Crackers and Festivals

Festivals and its Fireworks...

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New Year's celebrations

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera Houseilluminated under New Year's Eve Fireworks, 2005, Sydney, Australia.

A fireworks display on Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan, New Year's 2008. A rare example of fireworks on a skyscraper.

Major cities around the world host a spectacular firework display on New Year's Eve. One of the first to be seen worldwide is the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks produced by Foti Fireworks and the City of Sydney.^[5]

Although it is now customary to fire off fireworks on New Year's Eve, in the past the idea was to scare 'bad forces' so they would not enter the new year.^{[citation needed]} The most popular fireworks are still those that go off with a big bang or with a bright flash.^{[citation needed]}

In Western Europe, the sale of fireworks to the general public is usually restricted to a week before New Year's Eve. However this does not stop people from buying a large volume of fireworks in the weeks preceding New Year's Eve to be picked up during the selling days. Retail sales of fireworks in Europe differ from those of the US because of weight limits on the amount of powder which may be stored in a building.

Bastille Day

Many cities of the world celebrate Bastille Day with fireworks.

Bastille Day, Paris

Bastille Day, Budapest

Guy Fawkes Night in Great Britain (AKA Bonfire Night)

Main article: Guy Fawkes Night

In 1605 Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the Parliament of England while the King was inside. Fawkes placed 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars of Westminster Hall. On 5 November, Fawkes was arrested and Parliament was saved. That night is now celebrated, both in the United Kingdom and in former British colonies such as South Africa and New Zealand, as Guy Fawkes Night or bonfire night by filling the sky with exploding fireworks and by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.

Remember, remember the fifth of November.

Gunpowder, treason, and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.

– a children's rhyme about the events, still spoken today

A Guy Fawkes Night Display.

The towns of Lewes and Llangybi are famous for their annual Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. Local groups called 'bonfire societies' conduct torch-lit marches around the town, vying with each other for the best fancy-dress outfits and typical celebrity figures that are later burnt. Examples of recent figures include the Pope, Margaret Thatcher, George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden.

The largest annual fireworks display in the UK is held in early September in Edinburgh. Since 1981, the world's largest arts festival has ended each year with a combination of live open-air orchestral pieces (performed in the Ross Band Stand, Princes Street Gardens) and a collection of fireworks launched from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle immediately behind. The Princes Street area provides a natural amphitheatre for enjoying the music and fireworks.

This event was re-enacted in V for Vendetta along with the children's rhyme.

Thrissur Pooram fireworks, India

Thrissur Pooram is one of the most colourful and spectacular temple festivals of Kerala, India. Displays include fireworks, a parasol exchange competition and an elephant procession accompanied by percussion ensemble.

The fireworks display is held in the late hours of the day^{[verification needed]} after the Pooram. The Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams present many innovative patterns and varieties of fireworks. This famous and mighty exhibit of fireworks adds to the popularity of the Pooram festival.

Thrissur Pooram, the mother of all temple festivals in the state, is essentially one of spectacles. The two devaswams&emdash;Thiruvampadi and Paramekkavu&emdash;explore and exploit every source at their command to make this annual festival a memorable one.

The firework shows at the Nemmara Vela in Palakkad district and Sri. Kottaram Bhagavathy temple, Maradu in Ernakulam district are the other major firework shows of Kerala.

U.S. Independence Day

"It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." - John Adams to Abigail Adams, Philadelphia July 3d. 1776

Independence Day fireworks in Washington, D.C.

Each year before the American Independence Day (July 4th) retailers across the nation experience a surge in fireworks sales.^{[citation needed]}Independence Day is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from theKingdom of Great Britain.

Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history and traditions of the U.S. Fireworks have been associated with the Independence since 1777.

In many states, consumer fireworks are sold for personal use or as an alternative to a public show. Concerns about safety have led some states to ban fireworks or limit the sizes and types allowed, but illicit traffic from less restrictive border states is common.^{[citation needed]}

Some of the most famous fireworks displays include Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in New York (the largest in the country), Houston, and the Boston display on the Charles River esplanade. There are also displays in Nashville (riverfront), Chicago, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario jointly host one of the largest fireworks displays in the world over the Detroit River each year in celebration of both American Independence Day and Canada Day during the Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival.

Victoria Day (Canada)

Main article: Victoria Day

Victoria Day is the official celebration in Canada of the birthdays of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. It is a federal holiday celebrated annually on the Monday before or on May 24th. Along with Canada Day, it is one of only two holidays (in most municipalities) where the Canadian public can purchase and ignite fireworks.

Canada Day

Main article: Canada Day

Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is a federal holiday celebrated on July 1 marking the establishment of Canada as a Dominion on July 1, 1867. It is observed by all provincial governments and most businesses across the country. The celebration typically includes fireworks.

Thunder Over Louisville

Main article: Thunder Over Louisville

This event is the kick-off for the two week long Kentucky Derby Festival and is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the largest annual fireworks display in North America. The event lasts throughout the day and includes an extensive airshow. The fireworks show itself lasts for around half an hour, along with a synchronized soundtrack through PA and radio. Several hundred thousand people attend each year, lining the banks of the Ohio River in Louisville and across the river in Jeffersonville, Indiana and Clarksville, Indiana. Some also watch from the river on boats docked in positions auctioned off for charity.[1] Eight 400-foot (120 m) barges launch the fireworks, provided by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, from both sides of theGeorge Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge (Second Street Bridge), and more fireworks are launched from the bridge itself. In the event's first year, 1990, only 4000 shells were used. By 1996, 4000 shells were fired within the event's first minute. In 2007, the crowd for the event was estimated at 800,000 people.

Diwali ('Festival of Lights') in India

Fireworks in an Indian house on Diwali day

Diwali is the most popular festival of India, which broadly celebrates the triumph of good over evil primarily symbolized in the epic of Ramayana in which the Hindu God Rama defeats his demonic adversary Ravana. Customary traditions include offering prayers to the Gods in the morning and exchanging sweets with friends and neighbors. During the night, the houses are adorned with small, lit oil lamps and colorful lights and then the entire family participates in the display of fireworks.

