Yalinie Mathan
The national Deepavali celebration will be held at Little India, Brickfields, on 14 November. That is six days after Deepavali itself. It follows weeks of Deepavali bazaars and mall displays. National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang announced the event on Friday, Bernama reported.
Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights. It stands for the win of light over dark. The celebration runs from 8am to 11.30pm. The Ministry of National Unity is organising it with the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The theme is “The Light of Deepavali: Fostering Unity”.
Overall, here is what is on the programme, who is scheduled to attend and how the Deepavali weekend looks.
What is on the programme
About 5,000 visitors from all walks of life are expected on the day. The programme includes cultural performances and traditional Indian dances. In addition, there will be recitals of the veenai and the mridangam.
Likewise, visitors can watch demonstrations of silambam, kalaripayattu and karra samu. A fashion show is also planned. Meanwhile, a “Rumah Kami” pavilion will show the heritage of the Malay, Chinese, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Gujarati and Malayalee communities.
The line-up of performers includes Yogi B and Natchatra, Buggimaan, the Havoc Brothers and Zubir Khan. Gayathri Thandapany, Kashmir Stone and Kumaresh are also listed. The ministry calls them local artists and singers, The Star noted.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate, according to the ministry. The ministry first flagged the event on 27 October. Deputy National Unity Minister R. Yuneswaran said it would offer arts, culture and heritage activities from morning until night. He hopes many people will come, as the day falls on a Saturday.
Before you go
The announcement did not cover entry, parking or road closures. Therefore, check the ministry’s official channels before you travel.
Brickfields is usually busy at Deepavali, so allow extra time to get there. KL Sentral is the closest major rail hub, so public transport is an easy option.
In addition, the event runs from morning until late at night. As a result, visitors can come at any time of day.
Weather is another factor. The Klang Valley has seen flash floods after heavy rain this month. Therefore, pack an umbrella and check the forecast on the day. Likewise, plan your trip home early if the sky turns dark.
The Deepavali weekend
Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November. Monday, 9 November, is a replacement public holiday in several states.
Many people will have a long weekend, so roads and malls may be busy. Moreover, the Penang ferry is free for Malaysians on Deepavali day.
Singapore also has a public holiday on Monday, according to Little Big Red Dot. Its Festival Village in Little India closes on 8 November. Still, the street lights there have shone nightly since 3 October.
Travellers on the Causeway should plan ahead, as Woodlands and Tuas expect heavy traffic until 9 November. In short, the national Deepavali celebration is a full-day event in the heart of Brickfields. Confirm the practical details with the ministry before you plan your visit.
Navin Kumar Perianen
Maran Perianen
Sashidaran Gunathevan
Add comment