Kite Making~Ahmedabad

Introduction:

Usage:

The usage of kites has not changed much over the years. They are flown extensively during festivals, mostly Uttarayan. The intention of flying is purely for recreation or as healthy competition. The fighter kites with sharp threads are used in competitions. The kites have also been seen quirkily used as wall decorations in present times.

Significance:

Indian fighter kites are bought with much care and scrutiny. Expert flyers are very particular about the right combination of the tautness of paper surface and the spring on the bamboo skeleton. Kite flying is an integral part of the Indian festivities, characteristically turning rooftops into bustling spaces with various families generously hosting kite fliers.

When the festival day approaches, more and more shops, which previously sold shoes or hardware, convert to kite stalls. Around the time of Uttarayan, the entire marketplace comes alive with colour and going to buy a kite becomes an occasion in itself. Apart from the innumerable colours and many shapes of kites, different types of Manja (strings), many other accessories are also sold. These include protection gear like tapes to protect fingers from the glass coated string and sunglasses to adhesive paper tapes for repairing kites to articles for pure entertainment such as blow horns, headgear and masks. Kite-making craft is also a source of seasonal employment with high returns where even a small pushcart or street corner is transformed into an instant kite shop.

Since 1989, Gujarat has been hosting the Gujarat International Kite Festival around the time of Uttarayan. Kite enthusiasts from all over the world come to display their skill and a variety of kites. The Gujarat government invites kite masters from all over- the world and display their best made kites too woo the awestruck crowd. Ahmedabad also houses a kite museum, which was established by Bhanubhai Shah who was a great connoisseur and collector of kites.

Myths & Legends:

Regardless of the theories of its origin, it is the wind that deserves the credit for this discovery. The legend has it that the hat of a Chinese farmer blown by the wind helped create the first kite.

Like the ancient Greeks, Indians too give importance to the sun as a god of intelligence and wisdom. Sankranti means transmigration of Sun from one zodiac in Indian astrology to the other. As per Hindu customary beliefs, there are 12 such Sankrantis in all. Derived from ancient Indian language, the word ‘Sankranti‘ is the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius (‘Dhanu’ Rashi) to Capricorn (‘Makara’ Rashi). In this case, the zodiacs are measured side-really, and not tropically, in order to account the Earth’s precession. That is why the festival falls about 21 days after the tropical winter solstice, which lies between December 20 and 23rd. This special day in mid-January marks the moment when the God Sun (Surya) begins its ascendancy and enters into the northern hemisphere.

Though there is not any religious belief behind the idea of flying kites. People fly kites on this day because by doing it unknowingly they receive the benefits of sun exposure. During winter, our body gets infected and suffers with cough and cold and rough skin and many other common diseases like bronchitis and sinusitis due to the cold climate during this season. So when on January 14 the sun enters into northern hemisphere, it terminates the cold winter season bringing along warmer spring days. Its rays act as medicine for the body. Coming in contact with direct sun and constantly being exposed to sunrays, automatically cures some of these diseases and eradicates most of the infections and insanitation, as sunlight is said to have great healing power and tremendous health benefits.

History:

Kites were been brought into India by Muslim traders or Buddhist religious pilgrims coming from China to obtain sacred texts. Most people believe that kites were first brought into India by Chinese travellers, Fa Hien and Hiuen Tsang but from there the kites have taken their own evolutionary route in India. It has always had a special place in the history of India and some even believe that it dates back to the invasions of Mongols who converted to Islam. Therefore, even today it is Muslim community who make them.

As regards Indian literature, Manzan mentioned kites for the first time in Madhumati. They were called Patang. Here, the flight of a kite is associated with the loved one by a poet. Marathi poets Eknath and Tukaram also described kites in their verses where the word ‘vavdi’ has been used. In the book, The Complete World of Kites, Bill Thomas depicts that the kite played a vital role in an early territory battle between Hindus and Muslims.

In 1300 AD, the word ‘Gurdhi‘ meaning ‘kite’ was first used in a Hindustani song by the composer Santnambe. The word ‘Patang’, a generic term for ‘kite’, was used by the poet Manzan in many of his poems during 1542 AD. The rulers or the Nawabs of Lucknow used to fly their kites from their palace rooftops with a small purse of gold or silver attached which was an incentive for the others to try cutting down the kite to retrieve the precious prize.