The South India especially Tamil Nadu have the fame of dramatic and glory in celebrating with firework displays. Fireworks display brighten the skies and varieties flow every year. The City Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is the Hub of fireworks production in the country and also the leading producers in the world and dominate the exports to the rest of the globe. Sivakasi attracts around its outskirts by its displays during the festival and its a feast to watch. And there is no doubt about the celebration carried out in the city of Sivakasi. Its a great pride.

Unlike Western nations, retail of fireworks is largely unrestricted in India. People have access to a variety of fireworks and most of them in urban areas set them off on the public roads running in front of their houses. In smaller towns, the large temples of the town typically have public fireworks displays. Deepavali brings the spirit of goodwill and brotherhood and is celebrated across all religions in India. Some popular fireworks include the famous 'phooljhari' or 'sparkler' which is commonly used in lighting most other fireworks. The 'Anaar' or 'Flowerpetal'or 'Flowerpot' displays as a large mountain of fire when lit. The 'Zameen Chakra' is a spinning circle of fire with sparks emitting from it. The 'rocket' is popular but dangerous, as it can change its course and fly into buildings. Bombs like 'Chilli Bombs' and 'Laxmi bombs' are becoming popular, but are sometimes disturbing due to their high intensity.

Maltese Petards

A firework during a traditional Maltese feast.

In Malta, local patron saints' holidays are usually celebrated with spectacular fireworks and bombs called petards or murtali in Maltese. Petardry is a popular hobby and a traditional skill in Malta, and Maltese fireworks are usually homemade. Manufacture is often high-risk,^[6] but the final results are extravagant.

In the opinion of many fireworks artists^{[citation needed]}, Malta is one of the best places in the world for the manufacture of fireworks. The 'Malta International Fireworks Festival', held annually at the end of April in the Valletta Grand Harbour, is a fireworks competition open to all pyrotechnic manufacturers of the world. The event began in 2003 as just a festival to showcase Maltese talent. In 2006, the committee decided to retool it into a competition open to manufacturers worldwide. The first of these international fireworks competitions was contended by two foreign groups and three Maltese groups. The title was won by the St. Mary Fireworks Factory, of Mqabba, which won five of the seven honours, including the shield for the best display overall, with the remaining two honours being won by another Maltese competitor, St Michael's Fireworks of Lija. The great extent of Maltese talent, however, is most evident during summer and spring, during which many cities and villages celebrate the feasts of their patron saints and local artists produce their best fireworks. The Maltese take pride in their renown as one of the foremost in the pyrotechnic industry.

privacy Policy

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Pyrotechnicians...

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A pyrotechnician is an individual responsible for the safe storage, handling, and functioning of pyrotechnics and pyrotechnic devices. Although the term is generally used in reference to individuals who operate pyrotechnics in the entertainment industry, it can include all individuals who regularly handle explosives. For the purposes of disambiguation, however, individuals who handle more powerful materials for commercial, demolition, or military applications are generally referred to as explosive technicians.

Certification

It is becoming more common in different countries and regions for individuals involved with the storage, handling and operation of pyrotechnics to have some form of license or certification. The specific requirements for certification, along with any restrictions or prohibitions, however, can vary wildly from one jurisdiction to the next. Most jurisdictions do require some type of minimum professional fireworks training before being allowed to apply for certification.

Canada

In Canada, individuals using, handling or storing pyrotechnics must receive government certification, administered by the Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada. All individuals must meet certain minimum requirements, including being at least 18 years of age and having received government training, before being issued a license. All pyrotechnicians, of any classification or certification are required to maintain a log of their experience.

Certification for the use of proximate (indoor) pyrotechnics in Canada is separate from certification for display fireworks, and different government training and certification must be obtained.

The available licenses for the use of proximate pyrotechnics are sub-divided into one of 6 categories.

Theatrical User

The Theatrical User classification is intended for individuals who use pyrotechnics as only a minor part of their profession, and have no need for advancement to higher classes of certification. Individuals may use only a severely restricted list of pyrotechnics, and are also subject to significant restrictions as to their application. Certification is valid for one year.

Assistant

The Assistant classification is considered an entry level class for individuals entering the pyrotechnics profession, or who use pyrotechnics in their profession. Individuals may use a restricted list of pyrotechnics individually, but may fabricate, handle, and set-up a broader list of pyrotechnics typically prohibited to the Assistant under the direct supervision of a higher licensed individual. After five years of verifiable experience with a sufficient assortment of pyrotechnics, Assistant level technicians may apply for advancement to Pyrotechnician certification. Certification is valid for one year.

Pyrotechnician

The Pyrotechnician classification is the primary classification in Canada. Individuals may use any pyrotechnic device or product approved for use in Canada, and may also fabricate, handle, and set-up a special purpose or custom fabricated pyrotechnics typically prohibited while under the direct supervision of a Special Effects Technician. After five years of verifiable experience with a sufficient assortment of pyrotechnics, Pyrotechnician's may apply for advancement to Special Effects Technician certification. Certification is valid for one year.

Special Effects Technician

The Special Effects Technician classification is the most advanced classification in Canada. Individuals may use any pyrotechnic device or product approved for use in Canada, and may also fabricate, handle, and set-up a special purpose or custom fabricated pyrotechnics device typically prohibited. A Special Effects Technician may also apply for special certification to use restricted material, such as detonating cord and exploding bolts. Certification is valid for one year.

Authorities Having Jurisdiction

Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) are individuals certified by the Explosive Regulatory Division to inspect and approve pyrotechnic events, including members of agencies associated with pyrotechnics such as fire departments and police forces. Unlike other certification classes, Authorities Having Jurisdiction are not required to pay a renewal fee, and certification is valid for five years.

Out-of-Country Technicians

Pyrotechnicians based outside of Canada participating in the production of a pyrotechnics special effects event in Canada are required to obtain a Visitor Card at either a Pyrotechnician or Special Effects Technician equivalent level. A certified Canadian technician of the applicable class must also be employed for the production. Visitor Cards are valid for one year.

