Kite Making – Craft Of Ahmedabad
By Zalak Patel | Published on : January 22, 2020There are times when we wish to soar in the skies unhindered and with no strings attached ain’t it? Well, come to Uttarayan and the Amdavadi skies are choc-a-block with kites. Kites of myriad hues and contours and yes names too. No, this isn’t a joke at all: ‘Chandedaar’, ‘Aankhedaar’, ‘Cheel’, ‘Lakdedaar’…these are some kite names !!!
The Kite Making Season
Well did you know the fact that not only the kites but the kite-making industry of Ahmedabad are world-famous? The bazaars of Ahmedabad make kites for around 9 months of the year to cater to the kite demand throughout the country. Gujarat in December-January, Karnataka in February-March, Maharashtra in March-April and Delhi in June-July-August.
Choosing a kite, tying it’s ‘kina’ and selecting the right kind of thread is an art. Kite making is an example of a skilled form of traditional craft. Kite making requires the involvement of many people. We can bifurcate the entire process of kite making into several departments. In addition, it requires to the source, connect and entrust skilled workers with the work.
The Materials
The materials used in kite making include different types of paper, bamboo, glue and cotton thread. Varieties of the paper include the Chinese variety, PVC paper variety and the sub-varieties that go by the names ‘kachcha’ (raw) paper, coloured paper, ‘Triveni’ paper and many more. PVC paper comes from Delhi while Pune, Surat, and Hyderabad are famous for the other varieties. The specific type of bamboo from Assam called Assami bamboo finds it’s a way to Ahmedabad through Kolkatta.
Earlier, the kite makers prepared a specific kind of glue using ‘Morthuthu’ ( Copper sulfate), water and maida (refined flour) but nowadays a ready to use slurry is handily available for the same. The different parts of a kite are ‘Dhaddho/thaddho’, ‘Kamaan’, ‘Channi and ‘tail’.
The Process
#1 Cutting: To make a kite, the kite paper needs to be cut. Two subtypes are the normal cutting which is in use generally and the fancy cutting for kites with not so common and different shapes.
#2 Thread framing: After the paper is cut, it’s outer borders are pasted with very very fine cotton thread. The reason behind being that it makes the kite’s frame sturdier and moreover also gives it the resistance to withstand strong winds.
#3 Fixing the ‘Dhadho/Thadho’: The vertical stick on the kite is the Dhadho/Thadho. It plays an important role in keeping the kite firm. Sometimes, when the ‘dhadho’ stick is not sturdy, the kite doesn’t show tensile strength.
#4 Fixing the ‘Kamaan’: ‘Kaman’ is the horizontal bamboo stick on the kite. In this step, the kite maker fixes
the horizontal stick on the paper.
#5Fixing the ‘Channi’: After attaching the ‘kamaan’ and the ‘dhadho’, the makers fix small pieces of paper to join these. This process is known as fixing the ‘channi’.
#6Fixing the tail: Tail of the kite is an important factor that provides it with the correct balance. If not the long tasselled tail, then the kite makers fix a triangle shape and lo and behold, your kite is ready to soar into the emerald blue skies!!!
The First Kite
Who or how was the kite invented? No exact information is available. Presumably, around 2800 years ago, the Chinese were the initial kite flyers. Probably either of the Muslims or the Buddhists brought the kites to the Indian subcontinent during their travails here. And today, Ahmedabad has it’s very own kite museum, kite bazaar and it’s very own International kite festival too. Amazing !!! Isn’t it?
So then what are you waiting for? Run to the terrace with your kites and let them soar!
