Artisans crafting Thaikkal’s signature rattan swings at a workshop in Thaikkal village, near Kollidam, in Mayiladuthurai district.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
An acute supply and shortages of LPG gas cylinders have brought work to a near standstill in Thaikkal, a coastal artisan cluster in Kollidam block of Mayiladuthurai district known for its Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged rattan craft, disrupting livelihoods across at least a dozen villages.
With commercial cylinders unavailable through regular channels, artisans say they are being forced to procure them in the black market at prices ranging from ₹4,500 to ₹5,300, rendering production unviable.
Published – March 27, 2026 05:08 pm IST
