Flying kites on Independence Day!
Here is wishing all fellow Indians a very happy independence day. In Delhi, there is a (fast dying) tradition of flying kites on this day. Unlike in the US, where flying kites is a purely recreational beach activity, we fly figher kites with special glass laden thread called manjha. I used to be an ardent kite fier in school and college days. Even then, there used to be a lot more kites in the sky. But in the last 10 years, we have almost completely lost this art form. For example, today there were hardly 10 kites in the sky where I live. So when I went up on the terrace, there wasn't much competition for a kite flying pro like me (even if I say so myself :)) We ended up cutting 7 kites and lost just 1 kite in return. There was a strong breeze and since I prefer heavy fighter kites, two of my fingers got bruised from the manjha. But bruised fingers are mark of a true kite flier.
Flying fighter kites is an art. There is lot of strategy involved in a kite fight. The weight of your kite, its stability, the sharpnes and strength of your thread and your own skill all matter. In general, heavier the kite, the better it is. Contrary to common perception, very stable kites are not very suitable for kite fights. Stable kites simply keep going up in altitude. So its hard to get your kite to swoop down quickly for attack. There was a time when I used to spend hours on the terrace flying kites. I used to actually go to old Delhi to a place called Lal Kuan to buy special manjha. I even made some kites of my own. Looking back, I think kite flying is the only thing that I had been truly passionate about before Tekriti. It is unfortunate that I dont get enough chances to pursue it more. But at least, it is good to know that I still haven't lost all of my old touch ;-)
Comments
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Well firstly belated birthday wishes. Guess I can just pop in some day for the party :p.
Kite flying - is something I really wanted to do today, but for the lack of wind, kites and a willing instructor.
Posted by: Twilight Fairy | August 16, 2006 01:41 AM
Ahh,
I too was missing flying kite today.
In gujarat, there is festival called Uttarayan (on 14th of jan.) When people just go mad. Even in nitght kites flies.
And bad part thousands of birds get killed.
Did you ever tried 3-D kite? It demands more space and winds.
Posted by: Paavani | August 16, 2006 02:49 AM
Well with the Metro (which runs on high voltage power lines) now in Delhi, and the number of power outages due to the 'manjha' causing a short circuit on the power lines, I think Kite Flying will slowly be banned in Delhi. It's not only a hazard to the lives of many, but also, it can also cause severe loss to commuters time.
BTW at least you saw 10 kites in the sky, here in Gurgaon sighting one was difficult. Ah..the joys of urbanization!!
Posted by: Manish | August 16, 2006 02:34 PM
Happy Independence Day to you too!
Where are the pictures of the fight? :-)
Posted by: Santosh | August 16, 2006 03:20 PM
Was kite flying your only other passion? Aisa mat bol yaar Gaurav.. you might remember the freezing.. refrigrator.. anytime.. that you mentioned about during that Vegas trip.. the video still lurkes around somewhere....
Posted by: VJ | August 16, 2006 09:56 PM
Have you been in Gujarat in Utarayan(14-15 January)?
If you are fighter kite lover and never been here then I say it’s like Indian cricket lover and never watched India-Pakistan match. If you think you are expert then come here and experts here will give you run for your money.
People just got mad here in Utarayan.
Many town and cities are more famous in Gujarat for this.
We have 2 kinds of fights here one with ‘dhil’ and ‘khech’. In ‘dhil’ weight of kite and stability of kite is important and in ‘kheck’ agility of kites, moderate weight and skill of kite flyer is more important. Overall skill is more important in kite fights.
I can’t describe it in details here but it’s awesome here. Here is Ahmedabad in old city area there is war like atmosphere on Utarayan. Many enthusiastic prepare for it over a month.
Posted by: Piyush Patel | August 16, 2006 11:36 PM
Hey Gaurav, you took me back many decades to my wonderful childhood in India. Our manjha was devilishly concocted by using crushed glass mixed with glue to create a razor sharp "dhaaga" to slit the throats of the all the enemies in the sky. We climbed up to our roof top and went to war against all the other kids launching their kites from their rooftops. The sky would be dotted with hundreds of kites in aerial dogfight and hundreds of screaming kids fighting for air supremacy. How politically incorrect! What fun!
Posted by: Sarat | August 17, 2006 06:33 AM
I remember making a kite with a newspaper once. It was no fighter but flew pretty well.
Posted by: Sarat | August 17, 2006 06:45 AM
Thanks TF. Kite flying can not be learnt in a day. It takes years of sweat and hundereds of torn kites :)
Paavani/Piyush - I would so love to visit Gujarat for Utaraya!. I agree I will be quite out of my league there as far as kite fights go! I followed the more traditional "dheel" strategy this time because the wind speed was good, I was flying heavy "guddas" and in most cases I was able to swoop in from below. I wish my kite flying was limited to just 2 hours on 15th august!
