According to the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, there are approximately 150,000 expatriates and workers from India in Malaysia. What do Deepavali celebrations look like for those who are thousands of kilometres away from home?
Dr Muthu Annamalai has been in Malaysia for the past decade. A dentist who hails from Coimbatore in the state of Tamil Nadu, she migrated here after marrying a local citizen.
“I was surprised to find there is a lot more that goes into preparing for Deepavali here,” she tells FMT. “Preparation can start two weeks before, and this can include repainting the house and buying new curtains.
“I have grown used to it and I am happy to celebrate here. My children get very excited about the days leading up to Deepavali – baking cookies and making the ‘rangoli’,” she says, referring to the Indian art form of creating patterns on the floor, typically using rice flour or coloured rice.
“Even the ‘rangoli’ is more colourful in Malaysia. Perhaps they are a fusion of different Indian cultures, which has led to the creation of something unique in itself,” she muses, explaining that in South India, the traditional “maa kolam” is white.
“Back in India, Diwali was all about going to the temple for prayers, wearing new clothes, enjoying biryani and sweets, visiting relatives, and watching firecrackers,” she shares.
“Something I miss about celebrating in India is sitting on the balcony with my family after dinner, watching the beautiful fireworks and talking for a couple of hours. We always ended the day watching a new Tamil movie with the extended family.”
A quieter celebration
For Theakshnamurthy Cheiyan, or Murthy, who hails from Tamil Nadu, celebrations in Malaysia are a little quieter and “on the simpler side”.
Murthy has been in Malaysia for over 20 years and works at a food court in Klang. He usually spends Deepavali at home.
“I work from morning to night here, so I just want to rest on Deepavali as I am tired from work,” he tells FMT.
“Some years I will make murukku but if I don’t have the time, I usually just buy some. But I will cook some Deepavali dishes such as mutton curry and biryani.
“I will also video call my family back home. I haven’t gone back to India for six years, but I hope to soon.”
The 48-year-old adds that while he misses home, he is happy in Malaysia.
“Diwali celebrations in India are a grand affair and shops are usually closed. Fireworks are also a must,” he says.
“Back in India, I would start the day with an oil bath and wear new clothes before praying. I usually cook dishes such as thosai, idli, mutton curry, and murukku, of course,” he recalls, adding that he always looked forward to having his relatives over to share the feast.
“Deepavali is also special because on that day, the poor in the community would visit my house and I would give them good food, money and clothes.”
A day of rest
For S Kodiyarasi, Malaysia has been her home for the last seven years. She, too, spends the day resting.
“I don’t go anywhere on Deepavali, but I do start the day with prayers at home. Then I will video call my family back home,” says the 49-year-old, who also works at a food court in Klang.
Recalling celebrations in Tamil Nadu, she says, “I usually start the day with a traditional oil bath and wear brand-new clothes. At around seven or eight in the morning, I will pray with my family.
“We usually have mutton curry, thosai and biryani,” she says fondly, adding that her house would be stocked with Indian sweets – “ladoo”, made from flour, shortening and sugar; “adhirasam”, a deep-fried treat made with rice flour and jaggery; and “nei urundai”, or ghee balls.
“Then we would visit our relatives’ houses in the evening with some of the sweets we made. We make them only once a year, so we want to share them with others.”
She says visitations can go on for four to five days, and that she misses her family. “I hope to go back to India next year to see them,” she adds.