Sadaiyan Paiyan

TWO CHINESE BOYS sharing their love on Indian Culture.

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Meet the Paiyans!

Sadaiyan Paiyan literally means “Chinese Boys” in Tamil. This Malaysian cultural brand began at a cha sat (Chinese restaurant), when Kelvin turned to John and asked, “What if we sold drinks at Batu Caves for Thaipusam?” One wild question later, Sadaiyan Paiyan was born.

Johnny Paiyan and Kelvin Paiyan in Sadaiyan Paiyan shirts

The boys showed up.

With a trolley from Mr. DIY, cooler box, hand-painted signs and more hope than planning, the boys rolled into the unfamiliar ground and honestly, we were nervous (takut kena belasah). BUT people met us with patience, jokes and genuine warmth.

Kelvin hand-painting signs on the trolley and coolers before Sadaiyan Paiyan opened

We served Kok Fa.

Our home-brewed Chrysanthemum drink and a few broken Tamil phrases turned strangers into friends. Before long, our little Thanni Kadai had found its crowd when we started pushing and selling around.

Kelvin at the Sadaiyan Paiyan Thanni Kadai with coolers of chrysanthemum drink

We sold out.

Bottle by bottle, we sold out and left with more respect, fewer assumptions and a community we want to keep serving dei!

A joyful Sadaiyan Paiyan celebration in the Thaipusam crowd

What stays with us

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:39

That is the heart of Sadaiyan Paiyan: sharing culture with curiosity, humour and respect, even when our faiths differ.