With Diwali around the corner, Mumbaikars craving their fill of farsan are hitting their markets to stock up for the upcoming festivities. Everyone is dreaming of gorging on karanji, chakli, shankarpali and ladoos made of rawa and besan.
Cashing in on the surge in demand of ready-made farsan in the city are traders who have automatically pushed up the rates of raw materials. This has had a domino effect of the prices of ready-made farsan.
The rates of raw materials like rawa, maida, besan, oil, dry fruits, ghee and even gas have shot up. The non-availability of trained professionals to make these items is also one reason behind the escalating prices. There is an acute shortage of farsan-makers, so the existing ones have increased their wages and are working overnight to complete their orders considering the heavy demand and short supply.
Making farsan at home is considered auspicious. Earlier, families would begin preparations at least a fortnight before diwali and neighbours use to help each other. However, such traditions have are disappearing with time. Some people make one or two items called 'Nevaidyam' in small quantities. However, most people buy in bulk from local markets so it can be distributed among friends and family. This new trend is become a very big market for suppliers and traders. Co-operative societies, who also sell farsan, too have jacked up their rates.
A traders on condition of anonymity said, "The selling of farsan during Diwali time is a very big market in Mumbai and surrounding areas. It may be unbelievable but true, the approximate turnover of farsan is Rs 50 crore during Diwali in MMR region alone."
Babubhai Ravechi, a trader at the Masjid Bunder wholesale market in South Mumbai said, "There is a heavy surge in demand of Diwali farsan but supply is less. We are paying makers in advance so we can receive orders in adequate quantity and in time."
Sanjeev Kapoor, grand master chef, author and television show presenter, said, "One of the joys of Diwali is to have the heavenly aroma of Diwali delicacies wafting in from the kitchen. However, these days, with both spouses working in high pressure jobs, the paucity of time prevents them from making Diwali goodies at home. This compels them to buy."
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