Kite flying in India is a major cultural activity. Traditionally it is boys and men that fly kites in India. The festival of Makar Sankranti, heralding the beginning of Spring, is the major kite event of the year.
Makar Sankrati celebrates the northward journey of the sun as it enters a new zodiac which coincides with the beginning of longer days of sunlight. The excitement of the coming of spring is celebrated in a number of ways: with food, family gatherings, street fairs, music and kite flying. As the winds change to herald the advance north of the sun, the winter sky bursts into colour with thousands of paper kites
Unlike kite festivals in North America and Europe which last anywhere from one to five days in one particular festival site or location, the kite flying in India that is associated with Makar Sankranti goes on in all towns and cities for several weeks.
A terrific background article on Makar Sankrati can be found on the Surf India travel website where the importance and origins of the festival are outlined. In addition, this site describes some of the regional differences of the celebration in major cities of India.
A magnificent slide show, entitled Flying Colours, about the kite flying during Makar Sankranti is found on the Rediff.com travel web site. The slide show is a must for kiters interested in understanding the role of kites in the culture of Indian. The marvelous photos capture the types of kites, significance and excitement of kite flying, the economic aspects of kites (building and selling) and the magic of the kite battles that occur at the end of each day from the roof tops of the cities.
For kiters interested in reading a wonderful account of the amazing kite flying from the roof tops of buildings in Ahmebad, you are referred to Kitelines, The Quarterly Journal of the Worldwide Kite Community: Summer 1989 Vol. 7, No. 3. In this journal are two excellent articles:
George Peters' amazing illustrations from the first article above capture the intensity and scope of the festival.
In the coming weeks there will be more postings aboout this amazing kite flying period in India.