Alternately, pyrotechnicians based outside of Canada may apply for Canadian certification, provided they meet the minimum requirements and attend the Explosive Regulatory Division certification training.

United States

There is no national certification or licensing requirements for pyrotechnicians in the United States, however, many individual states implement their own certification or licensing programs. Not all states have reciprocity agreements in regards to honouring another states certification, so it is not uncommon for pyrotechnicians to have certifications from multiple states. Certain states require certification to store, handle and operate fireworks but not proximate (indoor) pyrotechnics; other states use the same certification for all pyrotechnics. It is always recommended to confer with local authorities in any jurisdiction to determine local laws and regulations.

Professional pyrotechnic companies typically have licenses issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with regard to manufacturer and distribution of pyrotechnic materials.

Pyrotechnics...

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Pyrotechnics is the science of materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound. Pyrotechnics include not only the manufacture of fireworks, but items such as safety matches, oxygen candles, explosive bolts and fasteners, and components of the automobile safety airbag.

Pyrotechnic devices combine high reliability with very compact and efficient energy storage, in the form chemical energy which is converted to expanding hot gases either through deflagration or detonation. The controlled action of a pyrotechnic device (initiated by any of several means, including an electrical signal, optical signal or mechanical impetus) makes possible a wide range of automated and/or remote mechanical actions; for example, deployment of safety equipment and services, precisely timed release sequences, etc. The majority of the technical pyrotechnic devices usepropellants in their function, a minority use materials that are classified as primary or secondary explosives to obtain very fast and powerful mechanical (mostly cutting) actions; for example cable cutters or exploding bolts.

Individuals responsible for the safe storage, handling, and functioning of pyrotechnic devices are referred to as pyrotechnicians.

Pyrotechnic Effects

Explosions, flashes, smoke, flames, fireworks or other propellant driven effects used in the entertainment industry are referred to as pyrotechnic special effects, theatrical effects, or proximate pyrotechnics. Proximate refers to the pyrotechnic device's location relative to an audience. Special training and licencing must be obtained from local authorities to legally prepare and use proximate pyrotechnics.

Rammstein uses pyrotechnics numerous times in their shows, such as this performance of Feuer Frei.

Many musical groups use pyrotechnics to enhance the quality of their live shows. Some of the earliest bands to use pyrotechnics were Queen, Pink Floyd, and KISS. The band Rammstein uses a large variety of pyrotechnics, from flaming costumes to face-mounted flamethrowers. Also Nightwish and Lordi are known for their vivid pyrotechnics. Many professional wrestlers have also used pyrotechnics as part of their entrances to the ring. One example would be Bill Goldberg, who used pyrotechnics during his in ring entrance in both World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Modern pyrotechnics are, in general, divided into categories based upon the type of effect produced or manufacturing method. The most common categories are:

Airburst - Hanging charges designed to burst into spheres of sparks.
Binary kits - Powders divided into oxidizer and fuel intended to be mixed before use.
Comets (meteor) - Rising shots resembling shooting stars.
Preloaded Comet
Preloaded Mine - Tubes containing a lift charge intended to project stars, sparks, confetti or streamers.
Preloaded Smoke Pot - Cartridges designed to release a mushroom cloud of smoke.
Preloaded Report (concussion tube) - Tubes designed to create a loud report.
Falls - Devices intended to drop like falling stars.
Fireballs / Mortar Hits - Containers creating mushroom clouds of flame.
Flame Projector - Columns shooting pillars of flame.
Flare (Torch) - Short, high intensity flames or various colours.
Flash Cotton (Sparkle String) - Cotton string impregnated with nitrocellulose.
Flashpaper - Sheets of nitrocellulose resembling tissue paper.
Flash Pot - A container for creating a bright flash and smoke.
Flash Tray (split mine) - A long tube creating a wide, bright flash.
Gerb (including fountain, whistle, and waterfall) - A fountain of sparks.
Lance - A small brightly coloured fountain that produces few sparks.
Line Rockets - Whistling gerbs travelling across wires.
Multi-Tube Article (multi-shot plate, multiple shot repeater boards and bombardo boards; designed to function in sequence) - Multiple effects chained together.
Pre-Mixed Powder - Powders intended to create various effects. (Concussions, flashes, etc.)
Squib - A small, pre-matched device typically used to replicate bullet hits.
Strobe - A device intended to create bright repetitive flashes.
Wheel (Saxon) - Tubes that create a spinning wheel of sparks.

A basic pyrotechnic device

A basic theatrical effect, designed to create a jet or fountain of sparks, is referred to as a gerb. A gerb consists of a sufficiently strong and non-flammable container to hold the pyrotechnic compound. Typical pyrotechnic formulations consist either of flammable materials such as nitrocellulose and/or blackpowder or a mixture of a fuel and oxidizer blended in situ. A plug placed at one end of the container with a small orifice, called a choke, constricts the expulsion of the ignited pyrotechnic compound, increasing the size and aggressiveness of the jet.

Pyrotechnics are widely used in professional wrestling, especially by WWE, to provide the excitement of the event

Various ingredients may be added to pyrotechnic devices to provide colour, smoke, noise or sparks. Special additives and construction methods are used to modify the character of the effect produced, either to enhance or subdue the effect; for example, sandwiching layers of pyrotechnic compounds containing potassium perchlorate, sodium salicylate or sodium benzoate with layers that do not creates a fountain of sparks with an undulating whistle.

In general, such pyrotechnic devices are initiated by a remotely controlled electrical signal that causes an electric match, or e-match, to produce ignition. The remote control may be manual, via a switch console, or computer controlled according to a pre-programmed sequence and/or a sequence that tracks the live performance via stage cues.

