Patangbazi continues to paint the sky with motely colours, reflecting varied expressions
Way back in 1927, when we were chained by British imperialism, the freedom fighters floated hundreds of kites in the sky with the words, “Go Back Simon”
Patangbaazi or kite-flying is an ancient tradition of India, particularly Delhi. It is believed that it had been a socio-cultural tradition of Delhi at least for the last 500 years. The scene of kite-flying is also found in the ancient miniature paintings of the Mughal era. And this recreational activity continues with full vigour in Delhi even today, particularly around the Independence Day.
Yes, come August, the skyline of Delhi undergoes a beautiful transformation with thousands of tiny-dots of manifold colours gliding under the vast blue canopy. These tiny-dots are patangs. They, indeed, create a riot of colours in the sprawling sky. With the gush of air, those coloured dots move right and left, up and down, reflecting freedom of expression.
Way back in 1812 when Phool Waalon Ki Sair started in Delhi, hundreds of people took to flying kites to welcome the Mughal Prince Mirza Jahangir back to Delhi from his years of exile in Allahabad. It is an interesting tale to tell. Mirza Jahangir, son of Mughal badshah Akbar Shah II, had fired upon Sir Archibald Seton, the British Resident in the Red Fort, whom he did not like. The bullet missed Sir Archibald but killed one of his bodyguards. For this, the Shahzada was exiled to Allahabad. His mother Queen Mumtaz Mahal Begum was totally distraught and vowed that as and when her son returned to Delhi, she would offer a floral chadar at the Dargahof Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki at Mehrauli (a place that continues to exist in Delhi).
After three years, when Shahzada Mirza Jahangir was released and came to Delhi in 1812, his mother offered the chadar, while hundreds of Delhi-wallahs flew kites to celebrate his return. The offering of chadar turned into an annual traditional event called Phool Waalon Ki Sair, in Delhi. Even today, colourful kites sail in the sky on the occasion of Phool Waalon Ki Sair marking Patangbaazi a matter of uninterrupted tradition of 204 long years.
Patangbaazi and a few localities of Delhi grew together
Though Patangbaazi is common to entire Delhi, there are certain old pockets of the metropolis, which have grown synonymous with it. These localities of Delhi include Chandni Chowk, Daryaganj, Hundson lines, Kingsway Camp and lal Kuan.
When we talk of lal Kuan, we are referring to the main manufacturing hub of Patang or kites, thread with Manjha and the wooden wheel that controls the movement of the Patang. This particular locality within the Walled City that was once known as Shahjahanabad, had been the main bazaar for anything and everything concerning the kites for centuries together. lal Kuan has numerous kite shops, in the business for several generations; many are existing for even five generations. The current owners would tell you a very interesting fact, which they heard from their ancestors – “There used to be competitions of kite flying between zaminders and nawabs in the olden days”. like the olden days, the kite-flying competitions continue to remain in force in Delhi. And now that the 70th Independence Day is again round the corner, all the passionate kite flyers could be seen indulging in the sport. One could find them flying kites in big lawns and on roof tops. Hardly anybody knows that there are about 150 kite-flying clubs who regularly hold these competitions, especially around the Independence Day.
