by Athirah Sofea
The Festival of Lights in India
Source: Wordzz
The Festival of Lights, better known as Deepavali is celebrated by millions of people across the globe. It is one of the biggest and most significant holidays in India. Over the years, Deepavali has become a national festival that’s also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities.
Six years ago, Sami Attaullah, was offered the opportunity to build his career in Malaysia. That was when he left his home in Chennai, known as The Gateway of South India to move to Kuala Lumpur to start his new job. Six years has past and he is now working as a Project Manager in YTL Digital Design.
The sky is lit at night as firecrackers are burnt
Source: Pinterest
By now, Sami has gotten used to celebrating Deepavali here in Malaysia. When asked how it is like celebrating Deepavali here, he said, “the intensity is definitely different than what I experience back home”.
“As you know Deepavali is known as the Festival of Lights, the sky will be lit at night as firecrackers are burnt throughout the week of Deepavali.” he added. The holiday’s celebration involves a lot of lights, including tea lights, sparklers and of course, more fireworks. Both streets and houses are brightly lit as a representation of the light that protects from spiritual darkness. Houses are decorated with tea lights and Rangolis, an art form using coloured sand and flowers which is usually placed near the entrance of the home. Over here in Malaysia, this colourful art form is more commonly known as “Kolam”.
The making of Rangolis or Kolam
Source: Business Upturn
Sami admitted that celebrating away from his family and friends has been different, “but I always consider myself lucky to have friends here who are able to make it feel like home,”
He added, “every Deepavali I look forward to having Deepavali dishes, be it at home (India) or here at my friend’s house in Malaysia.” Sami mentioned that there is a difference in terms of food, where he feels the food back home is cooked more traditionally compared to the dishes here, which are catered to suit the Malaysian tastebud. Back in India, his favourite dishes would be crab curry, the authentic fish curry and mutton varuval.
Sweets served during Deepavali
Source : Kohinoor
Other traditions include sharing sweets. Sami talked about one of the highlights of Deepavali being the sweets, whereby it is customary to exchange sweets when visiting houses. Among the favourites are Kesari, Jalebi, Gulab Jamun, Palkova, Kaju Katli and Laddu.
Sami in the morning of Deepavali
“Those who are celebrating Deepavali will make it a point to visit their relatives and have feasts. The tradition includes getting up early and dressing up in new clothes. Hindu families will visit temples to offer their prayers and be home in time for lunch with their family and later on visit relatives, friends and even neighbours for dinner,” he explained.
What makes Deepavali in Malaysia special for Sami is that he is able to see the celebration from another perspective whereby the holiday sees a mix of cultures and is celebrated by not just the Indians but the whole nation. Here, you get to see the coming together of various races gathering in an Indian home to be part of the celebration, connecting everyone together. To him, the celebration is vibrant, lively and definitely full of joy especially when celebrated with the people he considers as his family away from home.
