11/13/2023 0 Comments Indian kite fightingCompetitors coat their string with a paste of a glass powder, starch, and glue and try to cut their opponent’s line, encircle their kite, and bring it down as a trophy. His grandfather was prime minister to the king of Rampur, back when it was an independent state, so the family was well-off, living in a three-story home with a wide rooftop.Ĭhildren have the run of Indian roofs the way American kids do their backyards, Bahadur explained, and while he doesn’t remember hoisting his first kite - “Do you remember watching your first cartoon?” he asked - he does recall countless hours of flying and fighting up there.Īs central as kites are to Indian culture - they practically block out the sun during the country’s many yearly festivals - so is the practice of fighting them, Bahadur went on. | Credit: Ingrid Bostromīahadur grew up in Rampur, India, which is known as “The City of Kites.” Most of the population there earns a living making or selling them. Bahadur’s four grandchildren will also join the fun.ĬHOOSE YOUR WEAPON: Rakesh Bahadur holds a traditional Indian fighting kite. “A rock on a string doesn’t count,” he said.īut the main event is the tail chase, where groups of kids run and grab for a kite flown by the master himself, who steers with such precision that he could knock your hat off your head from 100 yards away. “Everyone is welcome.” By the end of the day, Hefferman will crown, among others, the most beautiful, most unique, and most un-flyable kites. “It’s always amazing to us how many colors are added to the sky by entire families of kite flyers,” said Hefferman. It’s free, there’s parking nearby, and there will be food and plenty of kites for purchase. to 4 p.m., Bahadur and longtime event organizer David Hefferman will host the 37th year of the Santa Barbara Kite Festival on the west campus lawn of Santa Barbara City College. “I’ve met so many people flying kites,” Bahadur said, including his wife. Every passing person looked up and smiled. He admits it’s hard to put into words the thing he’s been doing since he was little.īahadur instead demonstrated his technique on a recent morning at the end of the Santa Barbara Harbor breakwater, first with a zippy teal fighter, then with a big white number stitched with a rainbow unicorn. Those are the two pieces of advice you’ll get from Santa Barbara’s resident kite master, Rakesh Bahadur, when you pick his brain about the best way to fly.
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