Kerela Celebrates Kite Flying Festival

Life

oi-Suparna Chakaraborthy

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 9:20

Kite Flying which is a traditional practice in Gujarat has been adopted by the people of Kerala. It witnessed it's first ever kite festival. Kerala which attracts a lot of International tourists lured many more in this kite flying festival held at Kozhikode.

It was a three day event and tourists from all across the globe flocked together to celebrate it. One of the organisers said, "We have got Indonesians, UK, South Korea, Malaysia, Kuwait, Thailand, Dubai, Saudi Arabia kite-flyers ...these are the people who are around."

Along with participants from outside India, the locals were attracted to this game too. The festivals came a s a good break for everyone and also added something different to the regular festivals of Kerela.

"I think it is very important...it's not always obvious, but kite-flying is something you do outside of your working life. This is the extra that you work on for. So, you concentrate on the week, or maybe the weekend for work, and earn the money to live but then at the weekend you can indulge in your hobby. With me, it is actually a passion and not a hobby," said Koon.

The event also had kite-making workshops, a food festival, and cultural events on all the three days. Looking at the kind of response it got, the organisers have decided to celebrate the kite festival annually in Kerela.