The Lal Kuan kite market, which supplies kites to shops across the Capital and many parts of the country, has once again come alive ahead of the Independence Day.
While kite-flying and kite-making have evolved over the years, flying them on August 15 still epitomises the spirit of freedom, say the residents of Lal Kuan, a neighbourhood in old Delhi.
However, the excitement in recent years has been much lower than what it was prior to Covid.
“Interest in kite-flying among Delhiites seems to be declining. There was a time when sales of kites would begin 4-5 months in advance, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, kite sales now last for only about a month and a half. Kites from this market are supplied across the country,” said Sachin Gupta, President of the Lal Kuan Kite Market, who is the fourth generation from his family running the shop.
He also mentioned that many new designs of kites have arrived in the market this year, including those featuring the Tricolour and cartoon characters.
The most in-demand kite is the ‘Bulldozer Baba’ kite, which features a bulldozer along with photos of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Last year, kites with Modi and Yogi’s photos were popular, but this year, the addition of the bulldozer image has increased their demand.
Paper kites in demand
Gupta shared that there are two types of kites available in the market — those made from polythene and those made from paper. Families with young children tend to prefer polythene kites because they are more durable and don’t tear easily. However, in the final days before Independence Day, the demand for paper kites increases. Paper kites are lighter, which allows them to soar higher.
Four-feet kites
The colour, shape, and size of kites change every year based on demand. Gupta mentioned that the largest kite in the market this year is four feet long. The smallest kite is even smaller than a palm and is often used for decoration, especially at venues for August 15 celebrations. Larger kites, on the other hand, are flown by enthusiasts. These kites are heavier than regular kites, making them a bit more challenging to fly.
Price of kites
In the Lal Kuan market, price of kites begins at Rs 3 only. But they are sold for five to six rupees in retail markets. In the wholesale market, paper kites can cost up to 350 rupees per hundred kites.
The owner of ‘Don Bhai Patang Wale’ told Patriot that sales have been quite good at this year’s Independence Day, unlike in the past four years — the pandemic years and the two years that followed it.
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He mentioned that they are now seeing the same enthusiasm as before the pandemic.
Regarding his customers, he said, “Our target customers are kids. We sell kites ranging from 8 cm to large cartoon kites, along with small charkhis, so kids are our favourite customers. We also give small kites to little girls for free.”
A 10-year-old young boy, who came with his family from Rohini, was excited to buy kites in bulk.
“I like Doraemon and Salman Khan. Main 500 patang loonga, alag alag design ki (I will buy 500 kites of different designs). I can cut four kites with just one kite,” said Aryan.
Not only kites, but Lal Kuan is also home to many other Independence Day items like flags, caps, badges, masks, wristbands, and other decorative items. Among these, the most popular with women and girls are the Tricolour bangles.
Mohd Waseem, selling Tricolour bangles on a small charpai at Lal Kuan, shared, “Wearing Tricolour bangles is a tradition among the women of old Delhi. The sales are very good this year.”
Danish, who is selling flags and other items, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Kids are usually very enthusiastic about Independence Day and come to buy these items, which makes us happy too.”
In India, kites are flown during various festivals.
Gupta explained that in Delhi, people have been flying kites on August 15 for many years. This tradition began when India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, flew kites and released pigeons during the celebration of independence at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947. In Haryana, kites are flown during Teej, in Ghaziabad during Raksha Bandhan, and in Gujarat, kite-flying is a part of every auspicious occasion or event.
The Lal Kuan Kite Market, located near Fatehpuri Masjid in Chandni Chowk, dates back to the Mughal era. Today, the market has about five to six shops where kites are sold throughout the year, 365 days.
