2018 Sankrant in Mumbai

This year, we celebrated Sankrant in Mumbai. There has been a gradual decline in kite flying in Mumbai, but there are still pockets around Mumbai where kite enthusiasts live and fly. Some of these areas are around Malad, Borivili, Vile Parle, Santacruz and Masjid areas.

I was pleasantly surprised at the number of folks flying kites in Mumbai. It's after many years that I've spent Sankrant in Mumbai and it was worth it.

We bought kites from a shop outside Vile Parle West station. We got the big tailed Rajasthan artisans made kites. These kites have a large rounded tail that fuses into the body of the kite. These kites are really versatile, they handle well and are really good for kite fighting.

Some them turned out to be a bit light and did not turn well. But the one I flew on Saturday 13th was a wonderful blue and black kite  and I cut 10 kites with it, and remained undated.

 

We even got great manja (thread). This year, I got a little thicker manja (12 thread). It was really sharp and strong. 

My 11 year old son also flew with me this time. I bought him his own firki and he cut 6 kites. He was super excited to have won the kite duels. Other times he lost his kites and sometimes he did not even realize that the duel was on. It's all part of learning to survive in the sky. My wife helped him catch his firki and she flew some kites too. 

My dad who is 78 years old also flew with us. He taught me kite flying as a kid and I remember those days when he used to hold my firki for hours as I enjoyed my kites. Here's a photo of my father flying, I was so pleased to see he has not lost his touch. 

As we returned to the US, I got some of those broad tailed kites with me. In Minneapolis, where I live, we have the Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival. For those of you who don't live in cold weather, the lake freezes in winter and you can walk on it. In fact cars and trucks can also drive on the lakes once they are frozen. I intend to take some of my kites to fly on the lake this time. 

This year I did not take enough video footage to create a good video clip. Maybe next year. 

Kites flying is such a good sport - you get to go outdoors, improve your eyesight, sharpen your reflexes and look up into the beautiful, vast expanse of our universe. Go fly, soar high and have fun! 

Happy Sankrant 2012

It is unusually warm in Minnesota this year. In fact they have cancelled a winter kite festival where people fly kites on a frozen lake. The lake has not yet frozen. I was so looking forward to this year's winter kite festival. Well there is always 2013.

My son and me flew some kites Sunday morning. He is five and can already control the kite well. Here are some photos.

Wish you all a very happy Sankrant and off course happy kite flying.

Kay Po Che!

Fun kite flying at IndiaFest 2011

Kite flying at Camp Masala 2011

The 8th annual Camp Masala was held at St.Paul, Minnesota on the St.Thomas campus. About 70 kids gathered on a football field to fly kites.

Camp Masala created a great logo with a kite and a firki. I even had some chand taras ( the cresent moon) type kites that I bought along to give Maureen - the camp director. They even gave out til laddus - sesame seeds sweet balls.


It was a near perfect day for flying, with a light breeze and some clouds in the sky. Many of the kids parents too flew with them and they all had a great time. Kids from as far as Alaska and Chicago as well as from around Minneapolis attended the camp.








I taught the kids the fighter kite victory cry - "Kay Po Chee". All 70 kids screaming at the same created quite a reverberation.

And here's a photo of Manas - my four year old son and Amita, my wife. Manas was able to get a kite off the ground all by himself, I was so proud of him. My pareents and sister were also there and my father enjoyed teaching the kids to fly. What a wonderful time we had.