Flying high

Aishanee Sinha takes us on a roller-coaster ride across a sky filled with kites How many of you have ever flown kites? Well, as a matter of fact probably most of you have never even seen a real kite. Nowadays we hardly see anyone flying kites. But the situation was not so always. Even a couple of decades ago the sky was full of colourful kites of different shapes and sizes, specially during this time of the year. On the occasion of Vishwakarma puja in Kolkata, colourful kites were flown throughout the day . The sky was dotted up with all shades and colours. Chadials, Mombattis, Chowrangees, Petkattas, Mayurpankhis, Baggas used to fly high to establish the skills of the fliers. The sky became a war zone with discarded kites dropping every now and then with the cry of “Bho-kattaaa!” from distant playgrounds or roofs. But do you know when kites first came into existence? The kite was first invented and popularised approximately 2,800 years ago in China. By at least 549 AD paper kites were being flown, as it was recorded in that year a paper kite was used as a message for a rescue mission.Ancient and medieval Chinese sources list other uses of kites for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signaling, and communication for military operations. The earliest known Chinese kites were flat (not bowed) and often rectangular. Later, tailless kites incorporated a stabilising bowline. Kites were decorated with mythological motifs and legendary figures; some were fitted with strings and whistles to make musical sounds while flying. After its appearance in China, the kite migrated to Japan, Korea, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), India, Arabia, North Africa and other parts of the world. Since kites made of leaves have been flown in Malaya and the South Seas from time immemorial, the kite could also have been invented independently in that region. Kites can be designed with many different shapes, forms, and sizes. They can take the form of flat geometric designs, boxes and other three-dimensional forms, or modern sparless inflatable designs. Designs often emulate flying insects, birds, and other beasts, both real and mythical. Kite festivals are a popular form of entertainment throughout the world. They include small local events, traditional festivals which have been held for hundreds of years and major international festivals which bring in kite flyers from overseas to display their unique art kites and demonstrate the latest technical kites. International Kite Festival is held at Ahmedabad on 14 January every year. From dawn to dusk, people of all ages fly kites rejoicing in the spirit of the day. The blue sky is enlivened by kites of different colours and hues. Kites soar in the sky, their lines moving as if alive. The nights see the arrival of the illuminated box kites, often in a series strung on one line, to be launched into the sky. Known as Tukkals, these kites add a touch of splendour to the dark sky. Special mixtures of glue and ground glass (manja) cover the lines with which the kites are flown. They are dried and rolled onto reels known as ‘firkees’ (latai). They should be used carefully. It is quite interesting to note that kites have been used for military uses in the past for signalling, for delivery of munitions, for observation and kite aerial photography. Kites have also been used for scientific purposes, such as Benjamin Franklin’s famous experiment proving that lightning is electricity. Kites were the precursors to aircraft, and were instrumental in the development of early flying craft. Alexander Graham Bell experimented with very large man-lifting kites, as did the Wright brothers and Lawrence Hargrave. In the last two decades several kite sailing sports have become popular, such as kite buggying, kite landboarding and kite surfing. Snow kiting has also become popular in recent years. After reading these interesting facts about kites some of you may be eager to fly kites. But before rushing off, one must follow some safety measures. Kite lines can strike and tangle on electrical power lines, causing power blackouts and running the risk of electrocuting the kite flier. Wet kite lines or wire can act as a conductor for static electricity and lightning when the weather is stormy. Kites with large surface areas or powerful lift can lift the kite flier off the ground or drag them into stationary objects. In urban areas there is usually a ceiling on how high a kite can be flown, to prevent the kite and line infringing on the airspace of helicopters and light aircraft. In India the twine is coated with powdered glass to cut opponent’s lines and these deadly strings known as Manja are reported to injure a number of pedestrians or motorcyclists each year all over the region. So next time you fly kites be careful. Hope you all enjoy flying kites this festival season and celebrate it in a different way. Coordinator, Class VIII, Carmel School, Durgapur
source : the statesman

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