Irregular yarn supply slows down handloom weaving industry in Tamil Nadu

A region historically famous for its silk and cotton fabrics like the 'Venpattu', the handloom weaving industry in Salem, Tamil Nadu is currently facing a slowdown due to the irregular and short supply of warp yarn, a primary raw material. Hundreds of handloom weavers are left without work for months because they have not received fresh warp material from respective cooperative societies. Weavers say supply is highly inconsistent. A member of the Salem Silk Weavers Cooperative Society stated that for an entire year, they might only receive about three warps.

Since a weaver's income is tied directly to the warp they process (earning around Rs 10,000 to Rs 13,000 per warp), this severely limits their annual income to a mere Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, which is then split among the family members who work the loom. Weavers face the problem of having to pay rent for their loom sheds even during months when they have no raw material and no income, making livelihoods precarious.