As Deepavali draws near, traders selling various types of readymade decorative items for kolam at the popular Little India stretch here are seeing brisk business.

In the weeks leading up to the Festival of Lights, many households have switched from traditional rice and flour kolam designs to convenient, readymade ones.

Some popular kolam designs are in the form of vibrant, colorful carpet material designs, as well as stencils with intricate patterns.

There are also polystyrene and cardboard-based ones with design crafted inside, where buyers only need to use colored rice or powder to fill the mold, as well as those made out of paper that can be stuck to the floor, which are gaining popularity.

Trader G. Tasarathan, 29, who runs a shop here, said the modern options have vibrant designs and save time, especially for busy families and the younger generation.

“The readymade carpet kolam is selling like hot cakes.

“Then there are some people who prefer the cardboard or polystyrene frame kolam with peacock, lotus flowers and rangoli patterns in bright shades.

“The carpet ones are very easy; one just needs to place them on the floor. No mess, no time wasted,” he added.

Customer S. Suganthy, 53, who was shopping with her husband M. Sugumaran, 58, said she has been making her own kolam using the traditional method over the years.

“I actually came to buy fairy lights, and I saw many kolam designs.

“This is something different. Maybe I will get one and try it out. However, I will still make my own kolam using flour rice,” she said.

Tasarathan said other items selling well are huge incense sticks measuring between 0.3 m and 1.8 m.

“These incense sticks come with different scents such as sandalwood, jasmine, neem and floral,” he said.

At another shop, worker M. Selvam, 52, said apart from the various types of readymade kolam, wall decorations made from wood—with sequins embedded on the designs—are popular.

He said the frames come in various sizes, and have peacocks, lamps and floral designs.

“Danglers in the form of colorful lotus flowers are also gaining popularity, as many buy them to decorate their main entrance,” he said.

Selvam added that wall stickers in a 3D design featuring “Happy Deepavali” are also popular with customers.