[edit]Display Pyrotechnics

Main article: Firework

Display pyrotechnics, also known as commercial fireworks, are pyrotechnic devices intended for use outdoors, where the audience can be further away, and smoke and fallout is less of a concern. Generally the effects, though often similar to proximate pyrotechnics, are of a larger size and more vigorous in nature. It will typically take an entire day to setup a professional fireworks display. The size of these fireworks can range from 2.5" diameter to over 16" diameter depending on the available distance from the audience. Special fireworks training and licensing must be obtained from local authorities to legally prepare and use display pyrotechnics. NV

[edit]Consumer Pyrotechnics

Consumer pyrotechnics are devices readily available for purchase to the general public without special licensing or training. These items are considered relatively low hazard devices but, like all pyrotechnics, can still be hazardous and should be stored, handled and used appropriately. Some of the most common examples of consumer pyrotechnics encountered include recreational fireworks, model rocket motors, highway flares, sparklers and caps for toy guns. Pyrotechnics are also indirectly involved in other consumer products such as powder actuatednail guns, ammunition for firearms, and modern fireplaces.

[edit]Safety

Pyrotechnics stunt exhibition by "Giant Auto Rodéo",Ciney, Belgium.

If not handled and/or used properly pyrotechnics can be dangerous. In 2003, improper use of pyrotechnic devices caused a fire in a Rhode Island nightclub called, The Station. The Station nightclub fire was started when the fireworks the band Great White was using accidentally ignited flammable soundproofing foam, which was not appropriate and/or not installed properly. The foam caused the fire to spread rapidly and the resulting fire led to 100 deaths, ostensibly because their quick escape was blocked by ineffective exit doors. A similar pyrotechnic-induced fire in 2004 destroyed the Republica Cromagnon nightclub in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing 194 people.

Indoor and/or proximate pyrotechnics is a sub-specialty that requires additional training beyond that of other professional pyrotechnics areas and additionally requires the use of devices especially made for indoor and/or close proximity use. While the type of foam used and the lack of a required sprinkler system were important factors in the fire, the Great White fire could have been prevented had those involved paid even minimal attention to standard safety practices around the use of pyrotechnics^{[citation needed]}.

A common low-budget pyrotechnic electric flash pot is created using screw-in electric fuses in a porcelain light fixture. The viewing window is removed from the top of the fuse and flash powder poured into the hole around the fuse link. When plugged into line power, the fuse instantly blows, igniting the flash powder. Such flash pots are highly dangerous since they use exposed line current, the use of high amperage fuses can cause large main circuit breakers and building-wide fuses to trip, and there is usually no indication of whether the lamp socket is powered. Screwing a powder-loaded fuse into an unknowingly powered socket will result in immediate igniting in the face of the pyrotechnician and potentially severe burns. Proper commercial electric flash pots include safety features such as warning pilot lamps, preignition grounding and safing circuits, and keyed power connections to help prevent accidental ignition.

Famous Fireworks Manufacturers in TamilNadu...

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http://www.standardfireworks.in/

official Standard fireworks Website

Spread, Size and Firsts Standard Fireworks Ltd., is India 's largest fireworks manufacturing company. The company's products enjoy a 45% market-share in India and 5% of global exports. The company is currently growing at a steady rate of 10% every year. Spread over forty million square feet of prime land with 16 manufacturing units and several ancillary units, it employs over 10,000 personnel. The fact that only 10% of the total land area is being used, answers the concern for issues of environment and safety during production. Standard Fireworks has achieved the distinction of being the first Indian Company to break the monopoly of Chinese* firecrackers* in the US market, besides pioneering sales in countries such as U.K, Germany , Belgium , Holland , Spain , Canada , Middle East , South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Manufacturing Infrastructure and Facilities Standard Fireworks has established in-house facilities for manufacturing every component in its entire product range. These also include; Raw materials, product design, packaging, printing, labeling, covers, cases, shells, raw material mixing, machining and storage. The facilities also include units for fuse making, wire cutting, extruding, manufacture of paper tubes, gunpowder, roll and dot caps. The company's ease in arriving at new products and thereby commencing production to meet mass market demands, speaks volumes of its highly experienced and dedicated pyrotechnicians. The ‘Research & Development' capability, combined with adherence to safety, legislation and quality standards has ensured that Standard Fireworks is a leading supplier to the explosives requirements of Military, Ordnance factories and public sectors in India. Standard Fireworks has harnessed in Sivakasi, the right combination of location, humidity and temperature, availability of raw materials, technology and labour to produce an amazing range of products that meet International standards. At the horizon, the stage is all set for the Standard Fireworks products to display its capability, at celebrations across the globe. Standard Fireworks Ltd. is a major supplier of explosives and special range of fireworks to the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy and Government owned Ordnance factories. Its range of products are expansive and cost effective. The company has focused its attention and importance on every safety detail, while striving to achieve an `Accident-Free-Production Zone.' Some of the regulations : The safe humidity levels for production work is between 40 and 70 % If the level varies above or below, the work is immediately stopped. The walls in the factory are protected with Lightning barriers, sandbags or earth mounds. The floors of working rooms are laid with 3mm thick rubber sheet to avoid avoid friction.
Growth Profile of an Indian Pyrotechnics Giant Into its sixth decade of existence, the Company has performed brilliantly to earn the distinction of being the ‘Number One' Pyrotechnics Company in India and to be the World's largest in terms of the number of employees. Its phenomenal success is a result of sustained efforts in manufacturing and standardising products. The graphical illustrations speak of the company's performance over the years.

Profile:

Are you looking forward to purchase fancy items of Fireworks, Paper Caps, Colour Matches etc. Here is your answer! You can rely upon technologically upgraded quality products from Anil Fireworks Factory, the pioneers in the industry since 1923 marketing especially superfine items of novel designs, offered at attractive low prices considering global market today. It is worth mentioning our small contribution towards the Gala Celebration of Bi-Centenary of U.S.A. with export of sparklers from Anil Fireworks. Recently, we have exported our fireworks to South Africa.

ANIL = QUALITY

Having established a name for quality in fireworks in the domestic market we are now engaged in the export market. For this purpose, a new concern - Anil Mercantile Exporters has been started exclusively.

More than 250 Items of Fireworks are manufactured with the Pyrotechnic Aluminium Powder and Black Powder combination as per the Indian Explosive Act.

