My most awaited festival every year is Uttarayan. Also known as "Makar Sankranti" in other parts of the country. Its celebrated on 14th of January every year. This festival is known for flying kites. The entire Gujarat embraces the beauty and excitement of the festival with its people's enthusiasm, colorful kites, delicious food, bonding and much more. Regardless of caste, community or sex, people of all age groups enjoy this festive season with ecstasy.
My appetite for celebration is given a boost when I reach the old city of Ahmedabad to buy kites and manja (thread to fly a kite). A mere glimpse of the Bazaar during the night justifies without any doubt that the local populace in the city is too obsessed with kites. The crowd on the streets goes crazy and can be seen buying the stocks in dozens while negotiating and enjoying at the same time. People can be seen buying kites of various colors, sizes, types and shapes. Trendy Chinese lanterns, blow-horns for cheering, sunglasses, hat and much more makes up a typical shop, lined up along with hundreds of other similar stalls. An environment with such a set up, gives the feel of an eve of an extraordinary festivity.
The city of Ahmedabad gives a lot more than this. Every year the city hosts an international kite festival. People from various countries participate and become spectators to this colorful and joyous event. The participants gets a chance to exhibit their kite work, art and skills. Every festival in gujarat and the food have always been in an implicit sweet relationship. Special delicacies and snacks are prepared during the festive season. One of the famous dish is "Undhiyu". Its a mix vegetable dish prepared from seasonal vegetables and normally eaten during winter season.
On the 14th of January, early in the morning, people occupy the rooftops, terraces, open grounds, or pitch on any scarcely available open place to fly the kites. People from all walks of life, caste, community manage to find out their mode of entertainment. A lot of fancy and artistic toys can be seen famous with the younger lot of the generation who struggle to fly kites easily. A typical festival fanatic will have his own setup of stereo system playing loud music keeping the environment alive. The sky starts to overwhelm with all sorts of kites slowly with the rising sun and as the day advances, the sky becomes a beautifully colored collage with its pieces randomly dancing in confusing directions or fade out in the infinite fabric of blue sky.
A kiter (kite flyer) tries to knock down other flying kites. It typically happen by trying to bring the thread of his kite in contact with the others and skillfully cutting its thread. It brings a lot of joy and excitement and sheer energy. People shout, cheer, celebrate this all day long till they exhaust. There are times when the number of kites in the sky are more than the Kiters. Its because of the presence of orphaned kites (the ones being cut down), floating and wandering with the wind.
The event doesn't end with this. The evening is more beautiful. People tie a large number of small lanterns to the thread of a stable flying kite and let them release in the sky. These lanterns decorate the evening sky in luminous artistic curve along the line of the supporting thread. Its an awe-inspiring view. The recent trend of Chinese lanterns have taken the amusement to another level. These lamps are in a typical shape of a balloon. It rises up due to the thrust produced from the smoke of the burning fuel at its bottom.. When they rise in the dark sky, they collectively portray an image of myriad yellow luminescent dots on the black surface irregularly place and constantly shifting places. The view is just breathe taking. You can watch this view for hours and never get over it. The so easy to understand scientific phenomenon, almost looks like a wonder, discovered just yesterday. These lamps even outnumber the jealous stars visibly present in the vicinity.
This amazing festival, though sometimes has turned out to be disastrous because of unfortunate incidents happening due to human mistakes or carelessness or mere negligence. Although adequate advice and precautions are favored, incidents tend to find out their own way of occurrence. However, this has never brought down the mood and good spirit of the festival in people.
This festival brings all people together for a common cause. To celebrate. Something which is powerful and profound. This is what excites every bit of me.
The festival has always come to an end with a happier note every year. I have numerous memories attached with it. And I am sure to cherish them in the years to come. Also I will continue to celebrate with equal or more enthusiasm in the coming years.
I will be happy to know your experiences.