Sawai Ram Singh, the king of Jaipur, was also very fond of kites and commissioned a patang khana or kite factory in the 16th century to specially make kites for him. The fragile nature of Indian kites has prevented the survival of any of these old specimens today. We can only get a glimpse of them in the paintings of that time. There are some paintings from the 16th Century in the personal collection of H.H. Brigadier Bhawani Singh, erstwhile ruler of Jaipur, which show kites being flown in Jaipur during the visit of some Portuguese padres to the court of Sawai Ram Singh.

The Mughals encouraged high levels of craftsmanship and did not undermine the kite-making craft too. The Muslim community mostly dominates the craft and trade of the kites to this day. The spirit of maintaining quality while opening up to new markets keeps the kite makers relevant in the present times.

Makar Sankranti holds special significance as on this day the solar calendar measures the day and night to be of equal durations on this day. From this day onwards, the days become longer and warmer. It is the day when people of northern hemisphere, the northward path of the sun marks the period when the sun is getting closer to them. The Aryans who started celebrating this day as an auspicious day for festivities signified the importance of the day. The reason behind this may be the fact that it marked the onset of harvest season. Even in the epic of Mahabharata, an episode mentions how people in that era also considered the day as auspicious. Bhishma Pitamah even after being wounded in the Mahabharata war lingered on till Uttarayan set in, so that he can attain heavenly abode in auspicious times. It is said that death on this day to brings Moksha or salvation to the deceased.

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 the tradition of kite flying due to the kings and Royalties later followed by 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.

Design:

Simple geometric designs, stripes and circular or semicircular designs in contrasting colours are quite common. While the basic shape of the Indian kite remains largely unchanged from the diamond, there are subtle variations according to the region and requirement. With time, the surface decorations on kites have gone through a lot of changes with pictures of celebrities and politicians, musicians and sports stars, quotes and words becoming a part of the kite’s body. The kite paper used is now largely replaced with glittery and metallic coloured plastics, which last longer but harm the environment when they scar the city after the days of Uttarayan.

Parts of a kite ~ Irrespective of the variety of natural or synthetic materials used in its construction, parts of a kite are specific. These are: Sail, which is the covering material. Most kites have Bridle. Exceptions are those, which fly by attaching the flying line directly to a fixed point on the kite. Bridle is the set of fixed lines that attach to important points on the frame to hold the kite in a proper flying place. The third part is Frame, which consists of rigid materials. Sail and the bridle together create a frame with the help of wind. The fourth part is Line. This is the flying line to tether them into the wind.

Patang ~ This is the most common Indian kite. The height/width ratio is generally 1:1.2. A thin thread along the circumference of the kite reinforces its edges and the overlapping paper is glued back on to the sail. This is a tail-less kite. The tail is generally a small double triangular piece of tissue, pasted such that the bottom edge is flush with the level of the sail, with thin bamboo slivers along the outer edges for reinforcement.

Guddi  ~ Almost as popular as the patang, this variation generally has a height/width ratio in reverse -1.2:1. In other words, the kite is taller than it is wide. The tail in this kite is generally a small tassel of tissue paper.

Dedh Kanni ~ This is a little uncommon and is generally used in lower winds – The kite is significantly broader than the regular patang and the height/width ratio tends to be close to 1:1.5. It shares the triangular patch tail with its parent patang.

Tukkal ~ This shape is more akin to the Malaysian Wau than the patang and is almost never seen in Indian skies except at Kite Festivals. In Pakistan, though, it is still a popular design. Twin double-bows make this a very “heavy” kite and not many people possess the skill to fly it. Besides, the time and energy required making one; you wouldn’t like to lose it by risking it in a kite battle.

Flight Attitude ~ This flying device could be as huge as even more than 50 feet in diameter. Tethered to an anchor point that is either static or moving, its flight attitude is, that it should fly in a reasonably steady fashion at an angle of 15 degrees above the tether point for a sustained period. The movement is controlled in the wind direction with threads attached to it in a hand-held pin-roll. It is carried by the wind and kept afloat.