Manish - I think a lot of kites were flying on the old gurgaon side. You have to cross NH8 to catch the action!
Santosh - same to you! No photos man. There is no time for photos in the middle of a tense battle ;-)
Sarat - I have never prepared my own manjha. That seems like a lot of hard work. The sad part is that the whole concept of "looting" kites is gone. I saw a kite fall right in the middle of the road and not a single kid went after it. Really sad!
VJ - dude, jog your memory. That video doesnt feature me ;-) I doubt if its still around though. Good times man!
Posted by: Gaurav | August 18, 2006 01:39 AM
I wasn't a pro at flying kites but surely one with holding the spindle (huchka) for my cousin as a child... your post took me back to my childhood days... and to Gurgaon... There wasn't a single kite here in Hyderabad.
I'm missing Gurgaon for a lot of reasons!
P.S.
Belated happy b'day - came to know from the posts :)
Posted by: Tushar | August 18, 2006 11:58 PM
Just came across your blog when looking for R2I experiences. I am returning to India (to IBM IRL Delhi) after spending several wonderful years in US.
All the best in your ventures. Will keep track of your blog from now on ;-)
Posted by: Ullas | August 20, 2006 07:15 AM
Tushar, flying kites on i-day is a tradition unique to Delhi. You have just left Gurgaon - too early to start missing it already! Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Ullas - all the best for your R2I. Feel free to write to me if you need any help here in Delhi. Maybe we can catch up once you are here. I am assuming you are joing the IRL in IIT-Delhi?
Posted by: Gaurav | August 20, 2006 05:07 PM
GIVING FREE REIN TO A KITE IS NOT JUST A FUN FILLED ACTIVITY BUT IS A CELEBRATION OF A DAY WHICH MAKES EVERY INDIAN PROUD. UNKNOWN PEOPLE GET A COMMON PLATFORM TO EXPRESS A SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS AND UNITY. INDIA IN DIFFERENT SHADES SCALES NEW HEIGHTS TO VANQUISH THE HORIZONS.
Posted by: tanya dogra | August 22, 2006 01:24 AM
Check out www.patang.tv... There is a trailer of kite flying that you may enjoy (a short music video for cornershop)
I am a filmmaker doing a feature narrative film (fiction) based during the festival of Uttarayan in Amhedabad.
Much of the film will be filmed during and surrounding the festival. Would love to hear your stories of kite flying - the memorable battles, fights that would happen, the special formulas for manja, the way you may have had to dodge your parents, flirting with girls on various rooftops, your favorite kites.
My email is prashant@prashant.tv
Posted by: Patang | October 1, 2006 05:12 PM
Check out www.patang.tv... There is a trailer of kite flying that you may enjoy (a short music video for cornershop)
I am a filmmaker doing a feature narrative film (fiction) based during the festival of Uttarayan in Amhedabad.
Much of the film will be filmed during and surrounding the festival. Would love to hear your stories of kite flying - the memorable battles, fights that would happen, the special formulas for manja, the way you may have had to dodge your parents, flirting with girls on various rooftops, your favorite kites.
My email is prashant@prashant.tv
Posted by: Patang | October 1, 2006 05:12 PM
Hi,
How is MANJHA made?
Does any one have a good recipe for making manjha?
I would like to what ingredients are in it and the process from start to finish of how its made. It has been a long lost hobby of mine and would like to learn.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Fighter | November 1, 2006 04:15 AM
I want addresses of wholesale kites and Superb manjha Makers of Rae Bareilly, Rajkot,
Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad.
Kindlysend the addresses if you have any because i am planning toopen a kite shop his season.
Posted by: Eber Vivek Kumar | August 30, 2007 09:54 PM
I want addresses of wholesale kites and Superb manjha Makers of Rae Bareilly, Rajkot,
Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad.
Kindlysend the addresses if you have any as soon as possible because i am planning toopen a kite shop his season.
My Email:ebervivek@yahoo.com
Posted by: Eber Vivek kumar | September 30, 2007 10:14 AM
I want addresses of wholesale kites and Superb manjha Makers of Rae Bareilly, Rajkot,
Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad.
Kindly send the addresses if you have any as soon as possible because i am planning toopen a kite shop his season.
My Email:ebervivek@yahoo.com
Posted by: Eber Vivek kumar | September 30, 2007 10:16 AM
I can supply Hyderabadi Splecial Kites & Manjha Charaks. Starting from Smallest to the Largest and Guaranteed Manjha. If any one is interested in buying for personal use Kindly Mail me your requirements. If possible I will be displaying Kite Photos along with their sizes and Price.
Posted by: Eber Vivek Kumar | October 1, 2007 10:15 AM
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Posted by: Eber Vivek Kumar | October 1, 2007 10:42 AM
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Email:ebervivek@yahoo.com
Posted by: Eber Vivek Kumar | October 1, 2007 10:49 AM
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