Journalism of Courage
From colourful kites decorated with sketches of celebrities to imported cloth ones,the market is ready to welcome Makar Sankranti
The festival of Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of a new phase – it charges the atmosphere with celebration. As people greet each other with ‘Til gul ghya,godh godh bola’,another section of people add to the festivities by flying colourful kites. Though the festival is a few days away (January 14),kite sellers in the city claim that bulk orders and purchases have already begun.
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.
