14th January every year , any year and the sky is covered with millions of kites called PATANG.The entire of Gujarat comes to a standstill and the blue skyline is dotted with colourful , fancy, designer kites that would put the likes of D&G and Armani's to shame.It becomes the kite fashion capital of the world.
The families gather on all possible open spaces, and get the food, the kite sets and the special thread that sends them soaring high above in the skies waiting for the next contestant who would match the skills.There are children running blindly across the streets , some of them street urchins who make a quick buck from the kites that get cut and float down , some getting entangled in trees and overhead wires.Oblivious of the lurking dangers across the streets and inspite of potentially dangerous encounters with vehicles or falling off the ramp, people still are willing to take risks.The entire day and the following one too being a Sunday is eat,drink, wear glares and the best clothes and fly kites to the latest numbers belted out on the MP3 systems.This is a sight to watch.
People take advance salaries, time their incentives to splurge on buying kites.40 million dollars worth of business in a matter of days.People come and throng the streets a day or two before and book kites in packs of 100 nos. in advance, which are then dispensed by appointments to avoid traffic jams and collected from the shops at all hours till the wee hours sometimes..Matchbox size kites from Khambat( gulf of Cambay) are another specialty one must watch and possibly own.
Just say this is a festival and the entire Gujarat goes in a jamboree................whew!!!!Earn in millions and spend in millions.What a way of life.This must be watched and not missed.Khushboo Gujarat ki.
The families gather on all possible open spaces, and get the food, the kite sets and the special thread that sends them soaring high above in the skies waiting for the next contestant who would match the skills.There are children running blindly across the streets , some of them street urchins who make a quick buck from the kites that get cut and float down , some getting entangled in trees and overhead wires.Oblivious of the lurking dangers across the streets and inspite of potentially dangerous encounters with vehicles or falling off the ramp, people still are willing to take risks.The entire day and the following one too being a Sunday is eat,drink, wear glares and the best clothes and fly kites to the latest numbers belted out on the MP3 systems.This is a sight to watch.
People take advance salaries, time their incentives to splurge on buying kites.40 million dollars worth of business in a matter of days.People come and throng the streets a day or two before and book kites in packs of 100 nos. in advance, which are then dispensed by appointments to avoid traffic jams and collected from the shops at all hours till the wee hours sometimes..Matchbox size kites from Khambat( gulf of Cambay) are another specialty one must watch and possibly own.
Just say this is a festival and the entire Gujarat goes in a jamboree................whew!!!!Earn in millions and spend in millions.What a way of life.This must be watched and not missed.Khushboo Gujarat ki.
Interesting threads that bind the community and the entire society! Added to it is the amazing "Sales and Distribution" piece which at least takes care of the Logistics involved in the spontaneity of having fun!
ReplyDeleteIt'd be truly a phrase we use - Tu Phek, Me Lapettey :))