Bright and beautiful

Initially made of paper and cane, today the akashdeep are also made of various fabrics. This season what is dominating the scape are the Chinese akashdeep. These are available in myriad shapes, colours and sizes with exquisite tassels attached. Many shops in the city are also offering metallic ones with attached bulbs that command a higher price.

Talking about the significance of these sky lanterns, Quasim Tamboli, whose 100 year old shop in Laxmi Road, has also displayed a huge variety of these lanterns, says, 8220;Akashdeep signifies the light of God. While the Chinese ones are machine made, the paper and cane lamps still depend on human artistry and precision. Also while the demand for fabric made and paper made akashdeep is great, the cane ones do not enjoy much popularity with the common people due to its high cost and non durable nature8221; adds Tamboli. Incidentally there are also the special Mughal -e-Azam home-made akashdeeps made of rainbow paper that is capturing the attention of the customers. Others have cartoon characters on them.

Admiring the designer lanterns that have flooded the markets, Manisha Patange, a resident of Mukund Nagar, who was busy buying all sorts of decorative items for her home said, 8220;I prefer to have the akashdeep made up of fabric as they look more attractive. For me, like for most others, there is no diwali without the lanterns.8221;

8220;Apart from the large lamps, there are also tastefully made miniatures akash kandils that are selling like hot cakes. Especially the 8216;halogen akashdeep8217;, as they have been named, are in high demand. In fact these lamps are also sent to Mumbai as they are mostly made in Pune,8221; informs Zameer Attar, a shop owner in Laxmi road. Made of plastic or hard paper these halogen akashdeeps are adorned with decorative laces on the edges and stand out as beautifully crafted pieces of art. Throwing light on the hard work that goes behind making akash kandils, Attar says, 8220;We start making these kandils six months before Diwali. The manufacturing requires cooperation of the entire family.8221;

While for most of the market , it8217;s only about selling and buying these designer sky lamps, there is Phiroze F Boocha, of Boocha electric stores on M G Road who has actually underlined his Diwali business with a noble cause. He is selling some of these lamps for a special cause. 8220;I have exhibited some akash kandils that have been made by the inmates of a city-based NGO which works for the rehabilitation of alcohol addicts and the proceeds will go to the NGO,8221; said Boocha. Here8217;s to adding one8217;s bit to make the festival of lights a brighter one in more ways than one.