To my Hindu readers, Happy Deepavali! The kolam is an apt design to start off the celebration with. It is a design drawn on the floor and filled in with coloured rice powder as a sign of welcome and prosperity.

The festival is celebrated with lamps and lights, signifying the victory of good over evil.

Deepavali Day is always celebrated with a lot of food cooked by my mother. This year, sis-in-law, Kat, took over some of the responsibilities and passed with flying colours.

Mutton curry by mum

Penang achar by Kat

Mutton perattal by mum

Fried chicken by Kat

Fruit salad by Kat

What’s unique is that these two ladies (mum and Kat) do not come from an Indian background. Having married men of Indian/part Indian heritage, they picked up the skills and can now cook a fantastic array of Indian cuisine, some of which are influenced by their Chinese and Nyonya heritage. And this is what being truly Malaysian is all about. I can’t help but salute these two women. (Note: Lyrical Lemongrass’ area of specialty is eating, and not cooking! We all have our strengths. 😛 )

Deepavali cookies and muruku assortment (muruku, kara muruku, achi muruku, omapodi) by mum and Kat

Those who are unable to view my pictures on flickr, including the good people of Abu Dhabi, may click HERE to view the pictures.