Klang: Little India along Jalan Tengku Kelana is buzzing with activity as the Indian community makes final preparations and shops for the Festival of Lights. A Bernama check today saw shoppers filling rows of stores selling clothing and prayer items, while henna artists were meticulously drawing intricate designs on customers’ hands.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, henna artist Isaac Raj, 25, said customers are typically charged between RM10 and RM50, depending on the design, motif, and colour chosen. He noted that the henna art business has grown steadily over the years, with the emergence of new, high-quality henna brands, allowing entrepreneurs like him to expand their businesses to meet diverse customer demands.

Isaac, who has nearly 10 years of experience, shared that the motifs most often requested by customers include flowers, leaves, peacocks, and geometric patterns, which bring out the beauty and festive charm of the celebration. He explained that while some henna designs can cost hundreds of ringgit, skilled artists can create patterns that look just as beautiful as the more expensive ones.

One customer, P. Lallytha from Puchong, highlighted the tradition of wearing henna to enhance elegance and complement saree attire during Deepavali. She expressed appreciation for the convenience of modern henna application, which now comes in tubes and takes less than 15 minutes to apply.

R. Gayathiry, another customer, emphasized that henna is always the final touch to her family’s Deepavali preparations, ensuring the intricate patterns last throughout the celebrations. She shared that her family settles all other preparations before heading to Little India for henna, noting that the timing of application affects how long the designs last, making it a valuable tradition for families, especially children.