Stunt kites from Greece, Chinese Dragon from Indonesia, a series of 100 kites of Kathakkali in a row are among the kites to be flown during the two-day ONGC-MRPL Mangaluru International Kite Festival, which will begin at Tannirbavi beach in Mangaluru from January 18.
Team Mangalore, which will organise the show, will fly their iconic creations such as Kathakkali, Yaksha, Garuda, Pushpaka Vimana and Vibhishana.
Addressing press persons here on Thursday, January 16, M.P. Mullai Muhilan, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada said that 52 kite flyers, including 30 Indian flyers and 22 international flyers, will participate in the event. The international flyers are from 10 countries including the UK, Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Estonia, Italy, Sweden, Portugal and Indonesia. In addition to Karnataka, the Indian flyers are from Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Kerala.
“The event will spotlight an array of kites, from traditional and aerofoil to inflatable designs, with a special focus on quad-line sports kites, featuring dynamic performances by stunt kite flyers from Greece,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
The mascot of the festival, Uriye, the fiery rooster of Tulunadu, symbolises courage, vibrancy and cultural pride.
Mr. Muhilan said that no manja thread will be used to fly the kites.
Parking for 1,000 cars and 6,000 two-wheelers have been arranged at the beach. There will be dedicated lost and found shelter, swimming areas with lifeguards and emergency medical aid services at the beach. Food stalls will serve food till midnight and there will be kite shops offering a variety of designs.
Mr. Muhilan said that henceforth the event will be held annually as part of Karavali Utsav. “Flying conditions are ideal in Mangaluru. Steady wind on the beach perfectly matches to hold kite festival,” he said.
Sarvesh Rao, founder, Team Mangalore, said that the flying of kites on Saturday will begin from 3 p.m. onwards and the inauguration of the event will be at 5 p.m. On Sunday too the flying will start by 3 p.m.
Ashok Shah, an international kite flyer from Maharashtra, said that Mangaluru is the best place to organise kite festival. “The event by Team Mangalore is very well organised. The wind condition in Mangaluru is ideal for organising the kite festival. Among about 200 kite festivals which I participated the event in Mangaluru is the best,” he said.
“I will fly a series of 100 kites of Kathakkali in a row,” he said.
Published – January 16, 2025 08:16 pm IST