Sivakasi: In observance of Aadi Perukku, special prayers were held at printing presses in Sivakasi, and the calendar album for the year 2027 was released.
Manufacturers said the price of calendars has increased by 15 percent due to the rise in the cost of raw materials.
More than 150 printing presses in Sivakasi produce notebooks, diaries, calendars, and other items.
Just as sweets are given during Deepavali to share affection, it has become customary to give calendars for the New Year.
As a result, from large companies to small shops, calendars are printed and distributed to customers.
In Sivakasi, more than 50 printing presses are exclusively engaged in calendar production. Every year, special prayers are held on Aadi Perukku day, the calendar album for the following year is released, and orders are usually taken.
Accordingly, yesterday, ahead of Aadi Perukku, special prayers were performed at printing presses in Sivakasi, and the calendar album for 2027 was released.
More than 350 varieties of calendars are produced in different forms, from small to large, ranging in price from Rs. 25 to Rs. 2,500, including daily calendars, desk calendars, and monthly calendars.
Here, calendars are printed not only in Tamil but also in other languages including Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada.
Every year, calendars with new designs are introduced to attract customers.
Accordingly, this year a soft-cloth calendar and a new calendar that allows users to check monthly holidays on the calendar are set to be introduced in 2027.
At the same time, manufacturers said that due to the rise in raw material prices, calendar prices have increased by up to 15 percent this year.
Regarding this, calendar manufacturers said that at the 56th GST Council meeting, with the removal of the 12 percent tax slab in the tax rate revision, paper that had been taxed at 12 percent was moved to the 18 percent tax slab.

Daily calendar with holidays marked. (circled)
Last year, orders from political parties increased because of the assembly election. This year, due to the war situation in the Gulf countries, the prices of raw materials such as paper and cardboard have risen, and with the increase in petrol and diesel prices leading to higher lorry rental charges, calendar prices have gone up by 12 to 15 percent.
Manufacturers said that orders from political parties are not large in scale, while orders from business establishments are coming in as usual.
