Vadodara/Ahmedabad: Come Uttarayan and Gujarat’s skies transform into a stage for the dance of millions of colourful kites from dawn till dusk. This year however, many factors are pulling the strings of the state’s huge, but unorganised market. Despite the high demand, this traditional home-based industry, where kite makers get to work almost ten months before the festival, is witnessing a shortage of raw materials — manja thread, bamboo sticks and even kite paper reams. Which means that the kites that will turn the skies into a kaleidoscope of colours, are pricier this year.
In Gujarat’s coastal town of Khambhat, the state’s traditional kite manufacturing hub, traders say production has dipped by 25-30%. What began as a hobby of the Nawabs who once ruled this erstwhile princely state then called Cambay, has turned into a business with a turnover of Rs 50 crore, earning livelihoods for 1,200 kite-making families from the Muslim and Chunara communities.
“Demand recovered a little after Covid. Last year, around 8 crore kites were made here and supplied to major markets including Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Valsad, Vapi, Bharuch, Nadiad and Saurashtra. This year, production dipped to 5 crore,” says Shankar Chunara, a prominent trader in the coastal town.
“Two years ago, a ream of kite paper cost Rs 810; it’s now Rs 1,170,” he said. Around 1,000 medium-sized kites can be made from one ream. “Similarly, other raw materials, especially bamboo sticks, which we procure from Kolkata and the North East, too have become costlier, from Rs 420 for 1,000 sticks last year to Rs 550 this year. All these factors have resulted in a dip in production,” Chunara says.
A kite passes through seven pairs of hands before it hits the market. In Khambhat, around 7,000 workers, of whom nearly 4,000 are women, are engaged in making these kites, an activity that lasts 10 months. “Along with the raw material cost, labour charges too have increased,” says Bipin Chunara, who, along with other traders, has been demanding benefits like abolition of GST on raw materials.
Like in Khambhat, Mali and Chunara families in Vadodara are involved in kite-making business. Atul Chhatriwala, secretary of the Vadodara Patang Merchant Association, a 45-member body that includes wholesalers, retailers and workers, says a chain reaction, triggered by various factors, has affected kite production and prices in Gujarat.
“A decline in cotton production impacted thread manufacturing. Additionally, bamboo sticks, that form a kite’s support, are supplied from Assam, West Bengal and other North Eastern states and cut into various sizes and polished. Assam was hit by one of its worst floods that affected its bamboo yield, which reflected on supply and eventually, on kite production in Gujarat. Major markets like Vadodara have seen production fall by 20 to 25%. This may differ in other cities as kite-making is traditionally a home-based industry where artisans are from various families and backgrounds,” Chhatriwala added.
Saiyed Mohammed Ikbal, president, Vadodara Patang Merchant Association, estimates that production across Gujarat is much lower, by at least 40%, and also attributes violence in Manipur behind the shortage of bamboo sticks. “The floods in Assam and violence in Manipur hit supply. We faced a shortage of 40-50% when the kite manufacturing process began. Plus, paper reams became costlier by 25-30% compared to two years ago,” he says.
Higher price notwithstanding, Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s biggest kite market, is buzzing, driven by corporate orders and strong consumer interest. Local kite manufacturer Pappubhai Rasoolbhai said, “We began production soon after Diwali, making approximately 4,000 kites a day. Although the high cost of raw materials has pushed prices up, demand too remains high. A stark contrast is Khambhat, where many kite makers have opted out of production this year after a challenging last season, further limiting supply and driving up prices,” he added.
“We are witnessing a good demand for kites and manja. Contemporary designs featuring political leaders, film stars and themes like the Kumbh Mela are particularly popular. Automatic firkis (manja spools) too are seeing brisk sales, thanks to higher disposable incomes,” said Ashish Khajanchi, a leading trader in Ahmedabad.
Kite makers in the city added that manja prices have seen a sharp increase.
“Thread procured from Bareilly is costlier by about 60% this time,” said a manja trader, requesting anonymity. Raju Bhavsar, another trader said, “Uttarayan is among the few festivals that is celebrated by people of all age groups. Although kite thread is costlier this year due to reduced supply, prices of kites have relatively remained stable.”
He added that there is rising demand for premium kites from Punjab, Jaipur and Bareilly, despite them being four times costlier than Gujarat-made ones.
“Accessories like colourful wigs are flying off the shelves, and four days of celebrations this year has further boosted demand.” said Bhavsar.
REELING IN THE MOOLAH WITH PATANG PARTIES IN POLS
In Ahmedabad, Uttarayan brings a lucrative opportunity for homeowners in the city’s historic pols. Terraces of these old houses offering panoramic views and nostalgic charm are rented out as venues for kite-flying parties at premium rates.
Ajay Modi, a travel operator, who grew up in the Walled City’s Khadia area, said, “We are working to attract a diverse clientele, including doctors, CAs, corporate groups, and NRIs. Packages range from Rs 3,000 per person for a group of 10-15. Renting entire terraces costs between Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the terrace size and the number of people to be accommodated. These packages include decorated terraces, food, refreshments, kites, a firki stand, mobile charging points and sound systems.”
Terrace rentals vary based on amenities as well. For instance, tin-roofed terraces command Rs15,000 to Rs20,000, while fully equipped spaces start at Rs25,000 and can go up to Rs50,000. Demand pours in from NRI clients, city residents and even corporate groups.
Dr Hemant Bhatt, secretary of Khadia Itihas Samiti, said, “The demand to rent out terraces is very good this time around. This is mainly true for houses belonging to NRIs or those who have moved out of the walled city to other parts of the city. For the four years or so, many home owners have started maintaining, restoring and repairing their properties. This is good news for heritage homes in the pol.”
Then there are some like Jagdip Mehta, a pol resident who opens his terrace to all at no cost, further adding to the celebratory spirit.
KHAMBHAT’S OWN SPECIAL DAY WITH KITES**
kite-flying was popularised in Khambhat by the Nawabs. The coastal town, however, does not celebrate its kite-flying festival on Jan 14. It celebrates Uttarayan either on Jan 15 or the first Sunday after Jan 14. Kite-flying in Khambhat takes place by the sea and is called ‘dariyai Uttarayan’. Khambhat’s kite-makers are credited with the invention of the ‘cheel’, the most popular fighter kite. Kites as small as two inches to as large as 12ft are made in Khambhat.
**PHOTO QUOTES:**
“Costlier paper reams and shortage of other raw material like bamboo sticks, have led to a nearly 30% drop in production in Gujarat’s traditional kite-making hubs like Khambhat”
Shankar Chunara, trader, Khambhat
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“Short supply of bamboo sticks due to floods in Assam and violence in Manipur resulted in a dip in kite production. Price of paper too has increased, making kites costlier by 15 to 20% this year”
Ikbal Mohammed Saiyed, president, Vadodara Patang Merchant Association
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“Production of thread that goes into making manja was 20% less this year, due to which prices have risen by 10%. We have seen increased demand for automatic spools this year. Due
to high disposable incomes, people spend a good amount of money on this festival”
Ashish Khajanchi, trader
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People are spending more on kites this year. There is good demand for kites from Punjab, Jaipur and Bareilly, which cost four times more than the kites made in Gujarat. Sales of accessories including coloured wigs are brisk. This year, Uttarayan is almost a four-day celebration, which has pushed up demand
Raju Bhavsar | Trader