Flying Kites, Flying Dreams

On Jan. 14, over many states in India, people take to fields, open grounds, rooftops, every square bit of space that views a bit of sky above, holding square scraps of color, fat spools of thread, ready to let their dreams fly - and with these dreams a bit of themselves.

Preparations begin weeks in advance with making a frame in a bow-arrow shape, fixing paper, attaching a tail, correctly orienting tiny holes for thread. Stacks of kites are got ready in each family and threads prepared painstakingly smeared with a paste of powdered glass. Kites, thus armed, fly forth upwards to ultimately rule (by defeating or 'killing' competitors) the vast blue sky!

We, at IISc, celebrated this festival, yesterday - a glorious day of blazing sun, cool breeze, fluffy clouds and high spirits. A morning - just to fly kites and feast! Young and old participated with equal gusto - kites flew till some where just floating dots in the sky, others - uncurbed, challenging beauties that whirled in amazing swirls, loops before diving for the ground, or inexplicably soaring straight up for the skies.

I watched, taking pictures, then giving up on my camera, ran to grab a kite!