Deepavali delight: Murukku sales skyrocket as Malaysians embrace festive flavours

KUALA LUMPUR - This Deepavali, the iconic Indian snack murukku has once again become a festive staple in Hindu households across Malaysia.

This festive season presents an opportunity for local murukku sellers to celebrate their cultural heritage while earning additional income.

For G. Jeyacanth, 46, owner of a third-generation traditional Indian snack store, Selera Snacks in Petaling Jaya, producing over 5,000 pieces of murukku daily is no small feat.

"We operate daily from 8am to 10pm, and as we prepare the murukku using the traditional spiralling method, my employees need to complete around 10,000 rounds each day. I have to rotate my team to keep up with demand,” he told Bernama when met at his store recently.

Jeyacanth shared that while he receives enquiries from as far as Singapore and various parts of Malaysia, the delicate texture of his murukku and its lack of preservatives limit his distribution range.

"Unfortunately, my murukku has a shelf life of only 15 days,” Jeyacanth explained.

With over 30 years in operation, Selera Snacks offers 20 flavours of murukku and cookies, and Jeyacanth also provides discounted prices for bulk orders, allowing suppliers to earn a profit.

During the festive season, Jeyacanth’s store sells up to 1,500 tins of murukku, each containing 95 to 100 pieces, alongside 15,000 bottles of the popular snack.

Meanwhile, in Johor Bahru, V. Sumathi, 50, owner of Vannavil Home-made Cookies, expressed excitement over this year’s brisk sales.

"So far, we’ve sold over 1,000 bottles of murukku, and the crowds have been immense this weekend with Deepavali just days away,” she shared in an online interview.

Inspired by her mother to venture into business, Sumathi initially sold only 20 bottles of murukku. Today, she offers more than 60 types of cookies and around eight varieties of murukku, catering to a diverse clientele across all communities.

In Ipoh, Perak, N. Pusparani, 58, a home-based baker with over a decade of experience, shared her deep-rooted passion for preparing traditional Indian snacks and sweets.

"I started selling murukku because I love its cultural significance within the Hindu community, and it’s a beloved snack among Malaysians. Since then, I’ve been committed to providing my customers with delicious snacks and sweets,” she said.

During the festive season, Pusparani targets sales of 300 bottles of murukku, receiving orders from Johor, Melaka, and Penang, in addition to Perak.

In Melaka, A. Kasthury, 35, another home-based baker, began her murukku business four years ago and finds joy in supporting her family through her sales.

"I started with just 10 bottles of murukku, and this year, I’ve received orders for about 25 bottles,” she said, noting that her murukku’s softness and affordability keep customers returning. - BERNAMA