Eventhough we have established a name for quality, we are still engaged in market research and development by consulting with experts in China, Taiwan and Germany for us to benefit from their knowledge and suggestions to improve the quality our products and services still further. Our partners frequently make trips to foreign countries for this purpose.

OUR HISTORY:

It was in 1923, 77 years back our group was started with a single factory with 100 workers for the manufacture of Anil Brand Safety Matches. Today after 77 years of continous standing in the Industrial field, our group has expanded to the present growth, consisting of 25 Industrial Units engaged in diversified and varied activities such as manufacture of potassium chlorate, copper coated wires, paper tubes, agricultural products, herbal products, traditional offset printing unit etc. employing more than 5000 dedicated workers.etc. employing more than 5000 dedicated workers.

OUR FOUNDER:

We owe everything to our founder Sri.Pabanasa Nadar whose visionary concept has made us to grow in this gigantic form and still growing with his blessings to cater the needs of the Nation and to give employment to further thousands

http://ayyanfireworks.emallroad.com/

From its inception in 1923 till 1984, for some six decades Ayyan Nadar headed the institution that he founded.

From 1984, his sons Mr.A.Graha Durai and A.Vaira Prakasam have been heading the business house. In 1996 they forayed into yarn and have set up a spinning mill and also into printing. The results are good and they are well set. The third generation is well equipped and are eager to hold aloft the banner of Ayyan.

Fireworks Manufacturing Process...

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Making the stars

1 The ingredients used to prepare stars are obtained from chemical supply companies and stored in barrels. At the time of mixing the chemicals are scooped out of the barrels, weighed, and sifted twice through brass screens to remove lumps. (Brass is used because it does not produce sparks.) The sifted powders are placed on a large sheet of paper and gently mixed by hand. The powders may also be mixed inside a rotating drum or a stationary container with rotating paddles. These devices must be used with great care to avoid generating heat through friction or trapping bits of powder between moving parts.
2 The mixed powder is placed in barrels and taken from the mixing room to the cutting room. Water is mixed with it to form a soft dough. Lumps of the dough are scooped into large paper-lined wooden molds shaped like loaves of bread. The dough is packed firmly into the mold with a wooden mallet. (The wet dough is much safer to manipulate than the dry powder.)
3 The loaves of dough, weighing about 35 pounds (16 kg) each, are unmolded onto a workbench covered with heavy cardboard sprinkled with black powder. The loaves are cut in one direction to form slices then cut in the other direction to form dice. The dimensions of the dice may be anywhere from 0.06-2 inches (0.16-5 cm). The black powder adheres to the wet dice and will help them burn when the firework is ignited. The dice are allowed to dry on papercovered screens.

Making the breaks

4 The dried dice are now stars. They are moved to the packing room to be placed into cardboard containers. A hollow cardboard tube is placed in the center of the cylindrical container and stars are gently poured around it. A large container may hold as many as 900 stars (about 4.4 pounds [2 kg]). When the container is full, black powder is poured inside the hollow tube and the tube is removed. The powder fills the spaces between the stars, and will serve to ignite and scatter them. A paper cap is placed on the filled container, now called a "break."
5 The break is wrapped with heavy string, a process known as spiking. Spiking is done by tying one end of a large spool of string to the break and winding the string around it. When the break is completely covered, the string is cut and tied. Some breaks are not spiked, but are made instead of plastic or heavier cardboard to withstand the stress of being launched. A time fuse (a short, slow-burning fuse that causes the break to explode a certain amount of time after it is launched) is inserted into the break, and it is wrapped in heavy paper. The wrapped breaks are moved to the pasting room to be wrapped in heavy, paste-soaked paper, then allowed to dry for about two days. The paper hardens as the paste dries to form a strong, tight seal.
6 Some breaks, known as salutes, are filled with flash powder rather than stars and black powder. Flash powder is mixed in much the same way as the chemicals used to make stars. It is then poured into cardboard containers that are thicker and stronger than other breaks. This allows more pressure to build up before the salute bursts, resulting in a louder bang. These salutes are then spiked and pasted like other breaks.

Making the shells

7 The dry breaks are moved to the finishing room to be assembled into shells. The simplest shells consist of a small compartment of black powder combined with a single break. Due to their spherical structure, Asian shells always contain only one break. Because American and European shells are cylindrical, more than one break can be stacked together, so that the shell will display multiple bursts of different colors when it explodes. Multi-break shells usually consist of a small compartment of black powder, three or four colored breaks, and a salute. Some large shells contain as many as 10 breaks, and at least one gigantic shell has been made holding 22 breaks. The shell is assembled by stacking the components together, attaching a starting fuse (a long, fast-burning fuse used to ignite the black powder that launches the firework), wrapping them in heavy paper, and tying the package together with string. The completed firework is then labeled and stored until needed.

Making small fireworks

8 Small fireworks, intended for private use, are made in much the same way as large ones, but they are generally simpler in construction and contain much less explosive. Small fireworks include firecrackers (paper tubes holding a small amount of explosive), fountains (paper cones filled with chemicals which release colored sparks), and Roman candles (long paper tubes filled with a small amount of explosive and several small stars which shoot out one at a time). Some small fireworks contain no explosive at all and may be as simple as a single chemical wrapped in paper or foil. Examples include smoke balls (filled with a chemical that releases colored smoke) and snakes (filled with ammonium dichromate, which slowly burns and produces a long trail of ash). Sparklers are made by dipping a metal wire in a slurry containing a fuel, an oxidizer, a coloring agent, and aluminum granules, which provide the sparks.

Launching the fireworks

9 Professional fireworks are usually launched by the same companies who make them. If a set piece (a ground-based display that forms a picture or words with colored flares called lances) is to be used, the design to be formed is sketched on graph paper and sent to carpenters who build a wooden frame with thin wooden slats in the shape of the design. If music will accompany the fireworks, the timing of the display is planned to match the tempo of the music.
10 Several hours before the show begins (or a few days in advance, for a very large show), the crew arrives with all the necessary equipment, including fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Mortars to launch the shells are placed in their proper places. Large ones are placed in holes dug in the ground or in steel drums filled with sand. Smaller mortars are placed in wooden racks. The proper shell for each mortar is loaded in place. The frames for set pieces are assembled, lances are attached to the slats, and fuses are attached to the lances. When the display begins, the lances and mortars are lit at the proper times, either with long hand-held flares or with electrical wires attached to a central switchboard. After the show, the crew safely destroys any unexploded duds.

