With Diwali around the corner, the lanes of Ghansi Bazar in Hyderabad are bustling with activity. Families who make Akash Kandils, the traditional Diwali lanterns, are busy preparing for the festival. In small workshops, tables are covered with paper, mirrors, beads, and threads as artisans cut, join, and decorate each lantern by hand.

Anushka, one of the lantern makers, said, “Diwali is the most important time for our family. This is when we earn most of our income. The weeks before the festival are very busy. Every detail, the beads, the mirror work, is done carefully. People who buy from us know they are getting something special, something that carries our tradition.”

Rising prices of raw materials and competition from ready-made lanterns have made the work tougher, but the artisans continue with their craft. Seeing customers come back for their lanterns keeps them motivated. For these families, making lanterns is not just a job. It is a way to continue a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

When Diwali arrives and homes across the city are lit with lanterns, it is the work of these artisans that makes the festival bright and meaningful.