IT'S May 2020. And a Hari Raya day with a difference. The ubiquitous flow of guests trailing into the house to partake in Raya makan-makan (feasting) is missing. And an unusual hum (probably from the television) has replaced the usual buzz of celebratory merriments.
"Well, it's definitely a different kind of Raya — physically, mentally and emotionally," muses freelance trainer, Joshua Arulselvan as we mull Hari Raya under the "new normal".
Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic that has blanketed the world, he, along with the rest of the country, will not be able to enjoy Raya the way it has been enjoyed for as long as we all can remember.
A devout Christian, the affable 60-year-old has always been a happy visitor at numerous Raya open houses over the years. It's something he looks forward to.
The delicious spread of rendang and ketupat; the wonderful selection of kuih Raya in their pretty little matching jars; the children running around happily and of course, catching up with friends after a month of lying low as a mark of respect for Ramadan.
The Muhibbah spirit (goodwill spirit) that unites Malaysians, he confides, can never be more clearly seen than during this time, when Malaysians of all races would joyously converge on their friends' homes to be a part of the celebrations. "It's beautiful!" he says simply.
WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
A pause ensues as Joshua, an avid collector of glasses (wine glasses, water glasses, Coca Cola bottles etc.) attempts to recollect some fond memories from his childhood.
A wistful smile crosses his face as he journeys through the back roads, meandering to the carefree days of when he was just a wee lad in primary school.
"I grew up at the government quarters located on Jalan Tembak, Seremban. The area was a mixture of all the ethnicities that structure Malaysia — Malays, Chinese and Indians. The majority were Malays, which was a good thing when it came to the morning of Raya!"
He and his siblings would rise early, readily have their baths and excitedly get dressed for the day's fun.
"Mum saw to it that we were dressed well, or else! Those were my early primary years (circa 1966 to 1970) when it was considered pretty safe for young children to be out and about in the neighbourhood on their own."
And so they'd begin their rounds together. Chuckling, the Ipoh-born Joshua, the eldest in the family, adds: "Somehow it seemed to be gender specific, even though there was no restriction. The boys would go with the boys, and the girls went with the girls. Even if it was to the same houses at the same time!"
Like a little procession, they'd make a beeline for the first house — always a friend's house. "Once there, we'd wish the parents 'Selamat Hari Raya' and then we'd be invited to enjoy the Raya spread. Fully satiated, our friend whom we'd come to visit would proceed to join us to the NEXT friend's house. And so it would go on until early evening, by which time our tummies would be filled to the brim!"
This was his first introduction to the delectable delights of Malay kueh, recalls Joshua, whose mother was a homemaker, and father worked at the post office before moving on to the Chief Medical and Health Office (today's Ministry of Health).
Gleefully, he reels off: "Kuih lapis, kuih koci, kuih talam, kuih seri muka, buah Melaka and so much more! Of course, there were also the many varieties of homemade biscuits. Funnily enough, I seem to remember them more than the actual meals!"
And who could forget the main food, continues Joshua, grinning at the memory. "Chicken rendang, beef rendang, chicken curry, rice, coloured rice, and then the ever present air sirap (rose syrup) or sometimes sirap bandung (rose syrup with condensed milk). As children then, the red colour was very exciting to us."
Eyes twinkling, he adds: "For those below 55 years of age, let it be known that bottled F&N drinks (the only brand we knew or cared about) were considered a luxury then. We drank them only on special occasions. We truly appreciated it then."
BACK TO THE FUTURE
As the minutes tick and the time nears for my departure, Joshua couldn't help but sigh. "It's sad to leave my innocent past behind," he muses reflectively. Turning to me with a thoughtful look on his face, he confides: "What remains firmly etched in my memory is the warm, sincere and heartfelt welcome we kids received at every house we visited."
Continuing, he says fondly: "Not just from the parents, but also all the adults present — grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins plus just about any adult that was there. It really made us feel warm, liked, wanted and appreciated."
Realising that a blanket of sombreness had suddenly descended on our chat, Joshua throws me an apologetic smile before adding more chirpily: "Ooh, I forgot to tell you about the all-important duit Raya (Raya packet). We were so thrilled to receive the little coloured packets containing a few 10 or 20 sen coins. This was considered big in those days. To find a 1 ringgit note in there would be akin to hitting the jackpot!"
Suffice it to say, life was indeed simpler — and more fun — for the young Joshua growing up. Against the backdrop of today's rather subdued landscape, it's little wonder that his mind is inclined to recall the rainbows of yesteryears.
His kindly face wreathed in a nostalgic smile, the children-loving bachelor concludes: "I'm truly grateful for these celebrations, friends and events. They were the foundation for my adult outlook in life."