Sivakasi: A small town in Tamil Nadu – Sivakasi becomes the heart of Deepavali celebrations in India every year. Often nicknamed Little Japan for its precision and productivity, is where nearly 90 percent of India’s fireworks are born. It has been a cracker of a year for fireworks manufacturers in Sivakasi and surrounding areas this Deepavali season as they have recorded a combined sale of more than Rs 7,000 crore, which is nearly about 17% more than last year. According to P Ganesan, president, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturing Association (TANFAMA), who owns Sony Fireworks, a leading brand cracker sales went up gradually through the season and new varieties received good response from customers. He said that new varieties of crackers introduced this year have received an exceptionally good response from customers across the country, with festive revellers from states beyond Tamil Nadu showing keen interest.
“Apart from Tamil Nadu, festive revellers from other states too showed keen interest in purchasing fireworks. As there was no increase in the cost of a raw material, the price of crackers was not hiked this year. We follow all the guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court in terms of making green crackers’, Ganesan said.
Diwali Celebrations: Sivakasi’s New Child-Friendly Fireworks Captivate the Nation
This year, the town’s manufacturers demonstrated remarkable creativity, introducing a vibrant new range of themed crackers designed specifically to delight children and pay homage to the nation’s heroes. Recognizing that Deepavali and crackers are almost inseparable, the industry consistently designs new varieties to capture young imaginations. For the 2025 season, the spotlight was firmly on cartoon and toy-shaped fireworks. Manufacturers released a wide array of child-friendly items shaped like monkeys, parrots, and elephants, each bursting into multiple hues when lit. Products with catchy names like Smile Elephant, Dragon Wonder, and Lalika quickly became local favourites among shopkeepers and families, even as traditional string crackers like the Saravedi remain banned.
A standout innovation that became the most talked-about product this year is the Operation Sindoor series. These crackers, shaped like military tanks, pay a direct and powerful tribute to the Indian Army’s recent success under the same name.
P Muniyandi Kumar, owner of J 10 Fireworks Pvt Ltd from Sivakasi, said that “the initiative aims for a patriotic -themed product, to turn this year’s Deepavali celebrations into a small salute to the soldiers who protect the nation during the critical time with Operation Sindoor”. Fireworks dealers in Sivakasi confirmed to us that Operation Sindoor rapidly became one of the season’s top sellers, particularly among young buyers eager to light a symbol of national pride.
Alongside these themes, another batch of creative innovations included crackers shaped like traditional weapons such as the Vel (spear), Gadayudham (mace), hammers, and compact cylinders that emit vibrant showers of sparks. These designs were crafted to appeal to both children and adults, blending visual entertainment with cultural symbolism. A critical focus across all new product lines was enhanced safety, with many crafted to reduce noise and heat, making them safer for children to handle under supervision.
While Deepavali brings joy, the industry continues to operate under increased scrutiny concerning worker safety and environmental compliance. In response, many leading companies are now focusing on producing eco-friendlier, low-emission fireworks and safer child-oriented designs. The firecracker industry remains the economic backbone of the region, with approximately 1,108 factories in Sivakasi and neighbouring areas providing direct and indirect employment to an estimated 8 lakh people, a significant 60 percent of whom are women.