Little India in almost every state offers interesting buys, particularly during the festive season.

WALKING down the crowded streets of Brickfields, one cannot help but feel the air of festivity all around.

Not because it is due to the upcoming Deepavali celebrations but the shops and the stalls that offer colourful items €“ fabric, sarees, Punjabi suits, sweetmeats, footwear or even jewellery, all lend a continuous festive air, no matter the season or time of day.

Little India in Malaysia is festive all year round but come Deepavali the ambience is heightened with the increase in the number of shoppers and the amount of items that swell out of the stores and onto the streets to appeal to each shopper.

Practically everyone is drawn to the rich colours of the silk and cottons that are on display in air-conditioned shops and even those on makeshift stalls along the sidewalks.

Haggling is a definite must and it is often during the lunch hour or all day during the weekends that you will hear the shrill voices of both the trader and the customer negotiating furiously.

This scene is ever so common on the streets of Brickfields, Leboh Ampang, Masjid India, Jalan Tengku Kelana in Klang, Selangor, or Lebuh Pasar in Penang, among others. Similarly, this also takes places in Seremban, Negri Sembilan; Jalan Lahat, Ipoh, Perak; Johor Baru and Jalan Station in Kluang, Johor.

In most of these places, the main players would be the textile shops selling sarees from polyester to cotton and the expensive embroidered silk sarees from Banaras, India.

While sarees can cost anything from as little as RM10 to tens of thousands, those who purchase these sarees do so with a keen eye as there are many types of silks and most of the designs are done speci­fically for weddings, formal wear and even for family gatherings.

Besides sarees, Punjabi suits, deepas and lenghas are also in demand, with the younger women going for the more stylish and easier-to-wear lengha that is a two-piece suit consisting of a short tunic and a flare long skirt. These come with intricate embroidery, beads and a matching shawl.

Punjabi suits are again, purchased according to taste and they go from simple to elaborate and in recent times, many reflecting modern designs that are sewn to show off the figure of the wearer.

Little India is not only known for Indian apparel but also for the delicious and irresistible Indian sweetmeats and savouries. You will find murukku, omapoddi, palkova, laddu, vadai, kesari and even halwas in many homes during open houses throughout the year. Easily found would be the murukku and omapoddi, which is short strips of murukku that are more spicy and addictive.

Jewellery is an important component in the Asian society and the Indian craftsmen are noted for intricate designs. Of late, even modern jewellery outlets have begun stocking up on Indian design jewellery as most women enjoy the chunky and geometric designs from India.

Right now, the many Little Indias across the country have transformed from everyday streets to colourful and festively lit-up areas, complete with loud music blaring from speakers from almost every shop on the same street.

To celebrate the festival of lights, oil lamps and house decorations are brought out for sale. It is almost impossible to walk on the sidewalks and even cars have to make way for shoppers who, for this season only, would not be fined for jaywalking in Little India.

So, if you are really intrigued about what more that is Indian that you have not seen or tasted, this is a good time to make your way to the nearest Little India and let your five senses out on the loose!