Chai Tea was bad, you thought? Ha! Here comes the Charpoy Cot. (That price makes my head reel). I need to go lie down on my own charpoy cot. pic.twitter.com/Yw2V5ju96R

— charukesi (@charukesi) October 4, 2017

If this is real #Indians can mint money in #Australia selling our old stuff – #Charpoy #CaneFurniture #Mora #ClothesHorses #ClayUtensils … pic.twitter.com/fnRaFuhdcI

— mainakde (@mainakde) October 5, 2017

ROCL! Rolling On Charpoy Laughing 😁😁😁 $990! pic.twitter.com/8PEWbDdBBR

— Яøÿ (@MixedRaita) October 4, 2017

Charpai for $990. We were literally sitting on a gold mine all these years. https://t.co/5uUyL5fadj

— Waqas Ahmed (@waqas_x) October 5, 2017