Quality Control

The most important quality control factor in making fireworks is safety. Firework factories are protected from intruders by chain-link fences, barbed wire, locked gates, steel doors, and tamper-proof locks. Within these factories, numerous precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

Electricity is the greatest danger. A single small spark can set off a roomful of explosives. All electrical outlets are located out-side the building. To avoid generating static electricity, all workers must wear 100% cotton clothing. They touch a copper plate before they enter a building to remove any static electricity they may be carrying. Elastic straps with wires trailing to the graphite floor are worn around the worker's calves, to drain static electricity away to grounding rods buried beneath the building. All work is halted and all workers leave the building if there is any possibility of an electrical storm approaching.

Many other safety measures are used. All work is done by hand, to avoid machines that could produce heat or sparks. In the winter, buildings are heated with hot water rather than hot air, which could cause an explosion. The buildings are small, so no one is more than one or two steps away from an exit. All exits have doors that open wide at the slightest touch. Explosive chemicals are never mixed when wet, because when they dry out they may release gases that could ignite them.

Where To Learn More

Books

Brenner, Martha. Fireworks Tonight! Hastings House, 1986.

Plimpton, George. Fireworks. Doubleday, 1984.

Periodicals

Begley, Sharon. "Up in the Sky! It's…Hearts! Stars! Bow Ties!" Newsweek, July 9, 1990, p. 60.

Conkling, John A. "Pyrotechnics." Scientific American, July 1990, pp. 96-102.

Kozlou, Alex. "First Family of Fireworks." Discover, July 1990, pp. 40-45.

—Rose Secrest

How Crackers are Made...

2008-10-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

Background

A firework is a device that uses combustion or explosion to produce a visual or auditory effect. Modern pyrotechnics also includes devices similar to fireworks, such as flares, matches, and even solid-fuel rocket boosters used in spaceflight.

The earliest ancestors of fireworks were paper or bamboo tubes filled with finely grourid charcoal and sulfur used in China two thousand years ago. These tubes produced a flash of fire and smoke when ignited, but no explosion. True fireworks did not exist until saltpeter was added to the mixture to create black powder, the first chemical explosive, one thousand years later. Black powder was probably first made in China, but some scholars suggest that it may have been invented by the Arabs.

The Chinese used black powder for fire-works, signals, and weapons such as bombs and rockets. Black powder was introduced to Europe in the 14th century as an explosive for both fireworks and guns. It was applied to mining and roadbuilding projects by the late 17th century. Black powder was used for gunpowder until it was replaced by nitrocellulose in the late 19th century, and (for industrial purposes) by dynamite in the early 20th century, but it is still used in fire-works today.

Fireworks in China evolved from simple firecrackers to the extravagant displays witnessed by European explorers in the 16th century. In Europe, fireworks began with military explosives adapted for use in celebrating victories and progressed to the elaborate productions designed by Italian pyrotechnists in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. (Even today, most of the large fire-work companies in the United States are run by Italian-American families.) These Italian fireworks were usually shown on lavishly decorated wooden sets, often floating on bodies of water, both for safety and to reflect the beautiful displays. On the other hand, German fireworks of the time were usually shot into the air, much like today's fireworks.

Although the firework displays of the Italian masters were extremely complex and impressive works of art, the technology of the time limited their color and brightness. During the 19th century, the introduction of aluminum and magnesium greatly increased the brightness, while the development of potassium chlorate by the French chemist Claude-Louis Berthollet (who was trying to improve the gunpowder used by Napoleon's troops) made it possible to produce more intense colors.

Fireworks came to the New World with the earliest settlers, and have been used to celebrate Independence Day, July 4, since the earliest days of the United States. During the early 20th century these fireworks became bigger, more powerful, and dangerous. Between 1900 and 1930 more than 4,000 people were killed by fireworks. Federal and state governments began regulating the use of fireworks in the 1930s. Explosives are classified as Class A (dangerous substances such as dynamite and TNT), Class B (fireworks used for professional displays) and Class C (smaller fireworks intended for private use.) Class C fireworks must not contain more than 50 milligrams of explosive. Some states allow all Class C

fireworks, some allow only "Safe and Sane" fireworks (Class C fireworks that do not move or leave the ground), and some states or counties and cities ban the private use of all fireworks. Some very dangerous fireworks, such as cherry bombs, M-80s, and silver salutes, are banned in all states, but continue to be made and sold illegally. Most firework deaths and injuries in the United States today are caused by these illegal devices.

While the private use of fireworks is heavily restricted, public displays have become more and more elaborate. Computers are used to time fireworks precisely, so they can be choreographed in time to music. Lasers are sometimes used to produce unique visual effects. Today fireworks are made and displayed around the world, particularly in Europe, Latin America, the United States, and Japan.

Raw Materials

A modern firework consists of a shell of plastic, papier-mache, or heavy paper surrounding compartments separated by cardboard. A small compartment at the base of the shell contains black powder to propel the firework into the sky from a mortar made of iron, aluminum, plastic, or heavy cardboard. A larger compartment contains chunks of a mixture of chemicals that produce light and color when heated. These chunks are known as stars. In American and European fireworks the stars are mixed with black powder inside a cylindrical compartment. The black powder explodes to ignite the stars and scatter them across the sky. In Asian fireworks the stars surround the black powder in a spherical compartment to produce a more symmetrical display. Instead of black powder and stars a compartment may contain flash powder, which produces a sudden bright light and loud bang. The various compartments in a firework are attached to fuses made of threads mixed with grains of gunpowder.

