Dharapuram Handloom Lungi and Cotton Textile Weaving

Dharapuram taluk of Tiruppur district is a traditional handloom centre producing the cotton lungi — the everyday lower body wrap worn by men across South India. Dharapuram weavers produce checked and striped cotton lungis using pit looms, with design variations distinguishing the Dhoti-style bordered lungi for formal wear from the everyday checked lungi. The weaving is done by Mudaliar and Padmasali weaver communities, with families operating two to four looms in domestic settings. The weaving cooperatives in Dharapuram supply retail chains and export markets. Despite competition from power-loom produced lungis, Dharapuram's handloom lungis retain a quality premium among discerning buyers who appreciate their softer texture from handspun yarn.