Challenges:

Safe working spaces to the worker of the kite strings has become an issue because of increased traffic and pollution. The wounding of birds and animals due to the sharp glass on the Manja has been a long-standing problem. The craft is harmful in the long run for the craftsmen itself since the minute glass particles are absorbed into the bloodstream while it is rubbed by hand into the threads, even though gloves and coverings are used. Addressing this without affecting the livelihood of the craftsmen has been a constant challenge.

Introduction Process:

The kites are made by cutting the paper and sticking it onto the bamboo stick frame with great concentration and immense skill acquired over experience. Manjha for the kite string is done by smearing the taut threads with a rice paste mixed with textile dyes and finely ground glass.

Raw Materials:

– Coloured paper/plastic
– Bamboo sticks
– Tape
– Glue- industrial adhesive such as Vajram
– Rice paste or Maida flour
– Powdered glass
– Dye
– Threads
– Coloring, Aluminum oxide, abrasive, looks white in Colour), Zirconia alumina, abrasive, looks Black in Colour)

Tools & Tech:

– Broad knives and blades about 7X2 inches to cut the paper

– Cutting boards

– Charkas or reels: to wind the threads

– Tape: to cover fingers while making Manja

Rituals:

About a month before Makar Sankranti, people start flocking market streets to start storing kites of varied kinds and tukkals. They buy Manja and start coating it over the days. This is a ritual, which without fail has supported the kite and Manja industry in Ahmedabad for decades in a row.

process:

The kites are made by cutting the paper and sticking it onto a bamboo stick frame with great concentration and immense skill, acquired over experience. Manjha for the kite string is done, by smearing the taut threads with a rice paste, mixed with textile dyes and finely ground glass.

The various parts of the kite come from different places. Every stage of the kite-making process is carried out by a different set of people. The only mechanical intervention would probably be the use of dye-cutters for cutting the paper in large quantities.

Making the kite – The paper workers work indoors, to avoid the breeze causing the papers to flutter around. They sit on low tables and precisely cut and place the light tissue paper that is used for kites. Thin strips of bamboo are bent and structured to form the frame. A thread is put at the edges of the kite for strength, then the frame is stuck to the paper and finally the tail and bits of paper to hold the frame are stuck to the kite. The glue used to stick the components of the kite is also homemade, with water and flour (Maida) paste as the main ingredients. The small tail section of the kite is made separately and pasted onto the bottom of the kite.

Making the Manjha or Kite strings –The basic ingredients are powdered glass, some colour and a binding agent – generally a cooked paste of wheat or rice flour. To this each Manja expert adds his own secret ingredients, which would make the string stronger and sharper such that it can slice through the other manjas in the sky. Water is boiled with the addition of vajram, to which is added a paste of Maida and finely powdered glass pieces to make a thick colloidal solution and the abrasives are added. The coloring is added, while stirring is continued to make a thick paste without the sedimentation of the glass and abrasives. The cotton thread is strung in eight or ten strands between two poles and the Manja maker walks up and down the length with the paste in his hands, finely coating the threads at each pass until the desired effect is achieved.

After coloring the threads are rolled on the ‘firkhi’. Coloring of the thread is done in two types.

– Either the dough is directly applied on white thread or,

– The thread is first dyed in color water and then dough is applied on the dyed thread. This makes the thread more strong and sharp.

Waste:

Paper wastes are very common during the process of kite making in Ahmedabad. These are used recyclable and used by industries, which require paper and/or make recycled or handmade paper.

But the most amount of waste gets accumulated in the streets after the day of Makar Sankranti with torn and damaged kites everywhere.

Cluster Name: Ahmedabad-Ahmedabad

Introduction:

Ahmedabad is a city in the state of Gujarat. This city is an eclectic blend of old and new, and lies on the banks of the river Sabarmati. It has stood witness to many rules from the Mughals to the Marathas and has been home to many famous nationalist leaders during the freedom struggle. This is resplendent with its beautiful architecture, arts and handicrafts.

History:

Around the 11th century, archaeological evidences state the existence of Ahmedabad by the name of Ashaval. Karandev I, the Solanki ruler of Anhilwara waged a war against the then Bhil king of Ashaval and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of river Sabarmati.

