19/10/2025

ON SUNDAY October 19, 2025 theSunday Special III

The source of inspiration Yashvin Kumar is an aspiring writer, spoken-word poet and educator. While he admits he is not the most spiritual person, Deepavali still holds significance for him. “Every year, my mother cooks authentic vegetarian Kerala cuisine on two occa sions – Vishu and Onam . For Deepavali, we prepare a variety of dishes – Malayali, Indian and other regional dishes – to feed ourselves, our friends and our family. Food heavily inspires my creative work, I think, because, like they say, you are what you eat. I eat well, so I’d like to believe I write well,” Yashvin shared. Yashvin may not have written directly about Deepavali, but he certainly includes the festival’s values in his work: hope, thriving, and the triumph of light over darkness. To him, these concepts are universal and can resonate with others even without cultural references. “I’ve always been happy to have friends of different races, religions and backgrounds over for Deepavali dinner. My family includes many interracial marriages, so we are already very diverse. I believe this has always influenced my work and my perspective on people. We are all human and can usually connect at a basic level through love, kindness and compassion,” he said. He believes mainstream success and hustle culture are overrated. Yashvin prefers to write about love, connection and kindness. Having celebrated Deep avali every year, he recognises how these themes recur in his writing. For him, his work is a reflection of his personal growth and values. Into the beat D eepavali means many different things to Kirstie Maximus Sebastian. For the deejay-turned-singer, it is about celebrat ing unity, cultural traditions, beautiful clothing and, of course, fantastic food. Maximus always feels honoured to receive invitations from her friends to join in their Deepavali celebrations. This inclusivity makes her feel welcomed and appreciated.

“Every year during Deepavali, the photos and videos my friends, family and I take are forever cherished. They always remind me of the laughter and happiness shared during each celebration,” Kirstie said. S he also spreads the spirit of Deepavali through music. During the festive season, she enjoys incorporating Indian mixes into her sets, adding richness and energy to the atmosphere. Each set is curated on the spot, as she freestyles to uplift the crowd, especially during meaningful occasions like Deepavali. “ Music has no boundaries, so blending genres and sounds is a beautiful thing. It should be celebrated more often. As for Deepavali, the simple fact that everyone is welcomed to share food, joy and laughter makes me feel the love. I always think about the women who run the household, working tirelessly to provide a warm and open space for their guests. I sincerely hope this tradition never ends because, after all, love is all we have,” she said. I n Malaysia, Deepavali is more than just a celebration of light. It reflects our shared values of unity, kindness and cultural appreciation. Whether through food, fashion, music or community, the spirit of Deepavali lives on in the ways we connect and celebrate together.

Every year, Yashvin invites friends of different races, religions and backgrounds over for Deepavali dinner.

Raginee wants to extend the festival’s joy beyond her immediate circle and nurture compassion in the broader community.

Kirstie … “Deepavali celebrates unity, cultural traditions, beautiful clothing and, of course, amazing food.”