International kite festival concludes

Mangalore, January 23: On Sunday, it was not sea and the shore at Panambur, instead it was sea and oceanic crowd on the shore along with hundreds of kites flying high adding to the happiness of the crowd who had gathered to have a glimpse of them.

Sunday being a holiday, people came as families bringing along elders to kids to enjoy the rare lavish spectacle that happens at Panambur beach-the International Kite Festival. While the kites of different shapes and sizes flew high resembling the aspirations of the hands flying them, Panambur beach took a look of a gala fair.

To cater to the flowing crowd, several shops had come up. While some plush make-shift restaurants flaunted cozy couches served hot, creamy coffee, sandwiches and burgers, there were couple of ice cream stalls helping the crowd to beat the heat. Rest of the smaller shacks sold sugar cane juice, Manchurians, Kebabs, biryanis and even masala powders. Churmuri and groundnut vendors were busy calling on their potential customers, making brisk business during the festival.

In a beauty lounge, couples of artists were busy drawing portraits of their subjects while some drew beautiful mehndi designs on their customers.

Kids were busy checking the market available for them. A stall selling kites saw highest buyers. From elderly to youth to kids everyone thronged at this stall to pick kites for themselves. While designer kites flew high, tiny kites of plastic made appearances all over. While children jumped on the sand to make their kite fly, elders returned to relive moments of childhood by attempting to try their hands on kite flying.

“Kite flying is not very popular in this region, but as a child, I got an opportunity to live in old Delhi for three to four years. It was there that I learnt the art of making and flying kite. I was a mediocre in the art, but I seemed excellent here in Mangalore because not many of my counterparts knew kite flying,” says Sanjeeva Nayak, a businessman in his late 60s.

As many as seven nations- Netherlands, Indonesia, South Korea, UK, France, Kuwait and Lebanon took part in the fest.

Otto Vassen, the participant from the Netherlands was seen interacting with the crowd by handing over the thread of his kite to the individuals in the crowd asking them to fly it. Lot of people enjoyed this nature of Vassen because everyone, deep down their hearts wanted to fly the big, beautiful kites in the arena.

Bob from UK said that the wind at Panambur beach on Sunday evening was favourable for kite flying because it was simply subtle enough to keep the kite safe intact in the air.

“One fascinating thing about flying kite in India is that the space around the arena is never empty. There is cheering crowd all around the arena, which adds to any kite flier's passion. It is an adrenaline for any flier,” says Bob, who feels that Team Mangalore's kites are the best because it always showcases Mangalore's culture.

The paper kites made by special kids from Chetana, Mangala Jyoti, Saanidhya and Abhaya Ashraya Mangalore were displayed at the venue. The paintings on the kite spoke eloquently on the feelings of the special children, their wish for peace, tranquility and greenery on earth. The section really upheld the theme of the festival-“One sky, one earth, one family.'

For the first time in India, night kite flying was held using high power beams. Colourful kites embellished black background of sky, adding to the glory of the event.

Some groups were even seen making sand art at the venue, which too bagged good response.

All in all, the kite show ended on Sunday but the memory of the paper falcons' ballet in the sky will live for long, only to be replaced by the fresh kites of next year.