Additional Information
In the Nilakottai area, especially in the villages of Pudur and Kodangi Nayakkanpatti, the rope making industry is carried out. Here, various types of ropes are produced, including Vadakayiru rope, Paarakayiru rope, Vaalkayiru rope, Kamalaikayiru rope, Kadakakayiru rope, Pidikayiru rope, Thaambukayiru rope, and Thumbukayiru rope, etc. Ropes are produced in sizes such as Manik kocham, Saaram kattu kocham, and three-pri type. The raw material required for twisting ropes is coconut fiber. This fiber is abundantly available in Theni, Kambam, and Kanyakumari regions. Especially, the fiber from these three areas is preferred for its length and quality, and it is purchased from these regions.
Although both men and women are involved in the rope-twisting industry, women participate in large numbers. Women engage in various tasks such as fiber separation, placing mats in tools, soaking in water, and setting the fiber to soften. On the other hand, men carry mats from the output areas to carts and sell the ropes to shops and markets.
Previously, traditionally twisted kocham ropes were produced manually, but today in Pudur and Kodangi Nayakkanpatti villages, machines are used for twisting, allowing many women to participate in this work. With the arrival of modern machinery, nylon ropes are also being produced, but naturally made coconut fiber ropes still enjoy high demand among people. The fiber produced in this region is also exported to other states like Kerala and Odisha. In those states, kocham ropes are widely used for decorating pandals and tying grape vines.