Kolam at KL's Low Yat Plaza

As Hindus around the world make preparations for the upcoming Diwali celebrations, it is very common to see major public spaces like shopping centers and others join in the festival by putting up ‘kolams’. Malaysia is no different. 

Kolam is a decorative art practiced by the Indian community. Usually, it is created by spreading colored rice to form a certain design at the entrance of the home or building. The designs usually incorporate Indian cultural motifs and also nature motifs. 

Below is one such kolam –  the photos were taken on Wednesday at Kuala Lumpur’s Low Yat Plaza at Jalan Bintang, off Jalan Bukit Bintang: 

Kolams to usher in Diwali have become popular in Malaysia because they are believed to invoke the blessings of the Deity Lakshimi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth. 

World No. 1 Nicol David successfully defended the US Open squash championships title after a grueling 84-minute battle with her nemesis and world No. 2 at Philadelphia’s Drexel University on Friday. 

In the process, the 30-year-old Malaysian exacted sweet revenge over England’s Laura Massaro. She had lost to the Englishwoman twice – 3-1 in the semi-finals of the KL Open in March and also 3-1 in the final of British Open in May, and she had to battle hard before prevailing 13-11, 11-13, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5. 

It was an appropriate climax to the Women’s Squash Association World Series Platinum event, which – for the first time ever – was providing equal prize money to the men’s event. This is important because it puts the women's game where it deserves to be! 

As for Nicol David, it was a record 69th professional circuit title from 88 finals she has featured in since turning pro in 1999. It was also her third consecutive WSA title as she won the Malaysian Open last month and Carol Weymuller Open in New York on October 6. 

David's next tournament is the China Open in Shanghai starting on October 24. 

Another Malaysian, Low Wee Wern did well too. She was not even expected to be in Thursday’s semi-finals yet came agonizingly close to a major upset. In the end, Laura Massaro’s greater experience edged seventh-ranked Wee Wern 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 in 86 minutes. Aside from the first game which Massaro took at a canter, the other four games were always in the balance and only a late burst of points secured it for the winner. That was how it ended in the fifth with the score at 7-7 when momentum swung Massaro's way. 

Earlier, Low had stunned world No. 3 Egypt’s Raneem El Weleily in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.