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(Oil lamp drawing by Arunachala Grace, PowerPoint Clip Art)
Deepavali or Diwali will be celebrated by Hindus all over the world on 12 November 2023. The festival has its origins in India where in the north, it hails King Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya after defeating his nemesis, Ravana. While in southern India, it celebrates Lord Krishna's defeat of the demon Narakasura. There are associations with many other deities and observations by various faiths but as a whole, it symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
Hindus mark five days of celebration with special prayers and rituals, and brighten up their homes by lighting rows of oil lamps, hence its name, the festival of lights. In Malaysia, with around 10 percent of its population being Indians and predominantly Hindus, we enjoy a one-day public holiday. Its celebrated by all who visit their Hindu friends to join in the festivities.
Many Hindus also have beautiful 'kolams' set out on the floor of their homes. These are motifs of varying intricacy, detailed with plain chalk or colourfully dyed grains. Some homes practise kolam drawing daily for its auspicious significance. On Diwali, I've seen kolams framed by oil lamps and they are truly lovely to behold.
This Diwali, let us all put our hearts and prayers together for the victory of light over darkness yet again.
Note: Thank you to those who have written to let me know you enjoy reading my column but daren't take a lesson because there are parts you don't really understand. I assure you we'll always speak at a level which suits you so that we can enjoy a casual conversation. Also, we can go through words and sentences that are difficult so that we learn together. Perhaps, they will be easy then and we'll always have something to talk about. No stress!
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