Deepavali | Festival of Lights

The Hindu and Sikh communities of Malaysia observed Deepavali or Diwali on 5Nov., according to the lunar calendar. For them, it is the most important festival of the year, with families performing prayers and religious rituals over five days to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

The national holiday is marked by visiting celebrants (known and unknown!!) and sharing in their festive spread, usually of traditional cakes and goodies or even a cultural feast known locally as "open house"!

Of note is the 'kolam' or sand painting decoration at the front entrance of homes or commercial enterprises to herald the festive mood. It is created with coloured rice and rice powder, usually a very vibrant and symmetrical art piece, simple or intricate.

Am really impressed with this "piece de resistance" @ Pavilion KL by students of limkokwing University of Creative Technology.

skillfully executed

proud

garment of orchids

spectacular plumage with 'eyes'

Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2010 | Preserved Palms

To Malaysians of Muslim faith, wishing you all a peaceful and joyous Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri !

happy children playing hopscotch 

This pretty local country home was captured at The Curve shopping mall at Mutiara Damansara, PJ.  I'd probably like to compare this scenario to that at nearby 1Utama as a tale of two malls, not only in terms of wholesome cultural exhibits but of the palmacae kind.

Noticed the palms in the background of this concourse area? The very tall palm exhibits do indeed command your visual presence. Preserved Phoenix Date palms to be exact. Hence, in terms of originality, absolutely zilch as I.ve yet to come across any majestic date palms of 10m or more in Malaysia. (I could be proven wrong!)

However, I'd give them top marks for practicality, little or no maintenance and considering the height of the cathedral dome, these palms complemented the spatial vastness and structure dynamics well.

Being in bountiful Malaysia, as nature bestowed, we'd be truly doomed should we ever run out of greenery or palms for that matter to enhance or facilitate any landscaped interiors.  Looking closely at these kind of strange but fascinating palms, it makes sense.  It's an absolute compromise.  Partially real - the preserved trunks and nearly real, close replica - of the fronds, together they appear to be of reasonable quality to offer such realism.

preserved phoenix date palms

realistic

Light weight, easy to install, no caring for water nor lighting needs, as well as fire retardant.  Best bits are that no trimming required and could be custom built to budget and specification.  Hmm.... lovely, sets me thinking, a White Elephant Palm would be nice, literally!

Somehow, my mind's drawn back to the uncertain fate of the real palms left languishing at the other mall, a stone's throw away...

The Spirit of Ramadhan @ 1Utama

The rich cultural diversity of Malaysia allows its people to celebrate a few different 'new year' according to the various religious calendars. Malaysians of different ethnicity celebrate together and whenever a particular celebration is due, businesses and stores are appropriately decorated for these traditional festive occasions.

During the month of Ramadhan, (fasting month for the Muslim majority in this country), whereby forgiveness, guidance, self control, sacrifice and empathy for the less fortunate, are practiced, Muslims throughout the country are preparing for  the much anticipated celebration at the end of the fasting period.

The tradition of  'balik kampung' literally translated means going home to one's village or original place of abode, is well underway with fares for all transport modes sold out.  In particular, a metropolis like Kuala Lumpur, where many folks 'emigrated' from smaller towns and villages to work, many will also make the annual pilgrimmage back to their hometown to celebrate the joyous occasion with loved ones.

rural setting : thatched huts, palms + padi (rice) fields

A beautiful nostalgic rural scene has been set up in the main concourse of this particular shopping mall to herald in the mood for Hari Raya Puasa which falls on 10 & 11 September 2010.

Of note is the inclusion of live palms, especially the coconut (cocos nucifera) and the areca nut (areca catechu) palms into the setting to reflect their significant roles both economic, social and aesthetic in the livelihoods of villagers around the country.

scarecrow

threshing the stalks

separating husks from grain

bag it

In small rural farms, back breaking padi planting, harvesting, threshing, separating and packing methods shown above still use manual labour and primitive implements.

Besides decorating their homes, new clothes, shoes, presents and the gift of green cash envelopes make all the excitement worth the wait.