Think of whistle and you would perhaps associate it with the humble khakhi-clad bus conductor or your school’s PT teacher blowing it to get your attention. Then, Chennai Super Kings got the cricket fans to ‘whistle-podu’. Now, whistle is the hot seller among election paraphernalia.

Manufacturers and retailers are reporting a sharp increase in the sale of whistle, the symbol allotted by the Election Commission of India to actor C. Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the 2026 election.

Mahindra Singh, one of the manufacturers of toys and whistles, was surprised to notice a significant increase in the demand and sale of whistles in recent times. “We always manufacture close to 30,000 whistles a day and sell them to retailers throughout the year across the country. Usually, there would be a sale of nearly 6,000 whistles a day. This will increase by 20%-25% during the IPL season. But, in the past few weeks, there has been a 60% increase in the sale of whistles in Tamil Nadu,” he says.

Demand for TVK colour

While whistles of all colours are sold, there is a specific demand for those in red and yellow. One of the shopkeepers in Chennai selling election paraphernalia says that while every item — mufflers, fans, badge flags of all major parties — are selling well, the demand for whistles is especially high. “We sell 100 pieces for ₹600. The price is high because the demand is steep and also because of an increase in plastic prices owing to the war in West Asia,” he said.

Running out of stocks

Esha Shah, who runs a gift store on Narayana Mudali Street in Chennai, said she was surprised by a sudden surge in the sale of whistles. “We didn’t quite understand initially. We ran out of stock in no time. Only then did it dawn on us that the party fans and vendors selling on streets and beaches are thronging to buy this device,” she added.

As soon as the symbol was allotted to the TVK, Shakeela Devi, a trader in Tiruchi, bought whistles in bulk. “One of the fans who regularly buys them makes a ‘whistle’ garland,” she said.