KUALA LUMPUR — Deepavali has always held a special place in national women’s doubles star M. Thinaah’s heart, a time when family and traditions brighten the season.
Yet for the past six to seven years, the demands of representing Malaysia in tournaments abroad have kept her from celebrating at home.
This year, however, the stars have aligned, allowing Thinaah to share the Festival of Lights with her family – and not just any family gathering, but one with new faces and new reasons to celebrate, making this Deepavali a truly unforgettable homecoming.
In April, Thinaah’s older brother, Kejhan, married S. Bavitra, adding a joyful new chapter for the family.
Just a few months later, Thinaah and her doubles partner, Pearly Tan, made history as the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to reach an Olympics semi-final in Paris.
The Muralitharan family’s celebrations have only grown. Recently, Thinaah and Pearly ended a two-year World Tour title drought by clinching the Hong Kong Open.
Additionally, Thinaah’s younger sister, Selinaah, earned the ‘Grand Master’ title from the Asian Book of Records (ABR) for writing the longest poem in the region.
Adding to the list of achievements, Thinaah also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from the Open University of Malaysia (OUM) this year.
“Yes! My family has grown even bigger now, and being home for my brother’s first Deepavali as a husband makes it extra special for me,” Thinaah told Scoop.
“On top of that, this Deepavali is really special because I get to spend it with my family and friends.
“It’s been so long since I was home for Deepavali due to tournaments. This year definitely means a lot to me.
“Celebrating with loved ones around you really makes you feel cherished, and we’re all so grateful for it.”
Recalling one of her most memorable Deepavali celebrations, Thinaah spoke about making the most of her time in France two years ago. She and Pearly went on to win the Super 750 French Open.
“I brought my (traditional) clothes to France and had a simple meal. Then, we won the French Open, and that was a completely different feeling,” she reminisced.
This year, as fate would have it, Thinaah celebrates Deepavali with another title under her belt – the Hong Kong Open – and eyes set on more victories with Pearly.
Their next assignments this year will be the Kumamoto Masters and the China Masters, where they hope to continue their winning streak. — October 31, 2024