Ahead of the Festival of Lights, households breathe new life into trusted kitchen appliances rather than discarding them.
Vethasalam Solai Pillay, the proprietor of neighbourhood repair shop Jeyaraj Electrical Services, has witnessed decades of this enduring ritual.
As families ready their homes and prepare elaborate feasts, they flock to his workshop with worn blenders, heavy tosai grinder machines and trusted ovens that have baked generations of festive treats.
Rather than buying new replacements, some have chosen to repair the old machines and tools that are often handed down through generations.
Vethasalam said repairing old kitchen grinders would often require rewiring and finding suitable parts for models that are no longer available.
“I rely on a curated stock of 25 to 30-year-old salvaged components to overcome sourcing hurdles.
“Even broken parts are kept in wooden boxes as they may come in handy for a machine in two or three years’ time,” the 80-year-old told StarMetro.
Loyal customer Rajoo Ravee, 65, is of the view that the workshop delivers value at minimal cost.
S. Kumari, 56, said the shop was able to make new achi (the flat moulds) for the murukku hand press tools.
She has been using the same achi that her mother passed to her.
On the main thoroughfare of Jalan Tengku Kelana, Deepavali brings forth a vibrant tradition for salesmen to display their wares or textiles directly on the street.
Sri Kumaran’s Textile managing director N. Ravi Chandran said the busy commercial area would take on a festive atmosphere during Deepavali, drawing thousands of shoppers to Little India.
“In the lead-up to the festival, Klang’s Little India gets a lot busier...people come from outstation and even overseas, who arrive in coach buses,” he said.
To attract shoppers moving through the crowds, salespersons Kala Devi Samynathan, 40, and Shaliny Muthulingam, 24, drape stone-embellished sarees over their shoulders and arms to showcase the designs.
Salespersons call out to shoppers in Tamil and English, promoting cotton fabrics, silk sarees and Deepavali deals above the noise of the busy street.
School teacher Manju Chettiar, 36, said she enjoyed being at Klang’s Little India during Deepavali for shopping and the good food.
Saravanan Kandiah, 35, said it was a must to visit Little India “to get the feel of Deepavali”.
Shoppers throng Little India’s jewellery stores and boutiques in search of clothing, accessories and jewellery inspired by Tamil films.
Thangaram Jewellers manager Saranya Kumarsamy, 31, said many were opting for traditional gold necklaces with intricate designs this year.
Meanwhile, the south Klang Police headquarters has ramped up security measures, doubling patrols through Little India.
Amid the crowds, Konst Niclos Apansai and L/Kpl Zahid Azmi patrol the streets and narrow alleys to keep an eye on the area.
Shopowners said regular police patrols have helped maintain security and allowed shoppers to celebrate Deepavali with peace of mind.
