HYDERABAD: Skies looking colourfully decked up for the festival, and hooting and cheering heard on the rooftops of every house — this is how the festival of Sankranti looks everywhere. As the festival approaches, the sales and demand for kites have also risen significantly. With kites being the main hero of this festival, CE reached out to one of the oldest kite makers in Hyderabad at Dhoolpet. Shankar Singh, a 56-year-old artisan, has been crafting kites and manja, inspired by his 94-year-old mother Savitribai, an expert in kite making.
When asked about his journey in kite making, Shankar shares, “I have seen my mother doing this work. She was actually continuing the work of her grandparents and parents. My father used to work on cycle repairs, and my mother also helped him with those tasks. Eventually, I took over this work by observing her. She is about 94 years old but still loves making kites.”
Speaking about the kites and manja he meticulously creates, Shankar explains, “I make both kites and manja. For manja, I designed a machine using a cycle wheel, bamboo sticks, and spare cycle parts. I make traditional manja, not the Chinese kind. I use rice flour, maida, sago water, glass, and colour to prepare it. I mix these ingredients in a box and feed them into the machine, which I built myself, to produce the manja.”
Shankar has been making kites for 40 years and began creating manja three years ago. He says, “I am well-known for my kites, but when it comes to manja, people are still getting to know about my work. We are famous for kites and offer many varieties, from small to large ones.
I’ve sold out all the larger kites and am currently short on the sticks required to make more. I also underwent heart surgery last year, which has slowed me down. However, if I can source the sticks, I will resume making kites. I start crafting them at the beginning of January and continue until February. People buy these kites from me at wholesale prices and sell them elsewhere.”
When asked if he enjoys making kites, Shankar reflects, “It’s not about whether I like this work; it’s about necessity. This work provides my bread and butter and helps me earn a living. I haven’t made too many this year, but crafting these kites helps pass the time, so in a way, it feels good.”
Despite the rise of Chinese materials during the festive season that have impacted traditional kite makers like Shankar and his mother, their passion and dedication to their craft remain undiminished. Supporting such artisans by purchasing their kites not only makes the festival brighter but also helps preserve this timeless art form and improves their livelihood.