The art of gifting Malli for Deepavali

It’s in the fragrance

Secret Alchemist has come up with the Madurai Jasmine Clear Perfume, a soft yet long-lasting scent. The scent opens with orange blossom, blooms into Indian jasmine, and settles into Madagascar vanilla. The perfume is part of their special line called The Alchemy Discovery, which focuses on healing through scent. It’s also been listed as one of actress Samantha’s favourites.

Actor Samantha
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Madurai Jasmine Clear Perfume stands out as a fragrant tribute to tradition and innovation. Known for its quiet power and subtle grace, Malli — the iconic jasmine of Tamil Nadu — is now bottled for every jasmine lover’s pocket as a piece of Madurai itself.

The Alchemy Discovery set has three perfumes in 10 ml vials. The set includes Madurai Jasmine, Rose Oud and Bergamot Nostalgia. These easy-to-carry fragrances made with pure essential oils are a good gifting option for the festive season.

Visit secretalchemist.com

Flowers on my hair

Nothing compares to the joy of wearing a thick strand of malli in your hair — but fresh flowers aren’t easy to manage. This is where Bunch of Petals steps in. Their jasmine-inspired hair accessories offer the same satisfying look and feel, without the worry of wilting petals or weather damage. Started in 2018 as a kids’ hair accessory brand, they have grown into a trusted name in floral styling.

“It was during my maternity break that I started learning flower-making from Russian artistes,” shares Ramya, the founder. “With just ₹2000, we began by making floral headbands for kids to go with ethnic outfits. The set includes multiple variants to suit different hair needs — U pins, centre pins, bands, ties, alligator clips, claw clips, and even bobby pins. Whether it is for a festive braid, a sleek bun, or a playful half-up style, there is malli for every look. With imported Iranian foam, the floral accessories are waterproof, colour-proof, and have a shelf life of three to four years.

They also offer floral accessories in roses, marigolds, daffodils, and chrysanthemums. Prices range from ₹150 to ₹1,200.

Visit bunchofpetals.in

Lit up

Hailing from Thoothukudi, Keerthika, the founder of Agal Candles, set out to create a collection of scented candles that resemble food and signature South Indian platters. Once a web developer, she began her candle-making journey during the lockdown, learning from Korean and Japanese tutorials. “They often replicate their traditional dishes in candle form,” she shares. “So I thought, why not try the same with our food.” Her creations are not just eco-friendly and aromatic, but also tributes to everyday comfort and cultural pride. “From biryani, flower bouquets, fried rice, to even a full meal platter. Anything and everything can be lit.”

With a growing community of customers in Madurai, Agal Candles introduced the malli hamper as a thank-you gesture this Deepavali. “When I wanted to create something that truly represents Madurai, jasmine was the obvious choice,” she shares. “But it wasn’t easy — I spent nearly six months trying to perfect the mould for my candles. After countless trials and errors, I finally got it right.”

The festive collection also includes new themed kits like the Sandalwood (Mahilam), Crackers, Sweet Box, and Lotus Pond hamper.

Agal’s Deepavali hampers goes beyond candles — it can include wardrobe fresheners, jar candles, diyas, car diffusers, and more. Rather than offering stock-ready kits, the brand believes in curating personalised hampers tailored to each customer’s preferences.

On Instagram @agal_candles