Revised dhoti specification for Pongal distribution worry Kanniyakumari handloom weavers
Handloom weavers in Kanniyakumari are protesting new government-mandated quality specifications for Pongal dhotis. They argue that the changes favor powerloom production and threaten the livelihoods of traditional artisans.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between traditional craft preservation and industrial modernization in government welfare procurement.
Handloom and pedal loom weavers from in and around Nagercoil region have raised concern over the changes in quality specifications of dhotis set to be distributed by the government for Pongal.
The weavers said that the changes in length, weft density and other specifications would make it difficult for handloom and pedal-loom units in the district to produce them, compared to the powerloom units.
The district has several hundred artisans currently engaged in weaving, with a majority of them registered with different weavers’ societies across the district. These societies receive raw materials supplied by the government for the production of dhotis, which are later distributed to the public under the government’s welfare schemes.
Baskaran, a 76-year old weaver from Vadasery pointed out the difficulties that the change in size and other specifications could cause for handloom weavers in the district.
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