Political rivals in the state have blamed each other for the deaths, and the site of the tragedy witnessed a protest by local opposition politicians Monday.
Tamil Nadu is not a dry state, but liquor traded on the black market comes at a lower price than alcohol sold legally.
Selling and consuming liquor is prohibited in several other parts of India, further driving the thriving black market for potent and sometimes lethal moonshine.
Last year, poisonous alcohol killed at least 27 people in one sitting in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, while in 2022, at least 42 people died in Gujarat.
Indian media reported that poor labourers in Kallakurichi district regularly bought liquor in plastic bags costing 60 rupees (US$0.70), which they would drink before work.
This batch, however, was devastating. Some people went blind, while others collapsed in the street and died before they could make it to the hospital.
