Handloom weavers who are believed to have moved to Madurai from Sourashtra in Gujarat five centuries ago, and went on to become one of the most flourishing businessemen in the region, are on the verge of downfall. Modern day power looms, quick at copying designs and producing fabrics are negatively impacting livelihoods of handloom weavers in Krishnan Lane in Madurai's Chinnakanmai area.

Historians say, over centuries, people who had moved to Madurai mastered the art of handloom weaving and their skills also provided them special status in the royal courts. Even as early as the 5th century, the Gupta rulers patronized Sourashtrians because of their intricate silk weaving techniques. The arrival of the royal weavers in Madurai began with the advent of the Madurai Nayak rule in 1529, when the Vijayanagara kings established their viceroys in the region. Sourashtrians came during the time of Viswanatha Nayak but they received better patronage and flourished during the time of Thirumalai Nayak. In the same way, Tanjore Nayaks said to have patronised the community in Thirupuvanam and Tarasuram in Thanjavur district.

However, the art of weaving is now suffering at the hands of powerlooms. Even the young generation is opting for professions other than handloom weaving because of the negative impact of power looms and lack of patronage.