International Kite Festival Ahmedabad – A Vibrant Event in Gujarat, India

Soaring Skies: International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Every January, the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, Gujarat transforms the city’s skies into a breathtaking display of color and creativity. Celebrated during Uttarayan, this globally renowned festival in India attracts kite flyers and tourists from around the world to India. From giant designer kites to traditional Indian patangs, the event is a vibrant celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and community spirit. If you're planning a visit to Gujarat, witnessing the Kite Festival in Ahmedabad is a must for an unforgettable cultural experience.
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"I wish this lovely thin paint brush was little smoother, then this kite string would have been perfect”.
Me standing between the zestful surroundings at Sabarmati RiverFront, Ahmedabad, holding a real string of this magnificent kite between my fingers, I am thinking again - “Is it true what we draw turns out to be true in real life?”

Creative kites at International Kite Festival

​Aurek, a kite enthusiast from Poland, who couldn’t even comprehend a single word of English or Hindi, assisted me in mastering the art of holding that thick string in the correct manner. This kind-hearted individual demonstrated the techniques and tricks of kite flying at the cost of a single radiant smile from me. How I wish I could acquire all the knowledge in this world in such a simple and delightful way!

​Uttarayan in Gujarat

This culture of flying kites was introduced to India by Persians and is now celebrated regardless of caste or creed. The festival, known as ‘Uttarayana’ (Uttar: North, Ayana: Movement), is celebrated on January 14th during Makar Sankranti and continues until January 15th. This date marks the end of winter and the return of milder weather for farmers in Gujarat. People believe that flying kites during this time provides exposure to the sun after the long winter season, which helps to combat infections and maintain good hygiene. Entire India celebrates this festival with different names, but the enthusiasm remains the same.

Uttarayan in Gujarat

​International Kite Festival 2017

The International Kite Festival, formally inaugurated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in 1989, aimed to make kite festivals internationally renowned.

The extravagant setup of IKF2017 was elegantly spread across a portion of the Riverfront Sabarmati, which stretched for an impressive 11 kilometers on each side. The grand stage was filled with the rhythmic chants of over 100 students, creating an atmosphere of unity and harmony. This sense of unity was further emphasized by the Suryanamaskar performed by 2000 students, accompanied by speeches from esteemed delegates. The festival also featured a diverse array of food and art stalls, music performances, and various games, all contributing to the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. Attendees felt a deep sense of pride and joy in experiencing the rich cultural heritage of India. 

Inauguration of International Kite Festival

Garba at Inauguration of International Kite Festival

​Later in the morning, after the display walk of each nation across the entire venue, the most awaited event arrived: kite flying. Within minutes, we witnessed Dopero, Delta, Rokkaku, Barn Door, Diamond, and Sled kites soaring high, gracefully maneuvering between the birds to reach the highest altitudes. Alongside my trainer Aurek, we were joined by 3-4 participants from each country, totaling 131 kite flyers from 31 countries, 50 from 11 states, and an impressive 198 kite flyers from Gujarat alone.

Variety of kites from different nationalities at International Kite Festival

​Here, the intriguing aspect wasn’t watching the Kites Flight & Fight, but rather observing the diverse range of ideas and techniques behind kite-making. While some tweaked and perfected the aerodynamics of kites, others focused solely on its artistic aspect. Vietnam, which has harnessed the power of wind not only to create the movement in the kite but also to generate music (as the wind strikes the grooves in bamboo produces a musical sound), exemplifies this.

The popularity of this game in other parts of India also brought together eleven other states, including Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and more. Some states aimed to promote art through kites, while others focused on showcasing their history, culture, business, and raising awareness about the game. ​

Vietnamese musical kite at International Kite Festival

Brazilian kite at International Kite Festival

Local Kite markets in Ahmedabad

The captivating stories and experiences of kite flying led me to a bustling market in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. A visit to these places can enrich your general knowledge (if you missed those spicy entertainment news during your travel). You’ll find printed on the kites the latest news, people, movie posters, and more. During my visit, pictures of Modi, the movie “Dangal,” and actors like Salman and Alia were the most popular.

Local kite market at Jamalpur Ahmedabad

​Kite-making, an environmentally friendly cottage industry, employs over 6,000 people, with more than 90% of them being Muslims. These kite shop owners and entrepreneurs subcontract their work to four to five families based on their workline. They assemble raw materials like paper, bamboo, gum paste, and strings from places like Kolkata and Bareilly and process them into final products.

The seasonal nature of the industry helps them hone their skills not only in kite-making but also in other businesses. While a few entrepreneurs can sustain their work throughout the year as their business is spread across multiple states, others switch to other jobs based on demand and profit for smaller businesses. Despite facing a rollercoaster ride in their businesses after the demonetization, the spirits of most kite-makers remain high.

Kite making cottage industry in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad

Safety and Care at the International Kite Festival

Safety of kite flyers, people, birds, and the environment has always been a concern during the Uttarayan festival. NGOs like Jivdaya Charitable Trust and PETA have actively supported bird and animal safety. In addition to these efforts, locals here take measures to protect humans, such as preferring cotton strings over nylon, using stone powder manja instead of glass-powered ones, flying kites in open areas, and installing U-shaped wires as a visor on two-wheelers.
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I was invited by Gujarat Tourism Board to cover the  #InternationalKiteFestival2017.
Pallavi Sharma had represented RavenousLegs at this event. The post and the pictures are to her credit.