'Mek Kelate Mek Manis' - East Coast state's unlikely cultural ambassador

 

By all accounts, Thanaletchumi Govindasamy - better known online as “Mek Kelate Mek Manis” - may be amongst the most recognisable gastronomic social media personalities from Kelantan.

With her fluent Kelantanese accent and a knack for enthusiastic reviews, the 48-year-old Tamil influencer has amassed an online following that stretches way beyond the East Coast state’s borders.

Yet behind the viral videos lies a lesser-known story.

Long before she became an influencer, Thanaletchumi spent 19 years working as a caretaker and educator for children with special needs at a learning centre in Kelantan.

Known affectionately as “cikgu” by her local community, she dedicated much of her adult life to helping these children develop life skills and support outside formal education settings.

It was a role that reflected what Thanaletchumi describes as her lifelong passion: helping people.

Although simple, little did she know that the humanitarian streak within her would eventually lead to a calling far beyond the classroom.

Community head

In 2019, she was appointed by the Kelantan state government as a community head representing the Indian community in the Tanjung Mas constituency, while also serving as a “cyber unity agent” of the state.

Although the position carries political associations, Thanaletchumi said she sees it as an extension of her long-standing community work, which she considers central to her identity.

“I’m not really interested in politics. I just like helping people. I’ve been very active in NGOs.

“If you look at my social media, you won’t really see me as a politician. You’ll see me more as an influencer or content creator,” she said.

Thanaletchumi added that her focus has always been on community engagement, particularly in promoting unity and cultural understanding in Kelantan.

“That’s always been what my interest really is. Fostering unity in the community, introducing Kelantan’s culture and food. That’s what my vision is.”

Kelantan and beyond

Today, many Malaysians know her through a different platform: social media.

What first began as casual TikTok food reviews later evolved into a powerful channel for cultural storytelling.

Encouraged by friends to showcase Kelantan's food and lifestyle, Thanaletchumi started producing content entirely in the local dialect, overcoming her initial shyness about appearing on camera.

Despite this hesitance, she quickly realised that as a non-Muslim, her reviews of traditional staples like budu and ulam offered a unique perspective that people rarely saw.

“Furthermore, I think what makes my content unique is that I’m Indian from Kelantan. When they only hear my voice, people would assume I’m Malay. They don’t realise I’m Indian (due to my accent),” she said.

Banking on this standout quality, Thanaletchumi expanded her content beyond food reviews to offer audiences a glimpse into everyday life in Kelantan, a view that often contrasts the stereotypes circulating online.

Thanaletchumi revealed that she often receives messages from visitors, including non-Muslims, who express initial concerns about travelling to Kelantan due to misconceptions about the state’s social environment.

Rather than responding with arguments, Thanaletchumi invites them to experience Kelantan for themselves.

Many who eventually visit are surprised by what they find, a multicultural society where people of different races regularly interact, share meals, and participate in each other's daily lives.

“Some of them do come, and after seeing Kelantan, they like it so much that they don’t want to leave.

“Initially, what they knew about Kelantan was through hearsay, but when they saw it with their own eyes, how communities in Kelantan interact - Malays, Chinese, Indians - they became amazed,” she said.

Food as metaphor of unity

Just as gastronomic experiences are central to her content, Thanaletchumi said food provides an apt metaphor for life in Malaysia.

She pointed to the distinct components of rice, egg and sambal that make up Malaysia’s national dish - nasi lemak.

Although completely different, together they create something complete. Remove one ingredient and the dish loses part of its character.

Likewise, she believes Malaysia’s strength lies in its diverse, multicultural ethnic groups.

It is the same philosophy that resonates strongly with her audiences, with many regarding her as a fresh and authentic glimpse of multicultural life in Kelantan.

“The message I’m delivering, people can accept it. So far, there haven’t been any criticisms or negative comments at all.

“Many people tell me that they like my content because I speak the truth. But that’s just my character. What you see in real life is the same as what you see on social media,” she said.

While outsiders may view Kelantan through the prism of political or racial stereotypes, Thanaletchumi invites her audience to look beyond such perceptions and appreciate the everyday realities that are often overlooked.

Through her videos, she hopes to remind Malaysians that, much like a well-made nasi lemak, the country is strongest, and perhaps most flavourful, when its many communities come together. - Mkini