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International Kite Festival in Gujarat – Uttarayan

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For the dish, see Pongal (dish).

Every year, Gujarat celebrates more than 2,000 festivals, The International Kite Festival -Uttarayan- is one of the most important of them all [1] . Nowadays, months before the festival, homes in Gujarat begin to manufacture kites for the festival. The festival of Uttarayan marks the day when winter begins to turn into summer, according to the Hindu calendar. It is the sign for farmers that the sun is back and that harvest season is approching. It is called Makar Sankranti. This day is considered to be one of the most important harvest day in India. Many Gujurat cities organized kite competition between their citizens, and they all compete to their neighbors. In this region of India, Uttarayan is such a huge celebration that it has become a local holiday for two days. [2] During the festival, local food such as Undhiyu (a mixed vegetable including yam and beans), sesame seed brittle and Jalebi is served to the crowds [3][4]. Days before the festival, the market is filled with participants buying their supplies. In 2012, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat mentioned that the International Kite Festival in Gujarat was attempting to enter the Guiness World Records book as 42 countries were participating that year [5].

International Kite Festival in Gujarat – Uttarayan
International Kite Festival in Gujarat 2012
Dates14th January, Every Year.
Years active1989–present
Websitewww.gujarattourism.com

Location

The International Kite Festival takes place in Gujarat India. The festival is called Uttarayan. The festival is celebrated in many cities of Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Nadiad. However, the International Kite Event takes place in Ahmedabad (Kite capital of Gujarat) which accommodates visitors from many international destinations. [6]

The best place to enjoy this festival is the Sardar Patel Stadium (the cricket stadium with capacity of over 54,000 people) [7] or the Ahmedabad Police Stadium, where people lay down to see the sky filled with thousands of kites [8] [9].

During the festival week the markets are flooded with kite buyers and sellers. In the heart of Ahmedabad, there is one of the most famous Kite market Patang Bazaar, which during the festive week opens 24 hours a day with buyers and sellers negotiating and buying in bulk [10]. Moreover, many families in Ahmadabad start making kites in home and setup small shops in their home itself[11].

There is also a Kite Museum, which is located at Sanskar Kendra in Paldi area of Ahmedabad. It was established in 1985, which allowed them to collect number of unique kites[12].

Dates

The festival takes place on 14th January of each year during the Makar Sankranti and continues until the 15th of January. This date marks the end of winter and the return of a more clement weather for farmers of the Gujarat region. It is also public holidays in this district of India so that everyone can take part in the celebration.

History

The symbolism of this festival is to show the awakening of the gods from their deep sleep. Through India's history, it is said that India created a tradition of kite flying due to the kings or Nawabs who found the sport entertaining and as a way to display their skills and power. It began as being a sport for kings, but over time, as the sport became popular, it began to reach the masses. Kite flying has been a regional event in Gujarat for several years. However the first International Festival was celebrated in 1989 when people from all across the globe participated and showcased their innovative kites.[13] [14] In the recent 2012 event, The International Kite Festival was innaugrated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of Governor Dr Kamla.

Participants

Pile of colored kites, prepared for the Uttarayan festival

Although the idea of flying kites to celebrate Uttrayan was introduced by Muslims from Persia, today regardless of your background or beliefs, you are welcome to fly kites with everyone else in Gujarat in January. Most visitors arrive from around India, from Gujarat itself or another state. In major cities of Gujarat, kite flying starts as early as 5 am and goes until late night where approximately 8-10 million people participate in the whole festival.[15]

However, many visitors are international who come from around the world, such as Japan, Italy, UK, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, France, China, and many more to take part in the celebration.

