Do You Fly Kites?

[Pensive]

Today, it is Basant over here. Basant is the festival in Spring when there are kites everywhere on the sky, and when environment is full of people shouting "Bo-kata" (this is an expression used when people cut the kites of others).

Along with all its enjoyment and good aspects, there are some negative effects of it as well. For example, the use of chemical threads (with the help of which the kites are flown), has led people to deaths, here in Pakistan. People have tasted severe injuries, and even death because the knife-like chemical thread touched their necks when they were on motor-cycles. This can be controlled, if people stop using the chemical thread, and don't fly kites carelessly on roofs without walls or anything to support them.

Is this festival also being celebrated in your part of the world? Or have you ever flown kites? Do you think that you would like having a festival like this? I am just curious to know what is the attitude of people from all over the world about such a festival.

Personally, I am not celebrating it, and am not too keen towards it. The sound of music (people have their music decks on full volume) brought sleep in my eyes after quite a time, last night. So I am a bit enraged on it, and can't help to like it all. But on the contray, the sight of people, happy and celebrating, looks good as well.

[Madhuri]

I used to fly kites when I was younger, still in school and when my brothers were here. Its not really a festival, but, here kites are flown on 15th August, which is our Independence Day. This kite flying freely in the air symbolises freedom, and on this day you'll see the sky full of kites, and here also people shout Bo-Kata, kanni kaati, when they cut other people's kite.

I personally enjoyed this, as sometimes my elder brother will let me hold it, when its flying, but usually my job was of a kite runner :D.

But, this chemical threads is what I am not aware of, nobody uses such means here, and I am surprised, how are these available for sale at your place. This sounds very risky and doesnt serve the purpose of the fun assciated with kite flying.

[Pensive]

I used to fly kites when I was younger, still in school and when my brothers were here. Its not really a festival, but, here kites are flown on 15th August, which is our Independence Day. This kite flying freely in the air symbolises freedom, and on this day you'll see the sky full of kites, and here also people shout Bo-Kata, kanni kaati, when they cut other people's kite.

I personally enjoyed this, as sometimes my elder brother will let me hold it, when its flying, but usually my job was of a kite runner :D.

But, this chemical threads is what I am not aware of, nobody uses such means here, and I am surprised, how are these available for sale at your place. This sounds very risky and doesnt serve the purpose of the fun assciated with kite flying.

Oh yes, these chemical threads really take the fun out of the kite running and kite flying. They are actually banned by the government, but still people manage to get them illegally.

[manolia]

In my country 40 days before Easter begins a period when we do not eat meat, milk and products that come from animals (though most peolpe tend to shorten that period or do not follow the custom at all). This period is called "nistia". At the first day of this period (which is always a Monday) people use to eat fish (every kind of it) and vegetables and a specially made bread and also we fly kites (i do not know why though). This day is called "Clean Monday". Of course it is a holiday so people do not go to work and it is really nice for the children. When i was little, i remember, my uncle used to make me a kite (it is not that difficult) and we were always anxious to make it fly. Really nice!! Thanx for helping me remember that pensive! Actually, last Monday was "Clean Monday" but i did not do anything special. I guess i was so tired for an excursion and i stayed in bed..

[ennison]

There are a lot of kite flyers in some of these threads. Check idiom.

[jon1jt]

kite flying is a simple, fun way for a child to connect with the world around her. i used to fly kites as a kid and still recall running with my cord hoping the kite would lift me off the ground and sail me along the big windy sky.

i dont know anything about chemical threads. supervision is important, I suppose, even flying old school kites. i like the idea of a kite festival because people of all ages can take part. It can also generate an interest in simple activities that invite people outdoors.

in the 1980s, people complained kids spent too much time watching television. today, kids AND adults spend too much time watching TV and being online. an American kite festival may actually shake some of them out of their technology-laden nests, even if for only a day. :)

[Pensive]

In my country 40 days before Easter begins a period when we do not eat meat, milk and products that come from animals (though most peolpe tend to shorten that period or do not follow the custom at all). This period is called "nistia". At the first day of this period (which is always a Monday) people use to eat fish (every kind of it) and vegetables and a specially made bread and also we fly kites (i do not know why though). This day is called "Clean Monday". Of course it is a holiday so people do not go to work and it is really nice for the children. When i was little, i remember, my uncle used to make me a kite (it is not that difficult) and we were always anxious to make it fly. Really nice!! Thanx for helping me remember that pensive! Actually, last Monday was "Clean Monday" but i did not do anything special. I guess i was so tired for an excursion and i stayed in bed..

Actually, "kite flying" is always associated with celebration, so after nistia, people must be merry because they no longer have to follow vegetarian diet. This can be a reason to why they fly kites at that time. :)

Thanks for your replies! It is interesting to know about different cultures. :D

[miss tenderness]

Today, it is Basant over here. Basant is the festival in Spring when there are kites everywhere on the sky, and when environment is full of people shouting "Bo-kata" (this is an expression used when people cut the kites of others).

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seems intersting,I'd love to attend it one day:yawnb:

[papayahed]

I have a kite. My Uncles have a cottage in Northern Michigan and I guess theres a lot of kite flyers up there. Both Uncles have fairly large kites and one time we had to stop at the kite store cause one of them needed string or something.... anyways I ended up buying my own. At first I thought it was odd that there was a whole store devoted to kites.... We don't have large kites festivals like the ones you describe, Pensy.