Tiruppur sculptors seek cluster to preserve heritage craft

Chennai

Sculptors from Thirumuruganpoondi in Tiruppur district, a town with a long history of stone carving, have urged the Tamil Nadu government to create a dedicated industrial cluster to preserve and promote their traditional craft.

K. Radhakrishnan, president of the Thirumuruganpoondi Sculptors Association, said the town is second only to Mahabalipuram in importance for stone sculptures. For six generations, artisans have crafted detailed stone pieces sent across India. However, the industry is struggling.

Due to quarry restrictions in Uthukuli and Rasipuram, raw materials have become scarce, causing stone prices to rise from Rs 600 to Rs 900 per sq ft within a year. Rising machinery costs have also made operations more expensive, forcing sculptors to raise their prices and lose customers.

Radhakrishnan noted that the number of workshops has dropped from over 150 to just 112 in five years. Though skilled artisans earn Rs 1,500 a day and trainees Rs 500, fewer young people are entering the field, discouraged by the lack of government support.

He requested the government to fully fund the cluster or provide land at a 50% subsidy. Association secretary S. Yuvraj added that loan access is another major issue—none of the 21 trained sculptors last year received loan approvals.

A District Industries Centre official said artisans can get up to 90% subsidy under the Micro Cluster Development Programme, though they must manage land acquisition. He invited sculptors to approach the DIC for guidance. The community now hopes for timely government help to revive their fading art form.