Though kites were first made in China, over the past hundreds of years, they have become a significant part of the Indian culture. In different parts of the country, kites are flown on different religious occasions. Kite flying has become a tremendously popular sport both in India and abroad.
In its modern context, kites are often considered a child’s sport, flown on Makara Sankranthi, but this is not true as kites are used for a number of other purposes. Kite flying, Kite racing, and Kite fighting are popular forms of sport all over the world and people of all ages indulge in kite flying on special occasions in India and across the world.
It is this passion for kite flying that has propelled people to form kite clubs in many parts of India.
Aim:
Their aim being able to share the common interest of flying kites with kite enthusiasts in India and from all over the world and also to provide kite lovers with a chance to fly kites in many different parts of the world by participating in international kite festivals and competitions.
Their sole purpose is to keep the rich heritage of kite flying alive in India by arranging kite exhibitions, festivals, kite making and kite painting competitions and also conduct kite flying events, all across the country.
These clubs are also places where people share their experience and expertise on different aspects of kite flying and explore the art of flying kites. These are also organizations that are considered to be authentic sources of any kite related information.
Their aim is to raise the awareness of people on kites all around the country and also provide training in kite flying and encourage kite making and kite painting as an art form through specially arranged exhibitions.
They also encourage both kite flyers and kite manufacturers to share their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm with the public and make more people discover the fun of kite flying.
Most of these kite clubs are nonprofit organizations for kite flyers.
Activities:
Kite clubs bring together kite makers and flyers from all over the country. They interact and participate in a number of kite related activities.
These clubs also organize a number of kite related events to increase awareness in children and to encourage them in the art of kite making and kite flying.
Gujarat is one of the most colorful states in India and every year Makar Sankranti, is celebrated as the Kite Festival of India. Since kite flying is a popular sport in this state, there are many kite clubs here.
On this festival day, kite clubs arrange kite festivals and kite flying competitions in Ahmedabad, which are extremely popular. People from all over the country come to Gujarat on this day to take part in this festival. This has established itself, as one of the major annual events in the calendar of Gujarat tourism and has become a unique selling proposition for the travel and tourism department of the state.
Kite clubs also organize kite workshops and exhibitions in any part of India. The workshops are unique in nature, with experienced kite makers and kite flyers present at each venue. There are also exhibitions with great collections of kites from other countries on display. There are kite experts present at these exhibitions who extend help to those who want to learn to fly these kites.
Kite clubs also participate in kite related activities organized by the government, department of tourism, corporate and nonprofit organizations and also for educational institutions.
Kite clubs willingly help and share their knowledge and expertise. They also help in arranging/conducting a number of activities, some of which are listed below:
* National and international kite festivals
* Kite fighting competitions
* LED kite flying shows at night for weddings, corporate events
* Promoting brands, products and advertising services with kite flying shows
* Kite workshops for children to keep the awareness alive
* Kite flying events in collaboration with international kite clubs
* Kite exhibitions and kite making competitions and many more.
* Kite flying competitions
* Kite making workshops for schools, groups
* Kite painting and kite flying shows
Safety Rules
Kites come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and each kite flies differently from another. Kite flying can be fun but it can also prove to be dangerous at times if certain safety aspects are not followed.
So kite clubs also provide certain guidelines/safety rules and regulations when followed, making the kite flying experience a pleasure and not a problem.
* Kites are best flown in open fields, river banks or beaches where there are no obstacles.
* It is best not to fly kites near trees as they can easily get tangled in them.
* It is important never to fly kites near roads or highways. One can easily get hurt by chasing kites in these areas. The kites can also create accidents by distracting the drivers and motorists. The manjha or the glass-coated thread used for flying the kites has many times caused deep cuts in cyclists and motorists, some of them fatal when the gash is near the throat.
* It's important to never fly kites near high tension wires, and overhead power lines as the kite line can conduct electricity. If the kite touches these lines the kite flyer can be killed.
* The 3 C’s of kite safety are Caution, Courtesy, and Common Sense irrespective of where ever a kite is flown, in a park or playground, or on a beach. These areas can be crowded with many activities happening and competing for space.
* It is best to avoid kite flying in noisy and crowded places.
* It is important to be careful not to scare animals, particularly horses with riders while flying a kite
* It is important not to litter any place after the kite flying activity is done and cleaned up.
* It is best not to fly kites where there are many birds as these too could get hurt or die if they get tangled in the manjha kite flying line.
* It is advised not to fly kites in storms as well.
* While flying larger kites it is better to wear gloves to protect the hands from cuts.
* It is important to be aware of who or what is behind, as well as in front while flying a kite.
Along with the cautions, it is important to be aware of the limitations of one’s skills and strength and to take care not to fly anything too large for the conditions, or try anything too complicated near other people. It is best to be aware of the power and limitations of the kite being flown.
International kite clubs: The concept of kite clubs is even more apparent and evident in other countries. A few famous ones are: American Kite Fliers Association is the largest association of kite fliers in the world with over 4,000 members in 35 countries. Toronto Kite Fliers is another association, involved with a range of kite activities and works closely with regional kite clubs as well as clubs in British Columbia, Quebec and the Northern United States. The Niagara Wind Riders Kite Fliers’ Association founded in 1992, on the other hand, dedicates to the enjoyment and promotion of kite flying as an artistic, scientific and sporting activity for people of all ages.
Thus the magic of the skies and the thrill of kite flying are universal. This is one sport that has kept people engaged for many centuries, and with the help of such dedicated kite clubs, it will continue to flourish.
