How the spirit of Thaipusam has been captured in Malaysian art

Veteran artist Long Thien Shih brings to life an epic Thaipusam night scene in his work called 'Thaipusam, Batu Caves' (pastel sketch, paper, 2010), which shows beautifully lit up kavadis and worshippers congregating at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves. Photo: Long Thien Shih

The Hindu community today will celebrate Thaipusam, a festival that falls on the full moon day of the Tamil month of 'Thai'.

The festival commemorates the day when Lord Murugan received the 'vel' (lance) from his mother Goddess Parvathi to destroy the evil demon Soorapadman to save humanity.