Ludhiana: Once centred around gulal, pichkaris and neighbourhood bonhomie, Holi celebrations have undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Earlier, the festival’s charm lay in its simplicity: A packet of gulal, a bucket of coloured water and homemade gujiyas were enough for a memorable day. Children chased each other through narrow lanes with basic water guns and carefully filled water balloons, while elders exchanged sweets and greetings. The essence of the festival was defined by warmth and togetherness.Today, the scene has changed significantly as Holi equipment has expanded in variety, design and sophistication. Ahead of the festival, markets resemble mini exhibitions, stacked with products that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. This year, one of the biggest attractions is the special gulal smoke cylinder, available in different sizes. These pressure cylinders release large amounts of coloured powder at the push of a lever, sending vibrant clouds into the air. Once used mainly for stage performances or large events, these effects are now finding space in local celebrations.Colourful foam sprays, earlier seen mostly at parties, are now widely available in multiple bright shades, including neon variants. They allow revellers to coat one another in layers of frothy colour. Water guns have also evolved, with markets offering a wide range of sizes and designs. Some come with large water storage bags strapped to the back, while others take the shape of Chinese dragons, fish or even weapons inspired by traditional Trishuls and Gadas, reimagined as water sprayers. These imaginative designs clearly aim to draw the attention of children.Adding further novelty are gulal sprayers, party poppers and colour capsules. The capsules dissolve directly in water to instantly create coloured solutions, eliminating the need to manually mix powder. Straw-attached water balloons, which can be filled all at once, are also part of the growing range. Beyond colours and equipment, small trumpets, colourful wigs, masks and plastic hats contribute to an increasingly vibrant and elaborate celebration.Sonu, a vendor selling Holi products for the past 10 years, noted a sharp rise in both demand and diversity. He said that people now seek products they have seen online, and many of these have become high in demand. Even the six-kilogram smoke cylinder priced around Rs 2,000 is “selling hot”, he said. Amit, a parent shopping for his children, reflected on the shift, saying that while the festival was simpler in their childhood, Holi shopping today has become more diverse and costlier. Yet, he added that if it adds to the fun and makes the festival memorable, it is worth it.
