Clouds overcastting the sky, chill prevailing in the air and the people mostly confining themselves indoors– it is how things can be described in Haridwar region ahead of Basant Panchami, a festival of kites and Saraswati puja. Basant Panchami is associated with the farming community. However, things would look up once the time of flying kites would come. It is one of the grand festivals which are celebrated with vim and vigour across the holy city, Haridwar.
“Kites of different colours, sizes and designs are available in the markets. The cost ranges from Rs2 to Rs100, depending on their sizes,” said Shakun Kumar Giri, a local kite-maker from the city. Since childhood he has been making kites, he said. Earlier, he used to make them for himself. Now, it is my profession, he added. Shakun further said that there are different types of papers like January paper, craft paper and patangi paper which are generally used. Now- a- days, plastic sheets and Chinese papers are also being used widely. Besides the papers, flexible and fine strips of bamboo are also needed to make kites. We paste things with glue/juice made of beal, a fruit which is stronger than Fevicol. The largest kite he has made so far is about twelve feet.
Another kite- maker Naman said that kite-selling starts in November and peaks on the day of Basant Panchami. long- length threads used for flying kites, commonly known as ‘Manjha’, come from Rampur and Bareilly districts of Uttar Pradesh. Kites flying high and higher in the firmament make one to identify oneself with it. “The higher it flies the happier the flier,” he said, adding that he is engaged in catering for party and functions when there is no sale of kites.