Sankranti, a major
festival reminds of many things, Bhogi Pandlu, colorful Muggulu (Rangoli), Kite
flying and Kite fighting, yellow dresses, festive snacks and meals. Unlike all
other Hindu festivals which are celebrated according to the Lunar calendar, Makara
Sankranti is a Solar event and is always celebrated on 14th January.
The festival is after nine days from today that is next Thursday. It is a
holiday almost all over the country.
Kite flying is an
important celebration and tradition of Sankranti in Telangana region. A
Kite is called Patang and Kites as Patanglu, locally. I see some kites
flying here and there in the city but this is a miniscule of what it used to be
in my childhood. While all missionary schools closed on a vacation for
Christmas, rest of the Schools closed for Sankranti, about 15 days prior to
Sankranti. So all the children used to be out with their Kites from 15 days
prior to the festival and the sky used to be full of them for major part of
January until the schools reopened again. The adults, for that matter the whole
family joined the children for the entire day on Sankranti that is 14th January
for flying kites. With lots of other entertainment opportunities available for
children today, Kite flying time is reduced but not the excitement and interest
the children show in it as the festival approaches and especially on 13th and
14th January. On these festival days you would find the terrace
of almost every house and every playground full of people flying kites. There
is a festive atmosphere everywhere. You hear loud music from some rooftops and
very frequently outbursts of shouts as people rejoice cutting the Kites of
nearby neighbors and very distant neighbors.
Kites are flown with a
special thread called Maanja. Maanja is coated with glass powder and is capable
of cutting the thread of other flying Kites depending upon its superiority over
the rivals Maanja and the skill of the person flying the Kite. Maanjas are
available in different colors and are different for Keench Kaat and Deel Kaat.
There are some shops in the city which make superior quality Maanjas which
obviously are in high demand. The process of cutting the Kites of others is
called Paench. Kite flying is an art learnt and mastered by the children over
several festivals. The terminology associated with Kite flying is enormous like
Chakri, Kannalu, Kannalu japu, Philainch, Rog, Goth, Deel, Dor, Bhadda, Maanja,
Suthainchudu, Paench, Riggi, Keench kaat, Dasti, Lapta, Liptainchu, Laccha,
Dhaddori, Atkainchudu, Lipak, Lag thay Gili!, Landori, Afaa!, Kaat! and so on.
And the Kites are available in different sizes and in very attractive
colors and patterns. The Kites have interesting names like, Namam Dhaar, Guddi
Dhaar, Doppan, Char Khan Doppan, Langot, Bombay Patang, Topi Dhaar, Thoka
Patang, Lalan Dhaar and so on.
The fun and excitement
of flying Kites is unique and a part of all our lives. We look forward to
Sankranti for this experience and happiness. Incidentally I would like to
mention that my sons have participated in a number of Kite fighting
competitions at the Country Club, Hyderabad during their childhood and have
always won the First Prize for cutting the largest number of Kites. The above
photographs are to recollect some Sankranti festivals of the past.
Links to my Sankranti Festival related other blog posts:
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