When one pictures Independence Day, we hear the echo of the Prime Minister’s speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, we imagine Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate in Lutyens’ Delhi, all lit up in green, white, saffron, and of course flags hoisted on the roof of houses and kites flying above it.
Celebrating India’s Independence!
Flying kites to send back Simon
In 1927 to boycott the Simon Commission, people protested by flying kites with “Go back Simon” scribbled all over it. Thousands of colored kites fluttered in the breeze. It was symbolic of the spirit of freedom. A kite soars high, free and ready to touch the sky. India wanted to break free from the clutches of the British and eventually it did. Since then flying kites has become an integral part of Independence Day celebrations.
A trip to Lal Kuan Market
Old Delhi is segregated into different markets specializing in a specific category. Nai Sarak is famous for books, best wedding cards can be ordered at Chawri Bazaar, for bridal wear and wedding sarees it is Chandni Chowk. For kites, people flock to the bylanes of Chawri Bazaar to an area called Lal Kuan, not far from the metro station. Since it is a national holiday barring the ones selling kites, all the other shops were closed.
Bright colored ‘patangs’ made of cellophane and kite paper hung from the shops. A few stacks lay neatly arranged for the customers to look through. There were kites with social messages like “Beti bachao, beti padao”, Bollywood actors, cartoon characters, Vande Mataram etc. “Which kite is the most popular?” I asked Asif in Haji Kallu Bhai Patang Wale, a shop that is famous for its kites. “The one which has our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.” he smiled and answered. True to his word, I could see customers picking up dozens with our respected Prime Minister’s face on them.
Our PM, Narendra Modi is popular on kites too.
Winding the thread on the spool for kite flying – Lal Kuan
Kites made of wrapping paper, cellophane and kite paper are used.
Indian flags fluttered on the rooftops of many buildings. There was positivity and a spirit of brethren everywhere. People of all religions were laughing, teasing, hugging each other. Vendors were making roaring sales selling trinkets, headbands, wristbands, wigs, caps, pencils, bangles all in saffron, white and green. The air of festivity pervaded all over. Most of us who stay cooped up at home don’t know the fun that Independence Day entails.
May the flag of India always fly high.
Trinkets, jewellery, wristbands, flags using the colors of the national flag are popular.
The prices of the kites range between Rs 10 to Rs 1000 for the fanciest ones. The Chinese threads that led to fatalities last year have disappeared from the market, thankfully. There has been strict vigilance by the police and some makeshift shops that mushroom up before Independence Day have been removed. I happily bought my manjha (thread for flying kites) for Rs 500 and a bunch of different colored kites for Rs 300. The basics of kite flying were in hand, but I had no idea who was going to teach me how to fly these beauties in a strange neighborhood.
Let’s fly a kite
Getting ready for the kite flying competition.
The lost look on my face must be evident because an elderly gentleman came forward and told me to take the flight of stairs to reach a terrace where many children were flying kites. A bit apprehensive, I looked up to see happy heads smiling and beckoning me to come up. Climbing four storeys high, I reached a terrace where I was welcomed by Mohammed Asif, the head of the family. A couple of his children were involved in some serious kite flying competition. It didn’t take long before Mohammed started teaching the nuances of kite flying; how to tie the thread to the kite, to study the direction of the wind, how to circle it around another kite so that it gets locked and finally to give it a jerk to snap the competitors’ kite. Trying hard and failing miserably, I decided to sit and chat with the others. It was beautiful to hear their family stories of Benares and get acquainted with the family members. We laughed, clicked pictures and talked about the Independence Day. Before leaving he gifted me a wristband in the colors of our flag as a token of friendship.
The sunglasses are on because we fly all day. Kite flying in Lal Kuan.
The warm welcome and happy smile of Mohammed!
Kyuki Dil Hai Hindustani!
The final stopover – Shyam sweets
Shyam Sweets is an iconic shop in Chawri Bazaar and for me, going to this Bazaar is incomplete without going there. Thankfully, it was open today. A hearty lunch of Bedmi – Poori, Aloo, Lassi and Kesari Ghevar completed the experience
Bedmi Poori and Aloo at Shyam Sweets.
A parting thought
As I traveled back home, my thoughts went back to the stellar experience I had today. Amidst strangers, I hadn’t felt like one. I was a part of Mohammed’s family. They had lovingly welcomed me to their house. Whether a Hindu or a Muslim, our religions didn’t matter. We talked about our country as One. India belongs to both of us. Isn’t that what Independence is also about? Freedom from negative thinking that divides us because of our religions. Today was the best way to celebrate Independence Day.
Wow…this post looks so beautiful with colourful kite photos. Nice street photography.Very well captured 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Varsha! It was a fun and interesting day. Old Delhi has so much action all the time that it makes a great experience for photographers.
A lovely way to celebrate Independence Day indeed. I wasn’t aware of the historical event tied to kite flying. Loved the varieties of kite and no points for guessing my favourite one there ! Of course, the one with our prime minister in there 😊
There are a whole array of fascinating kites that were there. But our PM stole the show. Thanks for your comment Swati.
Very well written post with beautiful photos 👍 Dipali. Thanks for taking us through the Lal Kaun market ☺
Thank you so much, Sachin. I’m glad you like it.
An well informative post covering up different scenarios and people’s attachment with flag and Independence day celebration.
The dish of puri is mouthwatering.
Captures are fantastic.
Thanks, Jyotirmoy! It was wonderful to see the exuberance of the people everywhere. They all make for good captures.
Gorgeous tricolor kites flying and can imagine the happiness at the sight. Love the amazing pictures celebrating a nation in effervescence.
Thank you for the lovely feedback. It was wonderful to see the kites flying in the sky.
Wonderful pictures and loved the post! You have truly showcased the spirit of Independence and I had no idea about the history of flying kites.
It is such a pleasure to come back to your blog over and over again. I learn how to write engaging and informative posts and how pictures clicked the right way can make a huge difference in creating an impact.
wow…wonderfully captured independence celebration moments. The kite flying movement is new for me, I did not know about it. Memories of my visit to Lal Quila and chandni chowk got refreshed. Thank for sharing.
#mannreads
Lovely visuals, Dipali that have captured the essence of old Delhi very well. Also, your post has made me nostalgic of my childhood. I love kite flying, but in Gujarat, we fly kites on Makar Saktranti – 14th and 15th January. The atmosphere is pretty much like it is in Delhi, the preparations start weeks in advance – patang, manja (Surti manja is very famous just like Bareilley’s), sun glasses and all. Now, that I am in Mumbai, I miss the Uttarayan of Ahmedabad!
You definitely took me to Delhi! I have never been there, but this post made me go there! It was so colorful and friendly. In Chennai, the kite-flying competitions happened when I was young! Now, I really have no idea about them! I need to check them again and fly one on my own! Thanks Dipali!
I always found it odd and wanted to know that why people fly kites in Delhi on independence day. Today I know it. Thank you for sharing the information. I didn’t have it in my dreams that it was a strategy to boycott Simon commission.
Just the pictures caught my eye and I clicked on this post. Thank you for that wonderful virtual tour of Lal Kuan. It was amazing!
Wasnt aware of kite flying associated with independence day. Seriously a very colorful way to celebrate freedom, true in every sense. #LiveItYoungReads #MyFriendAlexa