On this day, when Malaysians celebrate Deepavali, I share two takes on emerging identity, on celebration, on beliefs from two very different creative spirits. With thanks to S. Shankar and in fond memory of a good friend, Yasmin Ahmad, celebrated film-maker and an important Malaysian voice, lost too soon.
I’m an atheist. There was a time—a green adolescent time of stumbling discovery—when because of my atheism I refused to enter temples, choosing rather to wait outside while my family disappeared inside for a while. I remember very well an old and beautiful temple in Thirunelveli, quiet and dignified and redolent with the incense smoke of centuries. To the shock of relatives we were visiting I refused to enter it. Later, there were arguments about superstition and casteism and the dead weight of tradition that seemed—and actually were—urgent and unavoidable to me and my emergent atheism.
There was a time when I refused religious festivals too. I grew up with the annual wonder of Deepavali (which this year falls in the middle of next week). Waking up early; oil bath in the dark of pre-dawn to “cool” your body; new clothes; firecrackers; playing cards; endless feasting through the day; visiting…
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freecatholic808 says: 
Dawn Morais 