Tamil Nadu - Others   

They are no longer able to weave a good fortune

L. Renganathan

Technology, poor returns push handloom weavers close to extinction No new hands come forward to undergo training in Karur district

KARUR: The tribe of handloom weavers in Karur district is dwindling fast as technological advancement coupled with poor returns for an exacting day's labour is taking a toll on the weavers and their families.

There are an estimated 5,000 looms in the region feeding about 1,500 families, all traditional weaving groups.

Insiders say that a rapid greying of the weaving community is taking place as most of the weavers are over 40 years of age and no new hands are coming forward to undergo training.

Even the wards of weavers prefer other professions to handloom weaving. The dwindling fortune of the handloom weavers is best reflected in the fact that most of the looms in operation in the region are more than two decades old.

A weaver can produce around 10 metres of fabric a day for which he earns anything between Rs. 70 and Rs. 80.

Those who own multiple looms and have handful of orders may earn up to Rs. 150. That includes money for management, winding and processing yarn at the loom shed.

Women who do cone winding or assist the weavers earn a paltry Rs. 1.35 per `kali' weighing 300 grams. The best among them may wind up to 20 `kalis' a day.

Unaltered wage

The wage has remained unaltered for the past several years and a wage agreement entered into in 2001 is yet to be implemented.

Poor wage and returns are forcing people to shun handloom weaving.

The industry is also hamstrung by the technological advancement, lure of better fortune in other fields of textile industry, easier work schedule and above deceit in many quarters who pass the powerloom product as handloom stuff for increased marketability and cornering financial benefits, weavers say.

The allegations are a bit muted as some export houses have been placing orders providing livelihood to hundreds of handloom weavers.

Insiders concede that it is common practice here to place sample order with handloom exporters and utilise the powerlooms for executing the actual order.

Governmental assistance has helped the handloom weavers but a lot more remains to be done.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

They are no longer able to weave a good fortune
Cold storage facility to come up near Odaipatti
Scheme for development of villages
Italy wants `inspirational partnership'
Applications invited to run ambulance service
Rs. 3 crore allotted to panchayat
Celebrations to honour Guru Gobind Singh
Exporters seek tax relief
Seminar

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu