Farhan Israeli / Jaipur
Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh of Jaipur who ruled from 1835 to 1888, adopted kite flying as a royal tradition. It soon caught up with the common people and remains so to date.
Kite flying on the festival of Makar Sankranti which marks the transition of the sun's transition from southern to northern hemisphere, is a strong tradition of the city across communities and religious denominations.
While on one hand, kite flying is a means of entertainment, on the other hand, it also holds cultural and religious significance in many places.
In Jaipur, kite flying not only has a historical significance but has also been a symbol of communal unity and harmony.
On this day, colorful kites flying in the sky not only decorate the blue sky of Jaipur but also present an example of Ganga-Jamuni , inclusive culture.
Kite flying is a tradition among Hindu and Muslim communities and brings them together.
The Handipura Bazaar, located in the old city of Jaipur has a 150-year-old kite market. On the day of Sankranti, the shops of this market are decorated with colorful kites, which fly in the sky throughout the day. It's mostly the Muslims who are engaged in the making and sale of kites in Handipura Bazar.
Jaipur's kite makers consider it an art form and they use traditional methods in making kites. Kites are made from materials like paper, bamboo sticks, thread and refined flour. It can take a day to make a kite. Four to five people work together in this process.
The art of kite making has been passed down from family to family for centuries, and many artisans have devoted their entire lives to the profession.
The variety of kites sold in Jaipur is amazing. Some shopkeepers even sell kites with celebrity faces on them.
Abdul Ghafoor Ansari, 73, a retired government employee, says he has made kites with pictures of freedom fighters and international personalities, apart from royal families. He now has a large collection of kites with faces of many important leaders and celebrities. He says he does it not as a business but as a hobby and he wants to pursue this art for life.
Nowadays, the kite flying business is not limited to the local market only. Jaipur kite makers now supply their kites through online platforms. Jaipur kites have become very popular abroad as well, and kites imported from countries like Thailand, China are also sold in Jaipur.
Abdul Hameed, who runs his shop in Handipura, says that he has a wide range of foreign kites, including kites of dragons, fairies and cartoon characters. These kites are sold from Rs 200 to Rs 5000.
Mohammad Shahid, a resident of the Ajmeri Gate area of Jaipur, has been making kites for the last 70 years. He learned this art from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He says that about 900 kites are made from one rim of paper.
Shahid's family is carrying forward this traditional art, and now they prepare 3 to 4 lakh kites during the Makar Sankranti season. The kites made by them are in demand among politicians, ministers, and VIPs too.
Every year, the tourism department in Jaipur organises a special kite flying festival on the lakeside of the Jal Mahal Palace in which the whole city participates. The aim of this kite festival is to promote local artisans and traders, as well as to boost tourism by promoting this colourful and interesting sport.
The kite flying tradition of Jaipur is not just a means of entertainment but has become a symbol of the communal unity and harmony of the city. This tradition of kite flying reflects the Ganga-Jamuni culture of Jaipur and is an important part of the social and cultural life of this city.
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The contribution of the artisans of the kite making community is vital in keeping this art alive, and the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Jaipur with collective enthusiasm and colourful kites, reflecting the diversity and harmony of the city.
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