KITEFLYING FESTIVAL IN PUNJAB.

                                 

India is a country of festivals, rituals and rites. Basant is one of a festival of festivals. There is an old Adage saying “Aayi Basant Pala Udant” meaning the time of change of season from winter to gradually warming weather. The intensity of winter starts to decrease after basant panchmi. It’s a kite flying day of the year. On this day,  Saraswati Mata is worshipped and  yellow coloured dresses are worn and yellow rice are cooked and eaten by folks. This festival is celebrated enthusiastically among youth especially teen boys. The festival usually arrives in the month of February in starting days of the month. At some gurudwaras in Punjab, fairs (mele) are exhibited for example a grand fair is held on the day of Basant Panchmi  at Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib Patiala. This festival adds beauty to one’s bored and strangulated everyday life. The festival is more prevalent among boys rather than girls.

What is the scene of Basant Panchmi in Punjab?

People are eager enough for the festival to arrive that they spend the night before festival at their roofs dancing on the songs being played on the DJ systems installed. Drinking and smoking which is not a good thing to do but is what boys do on this beautiful festival. Folks have already bought hundreds of kites and plenty of twine (dor). They prepare the kites to be ready with (traame) so they are ready to be flown in the air next day. Early morning on this day dedicated people are unaware of their breakfast or anything they are normally supposed to be doing and instead they are stood on the rooftop in order to fly the kites and take part in a sort of competition that happens in the sky.

The kite is tied to the twine controlled in the hand of a person who is flying the kite. It’s a great talent in the hands of people that they are capable of making a paper kite dance in the sky. And even compete with several people stood on their rooftops that increases the curiosity for this festival. DJ systems playing high energy Punjabi music and several kites seem to dance in the sky simultaneously. The view of sky is mesmerizing and the ambience is thrilling full of energy and excitement. Punjabi people are endowed with high energy and vibe.

The night sky view is even more different and serene. Sky is filled with hot air balloons (sky lantern) rising above and moving ahead in slow motion in the night time. The scene is heart calming and rooftops and balconies become an amazing place to romanticize. The whole day adds joy to ones life that is exhausting at the end of the day but the nerve calming felt at the end of the day is worth it.

Twines lead to various problems when they get entangled in ones head or neck or even in our feet and vehicles. China twine is banned but is still sold in the state and harms various lives every year. One must enjoy the festival with great joy but should follow safety protocols to ensure safety with fun.