For Old Delhi's DIY kite-flyers, sky the only limit

NEW DELHI: Mohammed Gufran can keep an eight-foot-wide Tricolour kite buoyant in the most turbulent weather. While others might need support to get this kite off the ground, he can single-handedly send it soaring, even without wind. He's sharpened his skills over three decades, practising four to five hours daily. From bringing down close to 50 kites with just one or holding his own for two hours, Gufran has many feats to his credit.His friends joke that he can navigate a kite from the window of his apartment in congested Chandni Mahal area.
Gufran is part of a clique of passionate kite-flyers who still make their own kites, get sharp strings custom-made from Lucknow or Allahbad while sourcing the normal ones from Bareilly. He is ready to plunge into the August 15 festivities when the skies will be dotted and his will not be the only kite. "For many August 15 is the occasion to fly kites but for me every day is Independence Day," he smiles.
As always, his friend Mohammed Atiq from Choori Walan will give him company. Atiq and Gufran have a two-decade-old bond which only was strengthened by their common interests. Apart from spending hours flying kites, they have participated in numerous competitions across the city. While they are members of the Meena Bazaar Kite Flying club, they have formed their own Modern Kite Flying club.
The number of enthusiasts are dwindling as few are committed to this art. "A reel of sharp string costs Rs 200 while the normal one comes for Rs 40. A decent kite costs Rs 10. Flying just four to five kites in a day using two to three reels can be expensive," says Atiq. Other club members blamed the lack of open spaces in Old Delhi for the sagging interest. "Thanks to unplanned constructions, the wind direction is unfavourable, making kite-flying strenuous," said another member.
Mohammed Akhlaq and Mohammed Naeem, from Meena Bazaar, agree that pursuing this passion regularly can be a task. Kite-flying enthusiasts in their college days, their passion nowadays is limited to trawling the Lal Kuan area to get fancy kites for their kids around August 15.
The regular tournaments held atop the market are another attraction. "Kite-flyers from across the city descend on Meena Bazaar," says Naeem.
Gufran can maneuver the kite with his nimble fingers. He still sharpens the sticks, bends them to form a perfect arc and improve balance along with painting fancy patterns on the kite. "Besides catching the eye, these kites can confuse the opponent," he says. "We would want to tie 200 kites to one string and balance them in the skies or have three 10-foot-wide kites being flown with a single string."
They want to pass their skills on to the next generation. "My son gets excited on seeing kites in my hand. It gives me hope that the art won't die out," asserts Gufran.