Glow Of The Deepavali 'Vilakku’ Reflects Prosperity And Happiness

By Mohamad Harith Mohamad Nizar

IPOH, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Celebrating Deepavali or the Festival of Lights is not just about the victory of good over evil, but one that focuses on aspects of cleanliness, prosperity and self-discipline.

All these aspects are manifested through the glow of the vilakku (light) or the traditional oil lamp which for the Indian community, especially in Malaysia, is not just a decoration but carries a deep meaning.

As such, each time Deepavali approaches, the copper or brass lamp becomes an essential item, and it must be polished to shine brightly in celebration of the festival of lights.

Cleanstant Metal Polishing (Cleanstant) director K. Letchumi Devi, 69, who runs a traditional lamp repair and polishing service, said the lamp, made of copper, is considered an object that absorbs positive energy and vibes during religious ceremonies.

She said the shiny condition of the lamp not only reflects the meticulous care and discipline of its owner, but also symbolises the readiness to receive prosperity and joy, while emphasising that the Deepavali celebration is a time to welcome the good things in life.

"Deepavali celebration is like celebrating prosperity, your health, making your life bright - from darkness to brightness… that is the main thing. It (Deepavali) is about life, health, prosperity, happiness… everything,” she said when met at her office here recently.

Letchumi Devi said shiny lamps also signify care towards tradition and culture, adding that there are various types of vilakku, including the Kamachi vilakku (often placed in prayer rooms) and Man vilakku (clay lamps).

She added that the multi-layered or multi-level lamp is also very popular because it is believed to symbolise multiple prosperity.

Meanwhile, her youngest son, 40-year-old B. Kanishen, also the company director, said there are no requirements regarding the cleanliness of the lamp itself, but it is better if it is shiny and clean.

"Our instinct is that when the lamp is shiny, it means we are maintaining cleanliness. So, we can say that the shinier the lamp, the better,” Kanishen, who was born in Kuala Lumpur but grew up in Ipoh, said, while explaining that the obligation to maintain its shine has created a unique business opportunity for his company.

Kanishen said Cleanstant, which began business in 2015, offers polishing and restoration services for copper and brass.

However, he admitted to realising that conventional polishing could only last for a week or two before the oxidation process occurs, causing the copper to become dull or turn "black” again.

As such, he said, Cleanstant not only provides polishing services using industrial-grade technology that can last up to five years for unused items, but also offers gold coating services that provide extraordinary shine and a longer lifespan.

"This way, it (the gold-plated lamp) will shine even brighter. Apart from the shine, in terms of energy vibrations, we believe it absorbs energy faster," he said, adding that the price of their services starts from as low as RM60 to thousands of ringgit, depending on the size of the item.

He said that apart from the service of restoring old lamps, which the Indian community is reluctant to dispose of, even if they are badly damaged due to their sentimental and spiritual values, Cleanstant also produces innovative products that have been patented.

Kanishen said over 40,000 units of Thiri (copper wick) holders have been sold since August last year.

“The Thiri holder elevates the wick so that it does not touch the base of the lamp, thus preventing damage and darkening of the body (structure) of the lamp, especially the clay type.

“Other newly launched products include the Thiri adjuster, a tool that allows users to adjust the wick without having to extinguish the flame,” he said.

Kanishen said demand for polishing services at Cleanstant, which operates in Ipoh, Subang (Selangor) and Johor Bahru (Johor), would usually increase by about 50 per cent ahead of major festivals like Deepavali and Ponggal.

Even then, he said that the sale of innovative products, such as the Thiri holders, was stable throughout the year with an average of 150 to 250 units sold per day, and that there is also demand for their services from Singapore, the United States and Australia.

Kanishen said his company is optimistic about continuing to grow, as many people are still unaware of the special services offered by his company.

-- BERNAMA