Black powder consists of a mixture of salt-peter (potassium nitrate), charcoal, and sulfur in a 75 to 15 to 10 ratio by weight. Flash powder consists of a mixture of potassium chlorate or potassium perchlorate, sulfur, and aluminum. Stars consist of a fuel that burns to provide heat, a coloring agent that provides color when heated, and an oxidizer to burn the fuel. Fuels may be slow-burning such as charcoal, dextrin (derived from corn starch), or red gum (a tree secretion) to produce a dim, long-lasting display, or fast-burning, such as aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, to produce a bright, short-lasting display. Sugar may be used as a fuel to produce smoke. Coloring agents include aluminum, magnesium, or titanium (white), carbon or iron (orange), sodium compounds (yellow), copper compounds (blue), strontium carbonate (red), and barium nitrate or barium chlorate (green). Oxidizers are highly reactive oxygen-containing compounds such as potassium perchlorate or ammonium perchlorate. They also contain chlorine, which reacts with the copper, strontium, and barium compounds in the

coloring agents to produce the unstable chlorides of these elements which actually provide the color.

List of Fire Crackers Factories in Sivakasi

2008-10-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Agencies

Whole-Sale Dealers of Standard Fireworks, a high quality fancy fireworks and crackers

www.pioneer.sivakasionline.com

Shree Crackers

Shree Crackers is the whole sale dealer of Anil Fireworks, a well known name in fireworks. We have our fireworks sales depot in Chennai and Sivakasi.
Mr. S.Bhaskar
P.J.General Agencies, 230, R.K. Mutt Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004
Head Office : 2P-1A, P.K.N.Road,
Sivakasi - 600 004
Mobile :+91 9443139339
Phone :+91 4562 274589
Website :www.shreecrackers.sivakasionline.com

Ajantha Fireworks Industries

Anil Fireworks Factory

Ariyas Fireworks

Arya Fireworks

Ashok Sparklers Factory

Ayyan Fireworks Factory Pvt. Ltd.

Baby Fireworks Industries

Balaji Sound Caps

Bell Pyrotechnics Pvt. Ltd.

Brindavan Caps Works

Champion Amorces Industries

Chidambaram Fireworks Industry

Dan Fireworks Industry

Dass Fireworks

Deepalakshmi Fireworks

Dharmaraj Amorces Industries

Durga Fireworks

Fancy Fireworks

Gnanavel Fireworks Factory

Gopal Fireworks Industry

Graham Cap Works

Indian Fireworks Industries

Indian National Fireworks

Jai Manoj Fireworks Industries

Jayakannan Fireworks

Jayarathinam Fireworks Industries

Kala Fireworks Industries

Kani Fireworks

King Fireworks Company

Kuil Fireworks Industries

Kumar Fireworks

Lakshmi Cap Works

Lima Fireworks

Lord Pyrotechnics

Micro Fireworks

Muthu Fireworks Industries

Muthurajan (firm) Serpants Factory

Nayagi Fireworks

New Gorose Sparkles Factory

Noble Vairam Fireworks

Pandian Cap Works

Pioneer Agencies

Pooja Fireworks

Rajarathinam Fireworks Industries

Rajavel Fireworks Factory

Rajendran G. Fireworks

Rajkumar Fireworks Industries

Raju Sparklers

Ramakrishna Fireworks Industries

Ramco Fireworks

Ramesh Sparklers Factory

Ramji Amorces

Ramji Pyrotechnics

Ramsons Fireworks

Rathika Amorces Industries

Rathika Fireworks Factory

Rathinam P.P.K.Fireworks

Revathi Fireworks

Roopan Caps Industries

Royal Fireworks Industries Firm

Santha Fireworks

Sapna Fireworks

Sarojini Fireworks

Satheis Fireworks Industries

Seetha Fireworks Industries

Selvi Cap Works

Selvi Fireworks Industries

Sevan Hills Fireworks

Shree Crackers

Silver Fireworks Factory

Skylark Fireworks

Sony Fireworks Pvt. Ltd.

Sree balaji Fireworks Factory

Sri Arumugam Fireworks

Sri Ashok Fireworks Industries

Sri Balaji Fireworks Factory

Sri Chima Fireworks Factory

Sri Coronation Fireworks

Sri Ganapathy Fireworks Factory

Sri Ganesh Fireworks

Sri Ganesh Kumar Fireworks Industries

Sri Ganga Fireworks

Sri Harikrishna Fireworks Pvt. Ltd.

Sri Harish Pyrotechs

Sri Harish Pyrotecs

Sri Kaliswari Fireworks

Sri Krishna Fireworks Industries

Sri Lakshmi Shankar Fireworks Ltd.

Sri Maheswari Fireworks Industries

Sri Manonmani Fireworks Industries

Sri Meenambal Fireworks

Sri Meenambal Fireworks Industries

Sri Murugan Fireworks Industries

Sri Palaniappa Fireworks Factory

Sri Parasakthi Fireworks

Sri Pathrakali Fireworks

Sri Rajeswari Fireworks

Sri Ram Fireworks

Sri Ramji Fireworks

Sri Renga Fireworks

Sri Sathyasayee Baba Fireworks Industries

Sri Thangamani Fireworks Factory

Sri Vari Fireworks

Sri Vijay Fireworks

Srinivas Fireworks

Srinivas Sound Caps

Srinivasa Fireworks Industries

Standard Fireworks Ltd

Sun Fireworks Industries

Sundaravel Fireworks Ltd.

Supreme Fireworks Factory

Tamil Nadu Fireworks & Amorces Manufacturers Association

Tass Fireworks Industries

The Arasan Fireworks Industries

The Aruna Fireworks Industries

The Aruna Power Caps Industries

The Classic Fireworks Industries

The Coronation Fireworks Factory

The Golden Fireworks Industries

The Hindustan Fireworks Industries

The Kanara Fireworks Industries

The King Amorces Industries

The Maharaj Fireworks Industries

The Modern Amorces Industries

The National Paper Caps Factory

The Rajan Amorces Industries

The Rajan Fireworks Factory

The Rathina Fireworks Industries

The Rathina Paper Caps Industries

The Ravindra Fireworks

The Saraswathy Fireworks Industries & Vanitha Fire Works Industries

V.P.S.Fireworks

V.P.S.Sparklers Factory

Vadivel Fireworks

Vadivel Fireworks Industries

Velavan Fireworks

Victoria Fireworks

Vijay Pyrotechnic Factory

Vijaya Fireworks Industries

Vimal Fireworks

Vinayaga Fireworks Industries

Vinayagar Fireworks Factory

Vishnupriya Fire Makers Pvt. Ltd.

