City’s first kite festival, jointly organised by Jeevandhara, Navi Mumbai Krida Sankul, Navi Mumbai Kala Sankul and Navi Mumbai Sahitya and Sanskrutik Parishad will be held on January 25 at Nisarga Udyan in Koparkhairane’s sector 23.
The event will feature professional kitists who will exhibit their prowess at kite cutting. Thane guardian minister Ganesh Naik will be the chief guest for the festival.
“There will be around 40 professional kite fliers and fighters who will entertain the crowd during the festival. Display of kites that are 150 feet in length is a highlight. We have procured variety of kites from Nashik and these will be available for free for the visitors. The festival is an initiative to bring together many kite enthusiasts and give Navi Mumbaikars a chance to have a joyous weekend,” said Ritesh
Das, one of the organisers, adding that professionals will indulge in nerve wracking kite cutting.
The main attraction at this festival is India’s well-known kitist as well as kite designer Mehul Pathak’s show. Pathak along with a 16-member group will put up some fascinating kite shows that is sure to be a feast for the eyes, more so for children.
“We will have kites ranging from 6 feet to 150 feet for the kite show and in the morning we will also fly a wide variety of colourful kites, including 2D and 3D ones. At night, we will also have LED kites that have been made by us,” said Mehul Pathak adding, “We have participated in many kite festivals throughout the country and abroad but this our first time in Navi Mumbai. So we are looking forward to create a liking for this activity among Navi Mumbaikars.
He has represented India in the Commonwealth Games in kite flying. A native of Gujarat where kite flying is a very popular activity, Pathak is the founder of Kite Club India and has flown kites with eminent personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan and Chetan Bhagat. He has participated in festivals at Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai.
As soon as the festival was announced, many came forward to take part as kite flying has been a childhood hobby. Aznab Qureshi, a fruit vendor in APMC market, along with his nephew Rizwan Qureshi will be taking part in the festival.
“Kite flying has been a favourite pass time in our family for long. My father and his brother used to indulge in it, so we got hooked to it. This is the first time I am taking part in a festival in Navi Mumbai and I hope to have a great time,” says Qureshi.
The festival will start at 9am and the entry is free.
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