In Kelantan, Deepavali comes with food, festivities and a thick local dialect

KOTA BHARU: Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, brings together the people of Kelantan in a celebration filled with food, festivities, and the rich local dialect of the Indian community. Known for her thick Kelantan dialect, Thanaletchumi, a 48-year-old Indian woman, shares how the blend of Kelantan culture and Tamil heritage has become an integral part of her family's traditions.

G Thanaletchumi, who prepares her home for the festivities, emphasizes that speaking the local dialect doesn't mean forgetting her mother tongue; she can still converse in Tamil. As Deepavali approaches, preparations begin two months in advance, with the family sourcing ingredients and planning decorations. Two weeks before the celebration, the house undergoes a thorough cleaning, followed by the preparation of traditional snacks such as murukku, nei urundai, and athirasam.

Breakfast on Deepavali morning often consists of thosai served with mutton or chicken curry, a meal eagerly anticipated by both Malay friends and family members. Thanaletchumi's fondest memory of Deepavali involves the warmth and hospitality shared with Malay neighbours who stepped in to help during particularly busy years. Her son, M Sai Siddhart, who is the only Indian student at his secondary school, appreciates the simple joy of having relatives and friends gather at one table during the festival.

Through the celebration of Deepavali, Thanaletchumi and her family uphold the importance of family, food, hospitality, and the joy of sharing these experiences with others.