The Sounds of Deepavali: Music in Malaysian Celebrations

Walk through Brickfields or Penang's Little India in the weeks before Deepavali, and you will hear music spilling from shops and stalls. Upbeat songs play alongside the bustle of shoppers, drummers perform at festive events and families fill their homes with familiar melodies as guests arrive.

Music is an essential part of the festive atmosphere in Malaysia, connecting generations and cultures. This guide explains the place of Tamil film music and Malaysian Tamil music, traditional instruments, Carnatic classical music, music at open houses and public events, festive songs in other languages and how to create a festive playlist for your own gathering.

Tamil Film Music

Tamil film songs are hugely popular in Malaysia and form a big part of the festive soundtrack. Upbeat dance numbers play at bazaars and open houses, while classic melodies bring back memories for older generations.

Many families have favourite songs they play every year, and teenagers often share the latest hits with their cousins. The mix of old and new songs is part of what makes festive music so special.

Festive songs also play in shopping malls and on local radio stations, so even Malaysians who do not celebrate Deepavali often recognise a few familiar tunes.

Malaysian Tamil Music

Malaysia has its own vibrant Tamil music scene, with local artists producing songs, albums and festive releases. Some Malaysian Tamil musicians blend traditional sounds with hip hop, pop and electronic music, creating a uniquely Malaysian style that reflects life here.

Supporting local musicians by streaming their songs, buying their music or attending their performances helps keep this creative scene growing.

Traditional Instruments

Several traditional instruments are often heard during the festive season.

• The nadaswaram, a long double-reed wind instrument with a powerful, bright sound
• The thavil, a barrel-shaped drum that often accompanies the nadaswaram
• The mridangam, a double-headed drum central to Carnatic music
• The veena, a stringed instrument with a rich, resonant sound
• The urumi drum, heard in lively folk percussion ensembles

Urumi melam

In Malaysia, urumi melam groups often perform at cultural events and festive gatherings. Their high-energy beats are hard to resist and often draw a crowd of curious onlookers.

If you see a group performing at a festive event, it is fine to watch, clap along and take photos from a respectful distance, unless organisers ask otherwise.

Carnatic classical music

Carnatic music is the classical music of South India. Concerts and recitals are sometimes held during the festive season. Many compositions have devotional themes rooted in Hindu tradition, and audiences of other faiths can appreciate them as cultural performances. Carnatic music also accompanies classical dance, as our guide to Bharatanatyam explains.

Music at Open Houses and Public Events

Many hosts play soft background music during open houses, often a mix of Tamil film songs, instrumental pieces and festive tunes. Some gatherings may feature live performances by family members or invited musicians.

Choose songs with clean lyrics for family gatherings, as guests of all ages will be listening.

Ask younger family members to help build the playlist. They often know the latest songs, while older relatives can suggest the classics.

Shopping malls and community centres often host Deepavali events featuring cultural dance performances, urumi melam drumming, live bands playing Tamil songs and singing competitions. These events are open to everyone and are a great way to enjoy the festive spirit. Our guide to Little India Brickfields covers one of the busiest festive areas.

Check the event schedules of malls and community centres near you in the weeks before Deepavali, as performances are often announced only a short time in advance.

Festive songs in other languages

In multicultural Malaysia, you may also hear festive music that blends Malay, Tamil, Mandarin and English, especially in unity-themed songs and festive advertisements.

These songs are a lovely reminder that Malaysians share each other's celebrations, and they are often a favourite with children learning about different festivals.

Creating a Festive Playlist

If you are hosting an open house, a thoughtful playlist sets the mood.

1. Mix upbeat and gentle songs
2. Include instrumental music for background ambience
3. Keep the volume moderate so guests can talk
4. Lower the volume late at night to respect neighbours
5. Pause the music briefly when the call to prayer can be heard nearby

Tip: Prepare your playlist the day before and test it on your speaker. On the day, you will be busy greeting guests and will not want to search for songs.

FAQ

What music is played during Deepavali in Malaysia?

Tamil film songs, Malaysian Tamil music, traditional instruments and Carnatic classical music are all popular.

What is urumi melam?

It is a lively folk percussion ensemble featuring the urumi drum, often seen at Malaysian festive events.

How loud should open house music be?

Keep it moderate so guests can talk, and lower it late at night for neighbours.

Music crosses language barriers. Even if you do not understand every word, the rhythms and melodies of Deepavali can make anyone want to tap their feet.