Tamil Nadu plans to produce raw materials required to make zaris, K. Vivekanandan, Handloom Commissioner, told The Hindu in Coimbatore on Friday, February 2, 2024.
Mr. Vivekanandan said that of the 1,100 cooperative societies in the State, 90 are engaged in the production of silk sarees. These require pure zaris. At present, silk thread coated with silver is purchased from other States, and gold coating is added at the Department of Textiles and Handlooms’ facility in Kancheepuram.
“We make almost 3,000 marcs of zari a month, with each marc weighing 242 grams,” he said. For this, about 400 kg of silver threads are purchased every month from other States. The sale value of the zaris is ₹19,500 per marc. If the raw materials are made in Tamil Nadu however, the weavers will get the zari at relatively lower costs, and thus earn more.
