VICTORY OVER DARKNESS

> In celebration of Diwali tomorrow, 16 dancers from the Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia reenacted the battle of good over evil in dance, exclusively for theSun

... theSun joins dancers from The Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia to wish readers a Happy Deepavali. The festival, which falls tomorrow, signifies the victory of

light over darkness. There is no publication of theSun tomorrow.

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ONE of the origins of Deepavali or Diwali celebrated by Malaysians of the Hindu faith tomorrow, stems from the Ramayana, one of the great epics of Indian literature.

According to the tale, Lord Rama, who is the rightful ruler of the kingdom of Ayodhya, is living in exile with his wife Sita and brother Lord Lakshmana.

The demon Ravana then kidnaps Sita, and Rama goes to rescue her.

With the help of the Monkey god Hanuman, Rama manages to defeat Ravana, and eventually returns to reclaim the throne of Ayodhya.

Lamps are lit around the kingdom to mark his return, and even today, Hindus light lamps to symbolise the triumph of good over evil.

That is why Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights.

Here, dancers from the Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia reenacted the last few scenes of this epic story exclusively for theSun.

Portraying Lord Rama is Divya S., 17, with Keisewar G., 16, as Lord Lakshmana and Malaika N., 20, as Sita.

Meanwhile, Nageshwaran R., 16, plays Hanuman and the demon Ravana is portrayed by Prashant K., 20.

Scene 6: Lord Rama is crowned as the king of Ayodhya.

Scene 5: People of Ayodhya welcome their return with lamps in their hands.

Scene 3: The war is over ... (from left) Hanuman, Lord Lakshmana, Lord Rama and wife Sita

Scene 2: The victory of good over evil…Ravana is defeated

Scene 4: The time of exile is over and they prepare to leave the forest.

Scene 1: The war ... (from left) Ravana in battle with Lord Rama, Lord Lakshmana and Hanuman.