SINGAPORE – After two years of silent celebrations due to Covid-19 restrictions, Ms. Poovan Sundram and her immediate family will nevertheless be able to celebrate Deepavali with her extended family, without restrictions such as the number of other people allowed in the house.
“In recent years we haven’t celebrated much due to the restriction of five other people in the family, but since we have children, this year we take the celebrations seriously so that they follow our traditions,” the 32-year-old actor said. Former public relations manager, married and father of two young men aged 3 and 6.
Poovan plans to spend the entire day with the family, adding his parents and his sister’s family. There will be about 12 more people in his mother’s space in Deepavali on Monday, with a full itinerary including breakfast with the family, lunch served at the Indian Banana Leaf eating spot in Karu, watching Tamil videos about Vasantham after that and playing with flares at night.
Planning for this year’s birthday party began two weeks ago, with a stopover at Deepavali Bazaars along Campbell Lane and across from Centrium Square last week, to buy accessories for her daughter, such as wristbands, and get henna done in her hands. His circle of family also ordered party clothes online well in advance.
This year, spend about $500 more on food alone, adding food and treats to entertain visitors during the week.
“It’s been two years, so we’re fine if we spend a little more this year just to see everyone in the same space again. But the rate has gone up. . . it’s probably because the ingredients are more expensive than before,” Poovan said. Said.
But higher prices haven’t deterred customers, according to stores that saw their business skyrocket in the two weeks leading up to Deepavali. Much of the activity has focused on Little India, where other people buy everything from apparel to home décor items. , or just soak up the atmosphere.
“Attendance at Little India has particularly increased and we expect 4 to 5 million visitors a month without problems. . . is comparable to pre-COVID-19 levels,” said Mr. Ruthirapathy Parthasarathy, Honorary Secretary of Little India. Indian Association of Merchants and Heritage.
Ms. Soniyah Sidhu, manager of Indian fashion store Jinder’s, noted that there is a pent-up call for this year, driven by the fact that the festive season and the Christmas season of year-end weddings come together. Its consumers are preparing for big celebrations and parties.
“We are doing our best to meet demand,” Soniyah said, adding that for the past 15 days, the Selegie Road store has been crowded during the day, but is crowded at night.
She said average spending has also increased by 40 to 50 percent and that the store is seeing other people buy two to four outfits because they have so many parties to attend.
Restaurants offering on-site food have noticed a significant increase in orders for giant teams this year.
Deepavali reservations at Raffles Hotel’s Tiffin Room Indian restaurant were made 3 weeks ago, and many of them were for groups, a hotel spokesman said.
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Biryani owner and chef Govinda Rajan said, “We have noticed a lot of orders from another 10 to 20 people this year for home deliveries, so other people are hosting bigger parties at home. “
He added that other people had also started the celebrations earlier, with orders departing from Friday. The restaurant stopped accepting orders for delivery before Friday and only offers self-pickup at its two outlets on Chander Road and Norris Road on the weekend and in Deepavali. himself.
But Govinda is feeling the pressure of emerging costs, and item prices soared this year. While Malaysia’s source of new birds resumed on Oct. 14 after a four-month ban, he said the value has nearly doubled.
“The fresh bird that used to charge $5. 70 a kg now costs almost $10. . . But we are not yet in a position to adjust the value and we are still absorbing prices,” he said.
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission is required for reproduction.