The kite festival has been strongly influenced by its international participants, in the recent events, for instance: [16]

  • Malaysia brought wau-balang kites
  • Indonesia brought llayang-llayanghave
  • USA brought ginat banner kites
  • Japan brought rokkaku fighting kites
  • Italy brought Italian sculptural kites
  • Chinese brought Flying Dragon kites

At the same time, the festival is the occasion for many public entities such as famous dancers, singers, actors or politicians who make an appearance and entertain the population. In 2004, for example, the beautiful and distinguished Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla was part of the celebration and performed a Garba (dance) which is very popular in India. [17]

Types of Kites

During the event, kite markets are set up alongside food stalls and performers. The kites are usually made with materials such as plastic, leaves, wood, metal, nylon and other scrap materials but the ones for Uttarayan are made of light-weight paper and bamboo and are mostly rhombus shaped with central spine and a single bow [18]. Dye and paint are also added to increase the glamour of the kite. The lines are covered with mixtures of glue and ground glass which when dried, rolled up and attached to the rear, also known as firkees, become sharp enough to cut skin [19]. These types of sharp lines are used on fighter kites known in India as patangs to cut down other kites during various kite fighting events. During the night, on the second day of the festival, illuminated kites filled with lights and candles known as tukals or tukkals are launched creating a spectacle in the dark sky [20].

List of Other Kite Festivals

The Blossom Kite Festival also known as Smithsonian Kite Festival on Washington Monument D.C. in the U.S.A., 03/31/2012

Kite is a real part of the culture in Asia, that is why most of the kite festivals around the world take place in this area. Here are the Most Popular Kites Festival of the World [21] :

References

  1. ^ Subhamoy, Das. "Uttarayan & the Kite Festival of Gujarat". Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  2. ^ Subhamoy, Das. "Uttarayan & the Kite Festival of Gujarat". http://www.about.com/. Retrieved 24 October 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Desai, Anjali (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India: India Guide Publication. p. 66. ISBN 9780978951702.
  4. ^ "International Kite Festival Ahmedabad". Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  5. ^ Sahu, Deepika. "Gujarat kite festival to go global". Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  6. ^ Nairita (Thursday, January 12, 2012). "Ahmedabad sky thrilled with colourful kites, Modi spellbound". http://www.oneindia.in/. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |newspaper= (help)
  7. ^ "Sardar Patel Stadium Ahmedabad". Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  8. ^ Aggarwal, Priya. "International Kite Festival Gujarat 2012". Travel Events.
  9. ^ "Unusual Sports from Around the World". Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Uttarayan International Kite Festival Gujarat". Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  11. ^ "Kite Museum". Retrieved 4 November, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ "About Kite Museum". Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  13. ^ "International Kite festival". Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  14. ^ Subhamoy, Das. "Uttarayan & the Kite Festival of Gujarat". About.com Guide. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  15. ^ Aggarwal, Priya. "International Kite festival". Travel Events. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  16. ^ CNN (15). "Uttarayan: International Kite Festival in Gujarat". CNN GO. Retrieved 24 October 2012. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help); Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  17. ^ Deccan, Herald. "International Kite Festival, Ahmedabad". http://www.carnetdevol.org/ published Tuesday 13 january 2004. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "Kite Basics". http://www.drachen.org/. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Herald, Deccan. "International Kite Festival Ahmedabad (Gujarat - Inde)". Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  20. ^ "FAIRS & FESTIVALS OF AHMEDABAD". Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  21. ^ "5 Most Popular Kites Festival of the World". http://www.thetravel-guide.com/ published August 19, 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Malcolm, Goodman. "JAPANESE KITE HISTORY 1". Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  23. ^ Liu, Zhiping. "Distinctive Features of the 28th Weifang International Kite Festival". www.weifangkite.com. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  24. ^ "Pangandaran International Kite Festival 2012". http://indonesia.travel/ published August, 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ "Blossom Kite Festival". http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/ published March 31, 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ Bob Harris. "Bali Kite Festival". http://www.dancingfrog.net//. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Avril Baker. "Bristol International Kite Festival". http://www.kite-festival.org.uk/. Retrieved 3 November 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
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