Indian families in Kelantan blend local dialects and traditions for Deepavali

Thanaletchumi, a 48-year-old woman in Kelantan, Malaysia, celebrates Deepavali by combining her Indian heritage with local Kelantanese culture.

She explains that while her family speaks a thick Kelantan dialect, they still maintain their Tamil language and Indian customs. This cultural blend defines the identity of the Indian community in the state. The family incorporates local flavors into their daily lives, such as eating ulam with budu, which sits alongside traditional curry and thosai.

For the Deepavali festival, Thanaletchumi begins preparations two months in advance by sourcing ingredients and planning decorations. Two weeks before the event, she cleans her home and prepares traditional snacks like murukku and ghee balls. The celebration focuses on hospitality and community spirit. Thanaletchumi shares food with Malay neighbors, who have previously helped her family prepare meals during busy years.

Her husband, M S Murugaih, and their 19-year-old son, M Sai Siddhart, work to ensure the next generation learns these rituals. Their son grew up as the only Indian student among nearly 800 pupils at his secondary school, which helped him become comfortable mixing with Malay friends.