Mangalore: International Kite Festival Takes to the Skies at Panambur Beach
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)
Mangalore, Jan 16: The city’s Panambur Beach was crowded with thousands of people who gathered to see the numerous kites at the two-day international kite festival, which was inaugurated on Saturday January 16.
The kites ranging from the giant to the small dotted the sky at the beach and featured plenty of attractive designs. Kites crafted as animals, birds, fish, and other colourful designs caught the eye of visitors.
Professional kite flyers and amateurs alike are participating in this festival. The AWITA(Always In The Air) group headed by Nicolos Chorier from France, Maarteen van Hienen from Netherlands, and Karl Hongboton from UK, brought along their special kites.
Giant kites, aerofoil kites, stunt kites, nylon-made kites, teddy bear kite, and penguin kite are being flown by this group of international kite flyers. The ‘Bootha Kola’ kite and traditional kites were flown by locals and Team Mangalore.
Prashanth, one of the members of Team Mangalore, said that there are many giant kites with the international kite fliers who displayed only a few because of the shortage of space and unfavourable air conditions.
Chorier, head of the AWITA team, said that his team is ready to participate in kite festivals around the world and the team has taken up kite flying as a hobby. He added that they were very happy to participate in kite festivals in India.
Van Hienen from Netherlands said that he prepares kites using nylon and finds a special thrill in flying kites and participating in kite festivals.
The two-day festival will conclude on Sunday January 17. A food festival in association with various hotels of the city has also been arranged at the beach.