Sample fireworks with less sound

Thrissur: The sample fireworks of Thrissur Pooram held at the Thekkinkkad Maidanam on Saturday evening was noted for its selection of colours and less sound and smoke.

The firework buffs who witnessed it said that it was more colourful but tellingly low on decibels.

As compared to the previous fireworks displays held as part of Thrissur Pooram barium nitrate which could create different colors in firework displays but gives out toxic fumes was fully banned by Petroleum And Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and the organization had stringently asked the two devaswoms Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi to stick on the dimensions of 'gundu' and 'kuzhimini' as instructed.

"As there was lack of barium nitrate in the chemicals used in the fireworks display, there were only three colours red, white and yellow. Colours like green, violet and blue were not seen in the display as it is created by mixing barium with other chemicals. The sound and smoke was also less compared to previous years," anti-fireworks activist V K Venkitachalam said.

The fireworks scheduled to be begin at 7 p.m. by Thirvumbadi started at 7.45 p.m. after detailed inspection PESO and officials of district administration. For Paramekkavu, which conducted the display later, there was similar delay, he noted.

"As three smoke detecting machines were installed at different places on the firework display site, the smoke was also very less and there was no paper debris seen in the air in and around the maidanam after the display as in the previous years. The ban on barium has really helped in reducing the smoke," Mr Venkitahcalam claimed.

G Rajesh, the secretary of Paramekkavu Devaswom said that small firework items called 'ball' amittu were used in plenty during the sample fireworks.

"Both the sides gave a good display and it was more colourful," he noted.