Soaring High

Set foot in Bohri Ali,Raviwar Peth,and one’s attention is drawn by those immersed in making kites,perfecting them to be displayed at the stores. “I’ve been doing this for the last 50 years now. Initially it was a part-time source of income for me. But now,all my energies are consumed in this art of making kites,” says Pandurang Galinde,a labourer at Kazi Patangwala. Galinde will continue using his skill to create colourful kites till his health permits,he says. “The preparations for this kite festival go on throughout the year. The demand for kites has increased in the last three years. Even now,enquiries for bulk orders have started pouring in,” says Muzzafar Kazi,owner,Kazi Patangwala.

The paper used to make the kites is sourced from Mumbai while the wood is brought from Kolkata. “A majority of the kites sold here are made at our workshop itself as it’s more feasible for us. Very few are procured from other places,” Kazi informs. The price of the kites ranges from Re 1 – Rs 1200.

New China-made kites are also in the market. “These kites are made out of cloth and the demand for them is also on the rise,” he adds. Huzefa Sayyed makes sketches on the kites here to make them more attractive. “Sketches of celebrities and eminent personalities on the kites instantly grabs the attention of the buyer,” he says.

A H Kolhapurwala,owner of Royal Patang Depot,too reiterates the rise in demand of kites. He elaborates on the various types of threads that are used for the manja. “Sanklichap and kala chand are the two varieties. The manufacturing of the manja is done in our workshop while the final product is sold at the depot,” he says. Ask him about the sale of kites in the city and he says,”It is only after the Salmaan-Aishwarya-starrer Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam that kite flying became a popular sport. Even television serials like Tarak Mehta ka oolta Chashma have popularised it. Puneities now look forward to this festival every year.”

One would think their business to be very seasonal. “That’s a misconception,” Kolhapurwala points out. “The business that takes off now goes on till May. Then comes Nag Panchami when the sales are at their peak,” he adds.