Women breathe life into Uttarayan

if you thought flying kites is a male domain we suggest you read on. here's what the pioneer in the serious study and safeguarding of indian kites, bhanu shah, has to say on the issue: "that presumption is far from the truth. in fact, it is the woman who breathes life into uttarayan. she adds colour to the festival. can you imagine a festival without her?" well, women just don't stand around looking pretty holding 'phirkis' or serving snacks to men who go about flying kites as the 'festival on the city's roofs' unwinds.right from making kites to flying them — women play an active role. did you know that a majority of muslim women in kalupur and jamalpur areas of the city are engaged in making kites all through the year, except during the monsoon, to meet the growing demand? "these women give shape to the kite. they fix the vertical stick, triangular 'gulla' and arch after the master kite-maker cuts the paper for them," says shah, adding it is women again who are involved in giving the festival its cutting edge. drive down any street on either bank of the sabarmati around this time of the year and you'll find women coating the 'manja' with glue, water and glass pieces. then, it's not difficult to spot a woman selling colourful kites right on the footpath if not from a makeshift shack. contrary to popular belief, women flying kites isn't a recent trend. a mewar painting of the late 18th century shows women flying the complicated 'tukkal' kites, which are still flown in punjab. miniature paintings also illustrate women from royal families flying decorative kites. "when it comes to kite-flying, women in ahmedabad are shoulder-to shoulder with men. girls are always in the forefront in kite-flying. there is absolutely no gender bias. they enjoy the festival a lot. in fact, in the last 10 years, there has been a change in the dress code for women. they wear stylish hats and sunglasses and add more colour to the festival," says esther david, author and artist. "both my daughters love flying kites. in fact, in our apartment in old city, girls outnumber boys in kite flying. initially my daughters used to hold my son's 'phirki'. but then with time they picked it up and mastered the art of kite flying." says sowbhagyabati anthure, a home-maker in her mid-50s. shah agrees boys have had the edge over girls in picking up the art of flying kites "primarily because girls are expected to help out in household chores, while boys can spend as long as they want honing their skills." but times are changing. "over the years, there is an increase in the number of girls flying the kites. but today it's a different story. more and more girls are taking to kite flying thanks to the changing lifestyle," says anusuya patel who has been living in ahmedabad for the last 20 years. "i have always enjoyed kite-flying since my childhood. there was absolutely no restriction on kite-flying. i don't see any thing masculine about kite-flying. you should know the trick. in fact, i am famous in my friend circle for cutting into other people's kites," says sejal rathod, a young girl in her 20s. so, it's time for soaring spirits and there is no limit for flying high. are you ready with your kite? ahmedabadtimes@indiatimes.com