Deepavali celebration with The Straits

 

The start time indicated on the invitation to lunch on Deepavali day was 11am so I thought it would be just right to arrive about 12pm, closer to my usual lunchtime.

 

A glittering and glamourous bevy of beauties
at the Deepavali celebration with The Straits
 

Lunch will be hosted at the Straits Brasserie located on the lobby level of The Straits Resort, so a slow drive along the Iskandar Coastal Highway should take me comfortably to the Afiniti in Medini, Iskandar Puteri.

 

During my drive, the monsoon rain poured down quite heavily. But this did not do anything to dampen my Deepavali spirit because there was plenty of indoor parking in the Afiniti.

 

Then a smooth elevator ride took me from the carpark to the lobby level and main entrance of The Straits where guests were being welcomed in.

 

Dressed in traditional Indian costumes, the team at The Straits was a glittering and glamourous sight to behold as they ushered residents and guests into the lobby and Brasserie, where the festive buffet was being served.

 

The welcoming kolam design in the
lobby of The Straits Resorts Medini
Iskandar Puteri, Johor

While my attention was captivated by the sight of these attractive traditional Indian outfits, my eyes were next riveted to the colourful traditional artwork, designed on the floor of the front lobby.

 

It was a rangoli, a traditional Indian folk art, called kolam in South India. The word, rangoli, comes from the Sanskrit term, rangavali, which means a, “row of colours” – ranga meaning “colour” and avali meaning “row.”

 

During Deepavali, families decorate their doorsteps with colourful kolam designs traditionally made with rice flour, enhanced with coloured powders.

 

As India’s national bird, the peacock is a popular motif in kolam designs, along with traditional motifs like oil lamps and lotus flowers.

 

Pastry Chef Ashwini Vijakumaran
presented an array of delightful desserts

In Hindu tradition, the peacock represents grace, beauty and renewal, bringing an auspicious and welcoming vibe to doorways. These kolam patterns symbolises auspiciousness and prosperity and believed to welcome goddess Lakshimi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune, into their home.

 

More than just decorations, kolam reflects harmony with Nature. Made with rice flour, the Kolam provides food for ants and other small creatures, a simple act of kindness that reflects respect for all living things.

 

Inside the Brasserie, a buffet spread was laid out, ready for guests to help themselves to the dishes served to compliment this festive season. As more guests and residents arrived, I was delighted to see some familiar faces and meet with the new friends.

 

Executive Chef Mohd Nizam was all smiles
as guests helped themselves to the buffet

Among them were Ginete and William Da Cunha, a couple from Goa, India, who were guests at The Straits for a three-week stay.

 

Before starting to help myself to the festive buffet, I looked at what was being served and often started with checking out the desserts [Ahem!] so that I could save some space to indulge in the sweets.

 

Pastry Chef, Ashwini Vijakumaran, was pleased to introduce an array of delightful desserts like Gulab Jamun, Semiya Payasam, filled with sago beads and vermicelli, and Coconut Barfi among the seasonal fresh fruits.

 

She ventured to present the Gulab Jamun differently, by cutting the syrupy globes into halves and serving them in a fusion dessert, as a garnish within cups of heart-shaped no-bake cheesecake.

 

Guests helping themselves to
the Deepavali buffet spread

Led by Executive Chef Mohd Nizam and Chef Sarah Rania, the culinary team prepared the Deepavali menu of main course dishes along with starter items like traditional dosa to savour with sambar gravy and chutney, and samosa topped with mint and coriander chutney.

 

It was a free-and-easy time to enjoy a leisurely lunch as guests helped themselves to the fragrant Chicken Dum Beriyani enhanced with cucumber raita, enjoyed with gravies like Chicken Varuval, Mutton Kurma, Fish Curry, and vegetable dishes like Chickpea Masala, Cabbage Poriyal, Aloo Gobi and Dhall Tadka.

 

There was also Tomato Rasam soup to go with the tasty and mild range of spices and flavours in the gravies. However, midway through the meal, I started to feel some “heat” in my mouth which was quickly put out by a few gulps of warm water. The Chickpea Masala was the main suspect, a gravy dish which I thoroughly enjoyed.

 

During the event, I was pleased to discover that The Straits had arranged some activities which aimed to share some Indian traditions with the guests.

 

These included a mini kolam-making activity that guests may try their hand at, and henna hand-painting for guests to experience how henna was used in this folk art.

 

Residents and guests having fun while joining
in the Deepavali Kahoot Quiz game

To top it all, guests were invited to take part in a Deepavali Kahoot Quiz where the answers to the quiz showed how much we know about the festival’s traditions while providing interesting information about these traditions to guide us as we live together in a multi-cultural community.

 

Kahoot is an online game where guests used their handphones to answer the quiz questions in an interactive and fun activity. As the scores were tallied, the top three scorers were identified and rewarded with prizes that comprised bags of festive goodies.

 

The event closed on a high note as guests sipped warm Masala Tea and nibbled on desserts while groups were taken on a tour of the Resort facilities and show unit, designed with elder-friendly features.

 

The Straits Resorts Medini is located within the Afiniti Medini, No. 3 Jalan Medini Utara 4, Medini Iskandar, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.

 

For enquiries and appointment for a visit to the show unit, send your message via WhatsApp to Tel: +65 8819 7222 or send email to: contact@thestraitsresorts.com

 

For more information, visit website: thestraitsresorts.com