We Two Fireworks Industries

Yuvraj Fireworks Industries

Fire Crackers Culture

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Culture

Firecrackers are commonly used in celebration of holidays or festivals, such as Shab-e-Barat In Pakistan, Halloween, Independence Day in the United States of America, Diwali in India, Hari Raya in Malaysia, and especially the celebration of Chinese New Year by Chinese communities around the world and Spanish Fallas. Firecrackers are also used by the Vietnamese during their Tết festival especially at midnight Giao Thừa (New Year's Eve).

Illegal firecrackers:

Firecrackers, as well as other types of explosives, in United States are subject to various laws, depending on location. Firecrackers themselves are not considered illegal contraband material. It is the sale, possession, and use of firecrackers that are subject to laws. Some states or local governments require a permit to legally sell, possess, or use firecrackers; sometimes with different permits for different actions, e.g., a permit required to sell, with a separate permit required to use.

Prior to December 6, 1976, the legal limit in the United States for firecrackers was a maximum of 2 grains of blackpowder (130 mg); after this date, the legal limit in the United States was reduced to 50 mg (0.77 grains) of flash powder.

Virtually all firecrackers are scientifically classed as "low explosives" which burn through deflagration, as opposed to "high explosives" such as dynamite and ANFO which actually produce a supersonic detonation wave. Some legal definitions nevertheless define banned firecrackers (such as the M-80 in the United States) as "Class B Explosives" which requires their storage in an explosives magazine and an ATF high explosives license for their manufacture.^[2]

The legal status of firecrackers typically stems from their notable effect on noise pollution as well as the issue of their safety, especially when used by children. Devices which are designed to explode at ground level are seen as more dangerous than those with a prolonged burn time and/or an aerial explosion. Proponents of firecracker sales sometimes question the consistency of these laws, pointing out that legal fireworks can also be dangerous due to the risk of high-temperature burns (as in the case of sparklers), and that projectile fireworks intended for aerial use can often legally incorporate a noise making explosive device as a last stage.

In Malaysia, playing with firecrackers is now illegal as stated from Malaysian Explosive Act which was revised in 1991 as a result of the increasing injuries among children (especiallyMalay) during Hari Raya festive season. Ironically, the injury cases caused by playing firecrackers continue to increase every year since Malay children turned to home-made firecrackers such as bamboo cannons as alternatives to commercial fireworks.

In the Republic of Ireland, firecrackers (commonly called "bangers") are illegal, but they are easily smuggled across the border with Northern Ireland in the weeks leading up to Hallowe'en.

In Sweden, firecrackers became completely illegal December 1st, 2000.

In Singapore, a partial ban on firecrackers was imposed in March 1970 after a fire killed six people and injured 68.^[3] This was extended to a total ban in August 1972, after an explosion that killed two people^[4] and an attack on two police officers attempting to stop a group from letting off firecrackers in February 1972.^[5] However, in 2003, the government allowed firecrackers to be set off during the festive season. At the Chinese New Year light-up in Chinatown, at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the Lunar New Year, firecrackers are set off under controlled conditions by the Singapore Tourism Board. Other occasions where firecrackers are allowed to be set off are determined by the tourism board or other government organizations. However, they are not allowed to be commercially sold.

Some firecrackers are legal but restrictions are in place regarding the amount of powder they contain. Some examples are: Wolf Pack FireCrackers, Black Cat FireCrackers, China Town FireCrackers, Hydro FireCrackers, and the Wolf Pack Cannon Ball FireCrackers.

Deepavali

2008-10-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

Deepavali, or Diwali, (Markiscarali) is a major Indian festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. [3] Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being .

The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.
According to one theory Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest.[4] The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali. Southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. In western India it is also in honor of the day King Bali went to rule the nether-world by the order of Vishnu. (There is another festival 'Onam' which is celebrated in Kerala around the month of August to mark this legend)
Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November.

In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 BCE. The Sikhs celebrate Diwali for a different reason; on this day, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment along with 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) whom he had arranged to be released as well. after his release he went to Darbar Sahib (golden temple) in the holy city of Amritsar. There, he was greeted by Sikhs and many other people. In happiness they lit candles and diyas to greet the Guru. In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith

Crackers

2008-10-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Crackers hold a fascination for both young and old alike. Despite a growing anti-cracker campaign, there is no dip in its popularity. When the rocket flies high and burst opens into an umbrella of colourful embers, people from the ground watch this spectacular in awe, the beauty raining down towards them. The children quickly light up a fire wheel which dances on the floor, just as a couple of noisy bombs go off in the background. Every year Diwali arrive in all its sound and sparkle.

Each year on the dark night of Diwali, Crackers of varied colors and sounds fill the skies heralding India's favourite festival. Diwali or Deepavali in Sanskrit means "a row of lamps" and fireworks have become a major part of Diwali celebrations. They form a big part of the Diwali budget in households.

Firecrackers come in different varieties from the delightfully visual ones to the ear deafening noisy ones. Tradition says that the illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. Another possible reason and a more scientific one for lighting firecrackers is that the fumes produced by them kill insects and mosquitoes found aplenty after the rains.

The standard varieties of firecrackers include the mild flower pots, the electric crackers, the popular ground wheel (commonly called as charka), the high flying rockets, the favourite sparklers and of course the explosive and ear deafening bombs. The colourful twin angles, a new entrant in the cracker market has caught the fancy of many customers. A combination of all the above makes an exclusive festive package which delights young and old alike.

Diwali symbolising the triumph of the good over evil continues to be grandiose in spirit and celebrated throughout the country. Firecrackers add to the festivities and as the rows of lamps glow one can hear the crackers go off and see the sparklers being waved by children and adults alike.