The raw materials used by the workers come from across the country. The mango lock made popular by them is known for its key combination, which has to be used in a specific order. Some come with alarm systems that jam when someone tries to pick it. Some locks come with three keys, one to open, one to close and one that can both open and close. The popularity of machine-made ones has sounded their death-knell for these locks, known for their ingenuity and clever use of keys. What adds to their woes is the decreasing demand for these legacy locks. The factory with a tinned roof once had 60 lockmakers, but is now left with just six elderly workers. “But, we could not finish it on time because of fewer workers,” he added. Speaking about the shortage of labour, Karupanna said that they recently sold 275 locks to the Public Works Department. “In 1985, around fifty to sixty workers were employed in this factory now, only we are left,” said the 70-year-old, who is the head of the team. Most of them had retired but were requested by the government to continue working as the society had to function. Yet, these men are willing to fight the industry’s downfall by contributing their skills, even after retirement.Īfter constantly moving his flat iron tool on the lock tightly clutched in his hand, Karupanna removed his eye gear to talk. This labour-intensive industry’s decline has left the workers in dire straits - the income is low and there is no one to hand over the legacy to. It is packed with broken wooden tables, locks, and levers, all of which have a few stories to narrate. These six men have been holding on to the legacy of this craft in this factory, under The Dindigul Lock Workers’ Industrial Co-operative Society, established in 1957. However, an industry that was once the pride of Dindigul has seen its glory gradually fade.

It earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in August 2019. The lock making industry here is said to be nearly four centuries old, though it was regularised over a century ago. Nigithan has been making locks for over 40 years. Now, few in the city that lent its name to the lock use these hand-made beauties. “There was a time when 200 of 300 houses in Dindigul used our locks,” said Nigithan, 62, bending over a flimsy wooden table that shakes with every movement of his. Sexagenarian Nigithan has been making locks in a grungy old factory for over 40 years in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.

Nadu with closed hands