Tamil Nadu election 2026: Tiruttani constituency residents seek more support to improve their livelihood

Hundreds of power looms rattle and hum throughout the day to make cotton lungis and sarees in this Assembly constituency that is home to the hill shrine of Sri Subramaniaswami in Tiruttani. They are part of a larger cluster of power looms spread across Arakkonam and Sholingur.

Over the last few years, the number of looms in Murugur, which is about 3 km from the heart of the town, has come down. “It was in 2000 that many weavers switched from handlooms to power looms. Since I’ve grown old, I prefer to get the thread and paavu from a company, stitch the lungi, and get paid ₹14 per metre as wages. I don’t have the strength to manufacture and sell them on my own. I don’t have the money to convert the loom into one for weaving saris either,” he said.