Deepavali Celebration

NAME: FONG KHAI LYNN
LEVEL: UFCE  

Being a unique and multi-cultural country, countless festivals highlighting Malaysia’s diverse ethnicities, religions, and races are celebrated each year. One particular time of the year stands out. When the streets are filled with vibrant colours and the air is rich with the aroma of spices — it is none other than Deepavali. 

Deepavali, also known as the Hindu Festival of Lights, symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The date of Deepavali changes every year according to the Hindu calendar, but no matter where or when it is celebrated, it never fails to be festive and full of joy. 

When magenta replaces muted brown, parakeet green drapes over ivory, and saffron substitutes grey, you know the country is getting into the Deepavali spirit. There is never a dull moment during this celebration, as upbeat traditional music, colourful decorations, and cheerful laughter fill every corner. 

And then there’s the food! Your taste buds will be delighted by the bold and rich flavours of Indian cuisine. From crispy snacks like murukku and samosa to aromatic curries, every dish is bursting with unique spices and textures that reflect the heart of Indian culture. 

Beyond the vibrant festivities and mouth-watering dishes, Deepavali is a special time to spend with family and loved ones. It is a moment to appreciate togetherness, forgiveness, and gratitude. After all, no festival is complete without celebrating it with the people who mean the most to us. As the saying goes, “The more, the merrier.”  

 

NAME: KELLY CHEANG
LEVEL: UFCE

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus all around the world. It takes place every autumn, usually between October and November. It is also called the Festival of Lights because people light up oil lamps and put up colourful decorations around their homes to symbolise the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. 

Prior to Deepavali, people clean and decorate their homes with coloured rice, diyas, and lights to welcome prosperity and good fortune. They create beautiful kolam patterns on the floor using coloured rice or flour. On the day of the festival, women wear sarees, one of the most iconic Indian dresses, while men wear kurtas. Families visit temples to pray for peace and happiness, and they worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha during Deepavali. 

At night, children enjoy lighting fireworks and spending time with their friends around the neighbourhood. The streets are lively with music, laughter, and the glow of lamps everywhere. 

During the celebration, families share delicious Indian sweets coconut candy and laddu. They also exchange food and gifts with friends and relatives. Homes and streets are filled with bright oil lamps, colourful lights, and cheerful laughter, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. 

Deepavali is not just a celebration of light, but also a festival of joy, love, and togetherness. It brings families and friends together in harmony, creating beautiful memories. The festival reminds us that no matter how dark life may seem, goodness and light will always overcome evil and darkness. 

 

Words to learn: 

ethnicities – the quality or fact of belonging to a population group or subgroup made up of people who share a common descent or cultural background 

drapes – cover or wrap loosely with folds of cloth 

muted – (of colour or lighting) not bright; subdued 

substitutes – a person or thing acting or serving in place of another 

delighted – feeling or showing great pleasure 

aromatic – having a pleasant and distinctive smell 

worship – the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity 

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.

Kolam: The Age-Old Deepavali Art Quest 

You can always tell Deepavali is around the corner when colourful rice grains, beautifully embellished into intricate designs, grace the floors of homes, shops, and malls. But do we know what their significance? Let’s sail through the origin and details of kolam, the Deepavali tradition in the form of art.  

The word ‘kolam’ is derived from Sanskrit, to mean beauty, art, form or shape. True to its meaning, kolam is uniquely designed using dyed flour, coloured rice grains, sand, and even flower petals to form intricate designs. Just who could’ve guessed that plain rice grains could form such alluring patterns, enamouring those who gaze upon them.  

Depending on where Deepavali is celebrated, the designs vary in sizes and shapes, spanning from simple geometric patterns to elaborate motifs.  Particularly, kolams in South India can be distinguished by its geometric and symmetry designs with white outlines, dots, and curves. Meanwhile, in North India where it is called the rangoli, the traditional art is manifested through designs of flowers, lamps, or auspicious animals in Hinduism such as elephants or peacocks.  

Now, let’s dive into why and for what purpose it is made. Kolams at the entrance of homes are regarded as a welcome to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity. Using edible grains and natural dyes, it is also meant to feed little creatures such as ants and birds, aligning with Hindu teachings that encourage followers to be generous and kind even to the smallest of creatures. The invigorating art is also believed to drive away evil spirits, creating a propitious atmosphere in celebration of the holy day. 

Little did you know, while it appears to be a pretty straightforward art, it takes hours of physical labour and patience just to complete one kolam! Kneeling, stretching out hands… All just to meticulously pour each handful of coloured rice into the visualised design. So, the next time you spot a kolam at someone’s doorstep, you know what to do! Take a moment to appreciate the effort and meaning behind every swirl and curve! It’s more than just decoration, it’s a beautiful blend of art, patience, and devotion. After all, each kolam is a reminder that even unpretentious grains of rice can be put together to create something truly enchanting. 

Words to learn: 

Caption:
age-long – having existed for a very long time 

embellished – make (something) more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features 

intricate – very complicated or detailed 

alluring – powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating; seductive 

enamouring – have a liking or admiration for 

manifested – to show something clearly, through signs or actions 

invigorating – making one feel strong, healthy, and full of energy 

propitious – being a good omen; favourable  

unpretentious – not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed 

enchanting – delightfully charming or attractive 

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.