Gujarat was taken over by the Vaghela dynasty in the 13th century. It was soon seized by the Delhi sultanate in the 14th century. Soon during the early 15th century Muzaffar Shah I crowned himself the sultan of Gujarat after he detached himself from the Delhi sultanate. He founded the Muzaffarid dynasty which went on to rule till the Marathas came in during 1758. Ahmedabad derived its present name from Muzaffar Shah's grandson Ahmed Shah who ruled from 1411 AD. It went through a series of occupation by the Mughals and then back to the Muzzafarids till emperor Akbar set foot in 1573.

During the Mughal reign, Ahmedabad became one of the Empire's thriving centres of trade, mainly in textiles, which were exported as far as Europe. The Mughal ruler Shahjahan spent the prime of his life in the city, sponsoring the construction of the MotiShahiMahal in Shahibaug.

The Mughals surrendered the city to the Marathas in 1758. The British East India Company took over the city in 1818 during the Third Anglo-Maratha War. A major development took place in the year 1864, when railway line was laid that connected Ahmedabad with Bombay. These developments brought Ahmedabad on the map of leading centers of trade and manufacturing.

The Independence struggle and movements had seen a strong centre in Ahmedabad with the presence of Mahatma Gandhi who established the Kochrab Ashram near Paldi in 1915 and the Sabarmati Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati in 1917. It witnessed many protests like the Dandi salt march and the Quit India movement until India got its Independence in 1947.

During the 1960s a large number of educational and research institutions were founded in the city, making it a center of higher education, science and technology.

Ahmedabad has now flourished into a thriving city with strengthened infrastructure and economy and lived past the many trials and tribulations in the form of riots and natural calamities.

Geography:

Ahmedabad lies in the state of Gujarat at an elevation of 174 ft above sea level. It is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River. The Kankaria lake and the Vastrapur lake are the two manmade lakes within the city limits. Its longitude and latitude are 720º 41' E and 230º 1' N respectively.

By Air - The Sardar Vallabhai Patel Airport is just 10 kms from downtown Ellis Bridge/Ashram Road area. It functions for both domestic and international purposes. Direct Air India and Indian Airlines flights go to the Gulf and to other destinations through intermediate stations. Domestic flights on Air India, Indian Airlines/Alliance Air, Jet Airways and Gujarat Airways will take you to Delhi Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur and several other destinations within the country.

By Rail - Ahmedabad has a well maintained railway network connected to important destinations of the country. Ahmedabad railway station is the largest railway station in the state of Gujarat. Various express and super fast trains are available between Ahmedabad and important cities of the country.

By Road - Ahmedabad has a good network of roads also. National highways connect cities like Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Mumbai. The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) runs express and luxury deluxe buses to the neighboring towns and cities. One can reach the city by taxi from nearby cities.

Environment:

Ahmedabad has a hot, semi arid climate which is mostly dry throughout the year. The temperatures peak to 45 degrees Celsius in the summer months from March to June. The monsoons bring in relief from July to September with an average annual rainfall of 800 mm. The winters span from October to February bringing in mild chills with temperatures dipping to 10 degree Celsius.

Infrastructure:

Ahmedabad is a thriving city with its infrastructure matching upto many of the metropolitan cities. Ahmedabad is endowed with abundant supply of natural resources like minerals, forests and rivers. The principal mineral resource in the city includes crude oil. The river Sabarmati is the main water resource for the people of Ahmedabad. It provides drinking water to the entire city. There are two lakes present within the city's limits - Kankaria Lake and Vastrapur Lake. Kankaria Lake, in the neighborhood of Maninagar, is an artificial lake developed by the Sultan of Delhi. The city's forest cover is decreasing day by day due to rapid industrialization.

Ahmedabad city is an administrative headquarters of Ahmedabad district, administered by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The city's suburban areas are administered by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA). Electricity in the city is generated and distributed by Torrent Power Limited, owned and operated by the Ahmedabad Electricity Company, which was previously a state-run corporation. Ahmedabad is one of the few cities in India, where the power sector is privatised. The Sardar Sarovar Project of dams and canals has improved the supply of potable water and electricity for the city.

The city is equipped with health facilities both private and government aided. Ahmedabad hosts many prestigious educational institutions like the Indian Institute of Management, the National Institute of Design, CEPT etc.

