and beautiful colours…

Walking back from New Apollos with Jeannie. I hear a rumble, grumble and tumble sound. I think its coming from my stomach. Hungry so soon? I thought I just had dinner a short while ago. I did. It went off again…blumbbber, gruuubller, baaroom.

Hey! That’s not coming from my stomach. It’s the sound of thunder grumbling in the distance. “Does this mean it is going to rain? Again?”, Jeannie asks?; making conversation.

We’ve not had rain for a couple of days, which was kind of a welcome; seeing that it has been raining cats & dogs, bathtubs and kitchen sinks for well over a week; causing floods in several states in Peninsula Malaysia, including Selangor. Certain parts of Subang Jaya were affected by the floods, too.

The very short walk felt kind of good since I have not been on my regular 10 kilometer walks over the past few days. Yes, it is because of the rain. I do walk in the rain…with an umbrella, if it is not too heavy; the rain, that is.

Today is the start of a long weekend. The festival of Deepavali or Diwali is on Sunday. Deepavali, means: “Row of Lights”; where light triumphs over darkness. This is a festival celebrated by Hindus. Since Deepavali falls on Sunday, Monday will be a public holiday in Malaysia. Malaysians love festivals. It can be said that we celebrate all festivals, like non-Hindus will be celebrating with our fellow Malaysian Hindus.

Hindus, as well as many non-Hindus; will be decked with colourful, traditional Hindu outfits. I like the Kurta for men, a traditional, long shirt, without a collar. I still don’t have one for myself…yet. I like one which is light coloured. Hopefully, I will get one over the next few days.

The ladies and young girls will wear the traditional saree. They come in a wide spectrum of colours and designs. The ladies definitely are spoilt for choice.

One of the nicest things about Deepavali is the display of a wide spectrum of colour. Their Rangoli (1) decor, for one; a decoration made with colourful rice. I love colours. It is one of the greatest forms of expression.

One of the wonderful aspects of celebrating these festivities is the wide variety of food. And Malaysians looovvvee food. All the best food chefs will be coming up with some of the most delicious food you can ever find in Malaysia. Daphne Jeyamani is one of the best chefs around. She is also the most feared…on deck of swimming pools at swimming championships. She usually is the chief referee at these championships. Feared not only by the swimmers, but by technical officials, too. A no-nonsense referee who sticks to the rules. At the end of the meets, she is the most humorous and friendliest of people around.

Daphne is a fantastic cook. And a great baker of cookies and other Indian sweets, too. Her house is an example of what goes on at all homes during Deepavali. Malaysians will be doing what Malaysians do during festivals – visiting their friends and families, sharing joy and happiness with each other.

We, the Atkinsons: Laura, Jeannie and Alan (me); wish all Hindus, here in Malaysia and around the world, a very Happy Deepavali.

#praga
P.S.: Looking forward to Sunday. Some people have already started the celebrations. Cool.

NOTES
1. Traditionally, Rangoli is an art of decoration and patterns drawn on the floor or the entrances of homes with colourful ground rice. It is thought to bring good luck, prosperity on the house and in the family, and to welcome guests. Some mothers in India do this activity every morning, or on a special festive occasion like Diwali, Onam, and Pongal. richlandlibrary