Veteran golfer Raja Kelly brings loved ones together for Deepavali

For veteran golf professional Rajendera Karuppiah, better known as Raja Kelly, Deepavali is about more than family traditions – it is also a chance to bring people together, regardless of race, nationality or background.

That spirit was on full display when Raja Kelly and his wife, Suriyabraba Thangavelu, hosted a festive luncheon at the Cyberjaya home of their son Nanda Kumar and his wife Lieza Varona.

Also present were Raja Kelly’s sons Siva Kumar and Shashi Kumar, daughter Kalpana Devi and their children, along with aunts, uncles and other relatives.

Family and friends gathered over a sumptuous spread that included not only traditional Indian dishes, but Filipino, Malay, Chinese and Western flavours prepared by the hosts.

The guest list reflected the gathering’s international flavour, with friends from Italy, France, India, Indonesia and the Philippines joining Malaysians from different backgrounds.

Raja Kelly said he decided on the gathering not only to foster camaraderie among his relatives and friends, but also to promote the values of being one large family.

“Many of us who live far away or overseas do not get to see each other as often owing to work, family and personal commitments. Some of us are also ageing and may not be around for too long.

“It is during occasions like this that we can catch up on the good old times with some banter, chats and cheer,” said Raja Kelly, 76.

Guest Angelo Maffei, from Rovereto in northern Italy, described the Deepavali luncheon as a great way to truly appreciate the unique culture of sharing and diversity in a multiracial society.

“We usually celebrate Christmas only with very close family members,” he said.

Frenchman Regis Damour, who has lived in Malaysia since 1983 and is married to Suriyabraba’s cousin, said he had grown accustomed to such celebrations.

“I continue to savour Deepavali and all the other festivals in colourful Malaysia – something unique in the world,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Bilal Ahmad, an Indian national from Jammu and Kashmir, saw such gatherings as a way of fostering peace and harmony across different races and religions.

For Indonesian Benny Handayana and local guest Raja Hazman Raja Shamsul, it was a first-time experience, and they appreciated the hosts’ effort in providing halal fare.

A life shaped by golf

Raja Kelly has spent 56 years in golf as a caddie, player and coach. He is currently the resident golf professional at the Civil Service Golf Club in Bukit Kiara, having served in similar roles at various clubs over the years.

He grew up on Jalan Kia Peng in the home of his late father, former national registration department director A J Karuppiah, near what is now the city centre in KL.

“We later moved to Kampung Pandan where I studied at SMK St Gabriel’s until Form Three. I grew up fascinated with the activities at the Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC), just a stone’s throw from my home and school.

“That is when I decided to try my hand at being a caddie from age 15 after school hours, which not only gave me good pocket money but launched my career in golf,” he recalled.

Eventually, RSGC’s golf pro, Australian Mike Kelly, spotted his budding talent and adopted him as his godson. “He was the one who gave me the name Raja (shortened from Rajendera) Kelly!”

Mike sponsored him for a three-year comprehensive apprenticeship at RSGC, then one of the foremost golfing facilities in the country. “It taught me everything one needed to know about the game, management and coaching,” Raja Kelly recalled.

“I fell deeply in love with golf, which went on to shape my professional career, playing for the country and travelling around the world for international tournaments.”

After completing his apprenticeship, Raja Kelly went on to build a long career as a golf professional and coach. He later headed the Malaysian Golf Association’s national junior development programme, and also worked with the Federal Territory Sports Council and youth and sports ministry.

Representing Malaysia in the 1970s and ’80s gave him the opportunity to travel and meet personalities from around the world.

“I vividly remember representing Malaysia for the first time with M Ramayah at the Hong Kong Professional Golf Association championship in the ’70s,” he said.

“Most memorably, I played at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews, Scotland – the mecca of golf!”

After more than five decades in the sport, it is perhaps fitting that the same man who spent much of his life meeting people from around the world now sees Deepavali in much the same way – as another reason to bring people together, and to share the joy of friendship, family and fellowship.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.