Date:15/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011557520100.htm

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Imported kites become a rage

Abhijit Dev Kumar

Chinese kites in shapes of eagles, owls and fighter jets sell like hot cakes

— Photo: Satish H.

Flying high: Kites from China are available at the market in Gulzar Houz.

HYDERABAD: After toys, batteries, mobile phones and electronic goods, it’s now time for the Chinese to invade the Hyderabad skies too.

If you happen to see some variety kites flying on the Hyderabad cityscape, make no mistakes about it. It’s the Chinese invasion, as one would vouchsafe after a quick tour of old city, where demand for Chinese kites has increased manifold.

The usual diamond-shaped kite is passé. These kites imported from China are literally a kite enthusiast’s delight. They come in shapes of eagles, parrots, owls, parachutes and fighter jets in camouflage patches. The high price, ranging between Rs. 150 and Rs. 500 a piece, is not exactly a dampener for the enthusiasts. It’s just not kites, the all-important ‘manja’ is also supplied by China nowadays.

Made of lightweight materials like nylon and plastic frames, these kites are literally sold like hot cakes. “Imported kites come from countries where people take up kite flying as a hobby. A variety of kites from Taiwan and Indonesia are also available in the market”, says Bhagwandas Bajaj of Bajaj Patang Mahal at Gulzar Houz.

These kites have flexible plastic rods making up for the frame which has a fixed nylon cloth and a PVC wire used for flying it. The PVC wire is also available for Rs.5 a bundle, replacing the conventional thread. “There are readymade hooks on those kites. So one has to just tie the strings of equal length to maintain the balance and the kite is ready to fly,” says a kite dealer at Begum Bazaar.

Chinese manja

The Chinese manja, which looks like the normal ‘desi’ variety has bits of plastic and is stated to be stronger. Each reel costs about Rs. 200. “I’ve bought desi as well as Chinese manja. The sellers guarantee that this manja is the best. There is only one way of testing this -- kite fighting,” says Vishnu Vardhan, an avid kite enthusiast.

So, if you are looking at breaking away from flying traditional kites, go ahead, grab one of the Chinese kites and see them soar.