Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Mid Valley Megamall sets the mood for ushering in the Festival of Lights
By VIVIENNE PAL
Vivienne@thestar.com.my
Photos by CHAN TAK KONG
DOME-SHAPED arches and ketupat have made way for the quintessential oil lamp and multi-coloured kolam – a sure sign that Hari Raya is over and Deepavali is around the corner.
Walk into Mid Valley Megamall now and you will see that it has undergone a quick makeover in time for the festival of lights.
The centre court showpiece, for starters, is a magnificent structure in red sandstone hues bearing an impressive resemblance to a bygone palace courtyard.
Inspired by ancient Indian architecture and design, the structure features opulent peacock arches with intricate geometric and floral motifs all encrusted with tiny mirror squares.
Adding further allure to the structure are decor pieces, coloured glasses, sheer saris in vibrant hues and two elaborate kolam in a courtyard which has been planted with natural grass.
“The artistic team started sandblasting and carving about a month ago,” said advertising public relations manager Catherine Lim, “and all the mirrors were stuck by hand.”
Classical Indian music has been thoughtfully piped in to enhance the atmosphere.
Shoppers can also make their way to the bazaar kiosks which have been lined up just around the centre court, most of which are offering discounts on their merchandise.
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Magnificent: The structure with peacock arches, intricate geometric and floral motifs all encrusted with tiny mirror squares, at the centre court.
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For a quick look-through for fashion and home accessories and apparel, pay a visit to Khazanah and Le Mombai.
Pick up knick-knacks from Khazanah that include Indian lampshades, pretty earrings, beaded cushion covers, and ladies' kurtas.
Le Mombai has a lovely selection of clothes and skirts with handmade detailing, as well as pashmina shawls.
For bags galore, head to Coco.nut which sells a variety of handmade bags – clutches, totes, slings – made of various material and embellished with beads and embroidery.
The bags come from Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand.
For some goodies, there is Top Cookies which offers a variety of sweet delights.
Although famous for its pineapple tarts, Top Cookies is offering some new varieties of biscuits, namely the strawberry chocolate almond, cashew nut special cookies and white chocolate almonds.
For a very Malaysian tidbit, pay a visit to the Ipoh Kacang Putih kiosk which sells more than 10 varieties of kacang putih, as well as murukku.
Shoppers can redeem a free pack of murukku from the kiosk if they spend a minimum of RM100 at any specialty store (maximum of two accumulated receipts).
Meanwhile, to add to the ambience, there will be nightly cultural performances beginning until Nov 11. Performances on weekdays begin at 8pm while weekend performances take place at 3pm and 8pm.
