Vellore aluminium vessel manufacturers hit by ‘viral fever’

There are agents and sub-agents who purchase hair that are then sent to China to make wigs, according to R Deenadayalan, an aluminum vessel manufacturer in Gudiyattam. These agents visit habitations of tribal communities and gypsies (narikkuravars) to buy their hair, for which they either pay in cash or exchange an aluminum vessel worth the amount of human hair sold. “This is where we come in. Gudiyattam has 15 small units manufacturing vessels. We provide small vessels to tribal and gypsies when they hand over the token from the agent,” he added.

“A kilogram of human hair would fetch between Rs 5,500 and Rs 6,000 based on demand; even 100 grams of hair would fetch the seller Rs 500,” says P Kumaran, another manufacturer. There are shops in Gudiyattam town that sport boards stating that they buy human hair, Deenadayalan said.

Gypsies and tribal were the usual customers, as they would come with hair when they need money. They would sell the hair for either money or barter it in exchange for a small vessel. “Our trade thus relied on the hair business. But Covid-19 brought it to an abrupt halt. Not only the nearly 200 small units in the district are remaining idle for the last two months, even gypsies and tribal communities, who usually relied on hair to make ends meet, are affected,” Deenadayalan added.

As China has stopped import of human hair due to the virus epidemic, the traders here do not know when the business would resume. “We are keeping our fingers crossed, hoping for the best,” said another trader.