Brickfields Deepavali traders turn to TikTok as shoppers shun relocated bazaar

A man arranges hanging decorations at a stall selling colourful flower garlands and festive items ahead of Deepavali celebrations, October 22, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

By Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan

First Published: Thursday, 05 Nov 2026 7:00 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — After weeks of sluggish sales, Deepavali bazaar traders in Brickfields are making a final push on TikTok to drive last-minute sales ahead of the festival on Sunday.

Unlike previous years, the stalls are no longer scattered along the main roads of Brickfields.

This year, they have been moved off the main road to ease traffic congestion.

The shops are now housed under sturdy marquee tents at the Kompleks Tun Sambanthan car park, sheltering them and their goods from strong winds and torrential rain.

Yet many here long for their old spots, where they say business was far better.

Gunaseelan Subramaniam, a clothing vendor who has traded at the Brickfields Deepavali bazaar for 25 years, said his old spot drew a stronger crowd during breakfast and lunch hours on working days.

Gunaseelan Subramaniam, a clothing vendor at the Deepavali bazaar in Brickfields said he hardly made RM1,000 during his last weekend sale. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

“The footfall was better there on the main road. A lot of tourists visited my shop in the previous years and in fact, I had a strong crowd of Malay customers.

“This year, people barely knew the bazaar exists here,” he told Malay Mail when met at his stall recently.

“Our best sales are usually on the last weekend before Deepavali, but I hardly earned even RM1,000 over the three days last week.”

Desperate to boost sales, Gunaseelan went live on TikTok to promote the bazaar and appeal for public support.

“I had some customers who said they used to walk past this area but didn’t know the bazaar was operating here until the TikTok videos went viral.

“It’s the only thing keeping us afloat for now,” he said.

Having traded here since 2022, Sunita Gill from Ipoh said she may not return to the Brickfields Deepavali bazaar next year unless traders are relocated to their old spots. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Viswalingam Karuppiah, 61, who sells traditional wear sourced directly from India, said shoppers were reluctant to bring their children to the bazaar due to the sweltering heat inside the tents.

Only a few air coolers were installed along the bazaar corridors, which he said was insufficient to keep the area cool.

“We are thankful to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for lowering the rent to just RM400 per lot and giving us sturdy tents.

“But people come to the bazaar for clothes because they want to feel the material and try it on before buying.

“Nobody wants to stay here too long because it is so hot, even at night,” he said.

Like Gunaseelan, Viswalingam has also turned to TikTok to attract customers as he races against time to recover his capital.

Viswalingam Karuppiah, 61, said fewer families come to the bazaar to shop due to the sweltering heat inside the tents. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Meanwhile, trader Sunita Gill from Ipoh has seen her hopes dashed as her kurtis and lenghas have struggled to leave the racks since the bazaar opened a month ago.

Sunita, a full-time homemaker, had hoped to repeat the strong sales she recorded at last year’s bazaar.

“At my old spot opposite the RHB Bank, I could easily sell two to three dresses during lunch hour alone. But this year, I have hardly made 10 per cent of what I earned last year,” she said.

Having traded here since 2022, Sunita said she will most likely not return to the Brickfields Deepavali bazaar next year unless traders are relocated to their old spots.

“I’d rather take another location. I won’t be here because business here is very bad.”