by Athirah Sofea

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a universally observed festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains worldwide. Its name, derived from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali,” meaning “row of lights,” encapsulates the essence of this vibrant celebration. Hindus hold this festival close to their hearts, observing age-old customs in the comfort of their homes. When I think about Deepavali, I think of the vibrant colours, dazzling fireworks, and the aroma of spice-infused cuisine.  

Like other significant celebrations, Deepavali brings families together, as seen in the heartwarming story of Priyatharishiny Rajendran, an Account Executive at YTL Corporation and Shanmugam Palani, a YTL Scholar who previously interned at YTL Power. When asked what Deepavali means to them, both Priya and Shanmugam shared a similar sentiment. For both, Deepavali is all about spending precious moments with family and relatives. 

For Priya, Deepavali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and is one of the most significant festivals of the year. She begins her Deepavali preparations well in advance. Cleaning the house is a must, and shopping is an essential part of the tradition. The shopping list includes not only items for the house but also outfits for the family. 

One of the unique rituals she follows on Deepavali eve is the prayer for ancestors and deceased family members. Followed by another ritual on the festival day, like any Indian household would do, parents will apply gingelly oil (Indian sesame oil) and shikakai powder (a plant-based powder) on their children’s heads, symbolizing the cleansing of the body and soul. This is followed by prayers with the morning sun at home. 

After the morning prayers, Priya and her family heads to the temple for blessings. Then, they visit her grandmother’s house which is not too far from her place, where blessings are received by touching her grandmother’s feet. 

The start of the day would not be complete without a hearty breakfast that includes tosai, idli, chicken curry, and lamb curry. And of course, one can’t forget the festive snacks – cookies, murukku, achu murukku, sweets, and cakes – all prepared with love by her family. The preparations for these delightful treats start way before the festival. 

The true essence of Deepavali, for Priya, is the quality time spent with family. It’s a time when cousins, uncles, and aunties come together, allowing them to break free from their busy schedules. The celebration extends to open house visits on the following day. 

Working in a multicultural environment like YTL has added an extra layer of richness to Priya’s Deepavali celebration. She mentioned that she has experienced a sense of unity during this festive season with her boss gifting cookies to those celebrating Deepavali and receiving Deepavali greetings from her fellow colleagues. Once she is back from her Deepavali celebration, she would bring the delights of Deepavali like murukku and cookies to the office, sharing a taste of her cherished traditions with her colleagues. This creates a sense of cultural exchange and unity within the YTL family. 

Shanmugam, on the other hand, sees Deepavali as a call to spread light, joy, and positivity in the world, inspiring him to do the same in his life. His personal Deepavali celebration is all about spending every minute with family and relatives. Shanmugan also shared that his family welcomes their friends with warm hospitality. 

One distinct tradition his family follows is decorating their car porch with a picture of Lord Krishna, which serves as a beautiful way of infusing their celebrations with spiritual significance. Their Deepavali celebrations begin with prayers and offerings to God as well as their ancestors. Once they are done with the prayers, Shanmugam and his siblings seek blessings from the elders, and in return, they receive new clothes as a form of blessing. The rest of the day is then spent with family and friends. Conveniently, both his parents share the same hometown. Instead of being on the road to travel from one place to another, this allows them to have more time with their family. 

When it comes to food, Shanmugam can’t resist indulging in his mom’s homemade pineapple tarts and Murukku, both of which are an integral part of the festival. These delicious treats, including other cookies, are prepared two weeks before the festival. And one thing that makes this more enjoyable is that they always end up in fun family arguments during the preparation. 

But what Shanmugam looks forward to the most during Deepavali is spreading happiness. It’s not just about his own happiness but it’s about making others happy and enhancing the overall festive experience. This, he believes, is what truly makes a festival special. 

In the tapestry of Deepavali, we find the intertwined stories of Priya and Shanmugam, two unique perspectives on Deepavali highlight the cultural richness and the joy it brings to the lives of individuals. For Priya, Deepavali signifies blending tradition and togetherness in the loving embrace of family. In contrast, Shanmugam sees Deepavali as an opportunity to spread joy and positivity. What unites their unique perspectives is the profound importance of family and the sharing of cultural traditions, fostering a strong sense of unity and celebration that defines Deepavali. With that, we would like to wish a Happy Deepavali to those celebrating and hope you had a joyous celebration with your loved ones.