Paper Kites of Gujarat

Patang is the local word for a kite. The largest hub of kite production is Gujarat. Vadodara, Surat and Ahmedabad are the majr cities which are known for their kite markets. Although in India kite flying is indulged mostly on special occasions such as ‘Makar Sakranti’, kite markets in Gujarat are always on boom. Kites for Uttarayan are made from a special lightweight paper which ads velocity to the flight of the kite. The kite festival in Gujarat is an amazing spectacle. People from all over the globe come to enjoy the sight of the vibrant colours and patterns on these kites flowing in the air.

The craft production of the kites dates back to the historic reign of the Mughal empire. The first centers of production were set up in Ahemadabad. The community of people who indulged in this craft was called Patangbaaz. The initial shape of the kite was that of a prism and has slightly evolved since then. Earlier candle or qandeel were also used to add to the velocity and glory of the flying kite. Today one can see kites of various types depending on the purpose. They are commonly engineered in quadrangular shape for better mobility and control to the kite flyers.