Delhi's ban, barium blues hit country's fireworks capital Sivakasi

The ban on barium has impacted the production of key items like sparklers, chakris, anars, twinkling stars, and pencils

Impressed by its industrial vibrancy, former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru affectionately referred to this small city in Tamil Nadu as ‘Kutty Japan’ (Kutty means ‘mini’ in Tamil). Now, in 2024, Nehru’s Kutty Japan, popularly known as Sivakasi, still contributes to over 85 per cent of the fireworks made in the country, lighting up the festive colours of every city and village in India.

Despite this status, this small city is fighting for survival, thanks to the ban on firecrackers in Delhi, regulations in several other cities, pandemic-imposed sales dips, and the ban on the use of barium