It is a long weekend in this part of the world, and with Thaipusam falling on Sunday, the atmosphere takes on a very different rhythm. Thaipusam is observed by Tamil communities across the world, not just here, but in places like India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, and even pockets of Europe and North America.
Wherever it is celebrated, the themes are remarkably consistent: faith, discipline, endurance, and gratitude. As a kid, I remember standing along the roadside watching the kavadis pass by, the drums, the chanting, the intensity of it all.
I did not fully understand the spiritual significance back then. I was more fascinated by the movement and energy, and at some point I even found myself dancing along the street as if I were part of the procession. No vows, no trance, just a child swept up in the moment, with enthusiasm doing most of the heavy lifting.
Looking back, Thaipusam has a quiet lesson embedded in it. Commitment is rarely comfortable, and meaningful journeys often look strange or even excessive to those watching from the outside. That idea has aged surprisingly well.
These days, my long weekends are less about dancing in the streets and more about catching up on work. So blogging will be a little lighter than usual while I work through notes, emails, and unfinished tasks, my own version of ritual, minus the drums.
Normal programming resumes soon. Until then, consider this a pause, not a disappearance.