Shoppers choosing sarees at an outlet in Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang. — Photos: KK SHAM and SAMUEL ONG/The Star
COLOURFUL contemporary sarees are popular this Deepavali as traders at Klang’s Little India coax shoppers to snap up good deals ahead of the Festival of Lights.
The satin silk sarees embellished with Swarovski crystals, made popular in Tamil film The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) and Tamil television series – Mahanadhi, Pandian Stores and Siragadikka Aasai – are the epitome of glamour.
On weekends, shops along Jalan Tengku Kelana in the Indian business enclave are teeming with people who come to visit the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple nearby.
Deepavali, one of the Hindu community’s most colourful celebrations, falls on Oct 31.
Visitors are in for a sensorial experience as they walk past businesses ranging from colourful garment shops and eateries selling traditional sweets to those delivering heady scents from curry powder blends or florist stands with jasmine garlands.
Klang’s Little India is a hub for traditional outfits, spice blends, sweets and prayer items.
Discounts are announced loudly to attract shoppers while textile shop workers hold up the latest festive outfits or eye-catching sarees to entice customers.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry trustee NP Raman said Klang’s Little India was a popular choice as its businesses cater to everyone.
“Despite Deepavali bazaars popping up in other areas, Klang’s Little India is often regarded as a one-stop centre.
Thenmoli shopping for a brass oil lamp.
“There are even makeshift stores along Lorong Tingkat that add to the shopping excitement.
“We have shoppers coming from as far as Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Melaka and Johor,” he said.
Pulmonologist Dr Aaanya Suresh, from Kedah, said she had come to attend prayers at the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple and took the opportunity to shop for new sarees and buy flour to make traditional Indian snacks.
Neelesh Nithi, a teacher from Kelantan who attended prayers at the same temple, said he loved shopping at Klang’s Little India as there was a wide choice of men’s clothing to choose from.
Anaesthesiologist Dr Anushree Chettiar, from Pahang, described Klang’s Little India as a shoppers’ paradise.
Naveet Kaur (right) measuring fabric for a saree. Tailors are busy taking orders for matching blouses ahead of the festival.
“I usually make an annual trip to meet colleagues and shop for Deepavali items in Klang,” she said.
Sri Kumaran’s Textile managing director N. Ravi Chandran said most shoppers were opting for satin silk sarees.
The most popular colour was the vibrant yellow version embellished with Swarovski crystals worn by actress Sneha in GOAT.
Florist Rajammah Guruvelu at Lorong Tingkat ensuring her garlands are fresh.
“Satin, chiffon and georgette sarees are new fashion trends.
“In Mahanadhi, actresses wear sarees with tassels and this creates demand as they are verystylish,” he said.
Ravi Chandran said contemporary sarees are simple to tie and are a fashionable choice at weddings or even as daily wear.
Saranya Kumarsamy showing an assortment of Kolkata design bangles from India that are popular this year.
Friends Kala Devi Samynathan and Suganthini Pathmanathan, who were seen shopping for satin silk sarees, said the traditional women’s garment made from modern fabrics emphasised femininity.
Sri Rasi Silks managing director Navin Kumar said festive shopping began a month in advance as there were school holidays in September.
“We observed that a bigger crowd from outside the Klang Valley started shopping earlier and they are still arriving,” he said.
M. Thanabakiam (left) and her daughter V. Thivashinie choosing spices in Jalan Tengku Kelana.
“People from Kuala Lumpur and other districts in Selangor will typically start shopping closer to the celebration.”
Usually around this period, more salespersons are hired to handle the large number of shoppers.
Tangaram Jewellers co-founder K. Shanbagavalli said shoppers were coming in early on weekends.
Sarees embellished with Swarovski crystals are all the rage this year, thanks to popular Tamil movies and serials.
“Popular jewellery selections this Deepavali include Kolkata design bangles from India as well as a simple necklace desogm with gold balls from Dubai,” she said.
Adyar Ananda Bhavan, an Indian vegetarian restaurant selling traditional Indian sweets, is also seeing good sales.
Manager K. Tamilsilvam, said the eatery was famous for its mothi laddu, kaju pista kasatta, palkova, paal halwa, white soan papdi, dry fruit barfi, kaju katli and special mysore pak.
At Muthu Pillay Store, women could be seen buying flour to make delicacies such as ghee urundai, achi murukku, alwa, palkova, jalebi, murukku, adhirasam and pasi payaru urundai.
Proprietor M. Ravi said as the festival date nears, the crowds would get bigger and he has ensured there was sufficient stock to meet demand.
Tamilsilvam holding up trays of traditional Indian sweets.
Gayathiri Silver Brass Cash and Carry Supermarket, which sells household appliances, is seeing a surge in customers buying Indian silverware and brass prayer items.
“Shopping in Klang’s Little India is an annual tradition for me.
“It’s convenient as I am able to purchase everything I need in one place,” said Kuala Selangor resident M. Thenmoli.
With the large weekend crowds, restaurants are also seeing an increase in the number of customers taking a breather from shopping.
Asst Comm Cha Hoong Fong from South Klang district police headquarters said policemen were increasing patrols around Jalan Tengku Kelana, Jalan Pulasan, Jalan Yeo Guan Hup, Jalan Mohet, Lorong Tingkat and surrounding areas in the city.