Architecture:

Ahmedabad was once a fortified city. It has now grown beyond the old gates and walls. The city is divided by the Sabarmati River into two physically distinct eastern and western regions. The eastern bank of the river houses the old city, which includes the central town of Bhadra with the Bhadra fort. This part of Ahmedabad is characterized by packed bazaars, the pol system of close clustered buildings, and numerous places of worship. The colonial period saw the expansion of the city to the western side of Sabarmati, facilitated by the construction of Ellis Bridge in 1875 and later the modern Nehru Bridge. The western part of the city houses educational institutions, modern buildings, residential areas, shopping malls, multiplexes and new business districts.

Monuments and structures of the Indo-Saracenic style can be still found in Ahmedabad. The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is one such example. Many Havelis from this era have unique carvings and can be seen in the ancient pols of Ahmedabad. When the city stepped into the modern era it was honored with many world renowned architects like Louis Kahn, F.L.Wright, B.V Doshi and Le Corbusier who were commissioned to design many of the buildings like IIM, Calico Mills, Gandhi Ashram etc.

Culture:

The Gujarati culture is a vibrant and active one. Popular celebrations and observances include Uttarayan, an annual kite-flying day on 14 January. The nine nights of Navratri are celebrated with people performing Garba which is the folk dance of Gujarat at venues across the city. The festival of lights, Deepavali, is celebrated with the lighting of lamps in every house, the decorating the floors with the 'Rangoli' and the bursting of firecrackers. Other festivals such as Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Eid ul-Fitr and Christmas are celebrated with enthusiasm. The annual Rath Yatra procession on the Ashadh-sud-bij date of the Hindu calendar and the procession of Tajia during the Muslim holy month of Muharram are integral parts of the city's culture.

The people of Ahmedabad enjoy rich culinary traditions. The most popular form of their meal is a typical Gujarati thali (meal) consisting of rotli, dal, rice and Shaak (cooked vegetables, sometimes with curry), with accompaniments of pickles and roasted Papadums. Popular beverages include buttermilk and tea; sweet dishes include laddoos and mango.

People:

The major religions followed by the people are Hinduism, Jainism and Islam. The city is also home to a substantial population of Parsis. The traditional Gujarati dresses for women consist of the lehenga choli or the ghagra choli. These are colorfully embroidered and complemented by bare-backed blouses extending to the waist. Ghagras or lehengas are gathered ankle-length skirts that are fastened at the waist. The entire outfit is completed by a veil cloth called Odhni or dupatta which is thrown across the neck or over the head. Gujarati men usually attire themselves in dhoti, long or short coat and turban cap. The urban population, however, has progressed towards contemporary forms and sports the latest in fashion.

Famous For:

The kite festival of Ahmedabad is sight to behold. The festival marks the days in the Hindu calendar when winter begins turning to summer, known as Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan. Kites of all shapes and sizes are flown, and the main competition is to battle nearby kite-flyers to cut their strings and bring down their kites. Since 1989, the city of Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival as part of the official celebration of Uttarayan, bringing master kite makers and flyers from all over the world to demonstrate their unique creations and wow the crowds with highly unusual kites.

Navratri celebrations are another striking feature. The place erupts into a nine-night dance festival, perhaps the longest in the world. The dance form called Garba is followed where people dance around in circles uniformly to beats in the traditional steps.

The Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad is a site which is prominent in Indian history. It was the center of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent struggle for India's independence. The ashram is located on the banks of river Sabarmati and was established in 1917.

The Adalaj stepped well is a much visited architectural attraction of Ahmedabad. Built in 1499 by Queen Rudabai, wife of the Vaghela chief, Veersinh, this five-storey stepwell was not just a cultural and utilitarian space, but also a spiritual refuge. It is believed that villagers would come every day in the morning to fill water, offer prayers to the deities carved into the walls and interact with each other in the cool shade of the 'Vav' (well). Another remarkable feature of this step well is that out of the many stepwells in Gujarat, it is the only one with three entrance stairs.

Gallery

Craftsmen

List of craftsmen.

Documentation by:

Team Gaatha

Process Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Kite_Festival_in_Gujarat_-_Uttarayan
http://www.ahmedabadkiteflyers.org/kites-india-origine-history-definition/
https://docs.google.com
STRINGS OF A TIMELESS TRADITION – Morrison Skye, The Swadeshi Academic Council in Tamil Nadu, Mark Parkinson Published by the Government of Gujarat 2004

Cluster Reference: