atulaLet’s paint the sky red, blue, orange, green…..
January 14th 2009 07:32
The day is January 14th and the place is Gujarat, India. If you are here and are just in the mood to look at the blue sky, you might not be able to do so. Perhaps, in glimpses and patches, but definitely not the clear blue sky you are used to watching every day with just clouds and birds. Because, on January 14th each year, the sky is flooded with rainbow of colours marking the remarkable day of Uttarayan – the Kite Festival.
Uttarayan (known as Makar Sakranti in other parts of India) is the day when the sun starts to travel northwards marking the decline of winter. The days become longer, the skies clearer and the breeze cooler. A feeling of anticipation, joy and jubilation grips all who celebrate the occasion of thanksgiving and merry-making.
Gujarat celebrates 2,000 festivals every year! Among these, the festival of Uttarayan is one of the grandest. Age, gender, caste, creed are all forgotten in the friendly battle between two kites, one trying to cut the other. All you can see is hundreds of happy faces and all engrossed in looking up high in the sky, either concentrating on flying the kite or admiring the great spectacle themselves. Crowded rooftops, fun-loving rivalry to outdo each other in kite flying skills and delicious traditional Gujarati feast are the hallmarks of the day.
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 splendor to the dark sky. What's more, the day is marked with the traditional food/delicacy festival of Gujarat like the undhiyu (a delicacy of vegetables), jalebi (sweets), til ladoo (sweets made of sesame seeds) and chikki for the guests from different parts of world.
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