Deepavali is a time for the family

Malati and Suraenan (far right) with her family on Deepavali morning last year. Photo: Malati Siniah

Malati Siniah, 34 and Suraenan Raj Uthrapathy, 39, from Subang Jaya, Selangor, got married just before the pandemic and celebrated their Thala Deepavali (or first Deepavali as a newly-married couple) during the recovery movement control order last year.

While most Deepavali rites and rituals focus on the groom’s side of the family, Thala Deepavali is a time where the bride’s family welcomes the new son-in-law at their family home, explains Suraenan who is a businessman.