TAMPIN: Three generations of a family from Gemencheh here look forward to celebrating Deepavali tomorrow, while keeping to traditions preserved over the years.
Ponnamah Periayah, 72, a single mother of nine children, said Deepavali was celebrated on a more meaningful scale many years ago.
"Those days, all family members and relatives lived in one village and families would come together to celebrate Deepavali.
"We take five days off to celebrate Deepavali.
"However, this year, as my children are living all over the country, I will be spending the first day of Deepavali by myself, and I will only be able to visit my children and my grandchildren on the second day of Deepavali," she said.
She also said that traditional Indian cookies like 'muruku' and 'achu muruku' tasted better then compared to now as they were made from scratch rather than with instant pre-mixed flour.
"We now use quick-mixing flour to make 'murukku', but in the past, we prepared our own flour."
Ponnammah said there were still some Deepavali customs that youngsters practiced, such as taking the traditional oil bath in the morning, wearing new clothes, praying together with their family and getting blessings from their grandparents.
Ponnammah who has 10 grandchildren said they used to take a bus to go to town to buy new outfits and decorative items.
Her eldest child Meenachi Ponniah, 50, highlighted the differences between celebrating Deepavali now compared to when she was a child.
"As a child, they were overwhelmed with excitement days before the festival and listened to various stories about Deepavali.
"Now, we fully comprehend that the Festival of Lights signifies the spiritual winning of light over darkness, good over evil, and wisdom over ignorance," she said.
"Despite living in a highly materialistic and changing society, we have maintained our Deepavali traditional practices," she said.
Third-generation family member and Ponnamah's granddaughter Sarenyaa Anpalakan, 16, said Deepavali was a day to follow traditional rituals like taking an oil bath in the morning, wearing a new outfit, praying with family and friends, and of course, lighting fireworks and enjoying blockbuster films with relatives.
She believes that Deepavali is a time to worship and rejoice with family. It was also a time to enjoy fun activities such as lighting firecrackers with siblings, decorating homes with 'kolam' designs, taking selfies with cousins and tasting wonderful Indian cuisine made by her family.