Kites were first invented in Asia, in China to be precise in the 5th century BC by philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban. They were made of silk that was used for sails and the framework was made of bamboo. Paper kites came into being around 549 BC and were used to test the wind, lift men, measure distance, and communicate for military ops.
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When kites came to India, they slowly evolved into fighter kites. We know those colloquially as ‘patangs’. Thousands of kites are flown during a Makar Sankranti in the state of Gujarat (not to say that other states don’t follow this ritual, that’s the beauty of India we mix well). The state also hosts the International Kite Flying Festival on this day.
How Are Kites Made?
Kites are not limited to one material only. A marvel of physics, this piece of beauty can be made from many things like plastic, leaves, wood, metal, nylon, and even scrap materials. The kites flown on Uttarayan are made of lightweight paper and bamboo, and are mostly rhombus shaped with a central spine and a single bow. Dye and paint are also added to increase the glamour of the kite.
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The special thread attached to kites that are instrumental in flying them is made by coating the thread with a mixture of glue and ground glass, which is then dried and rolled onto reels known as ‘firkees’. The ground glass makes the thread quite dangerous. It cuts the fingers that control it while the kite is flown and is also known to gravely injure birds and even humans who come in its way.
The thread, also knows as a maanja, is made of fine pure cotton thread which is then coated in the mixture described above.
In July 2017, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a countrywide ban on ‘Chinese manja’, noting that its use has not only resulted in injuries to birds, animals, and human beings but also caused fatal accidents. However, over the years, the use of synthetic ‘manja’ while kite flying has continued in the Capital. [Source]
Make A Kite At Home
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