Nearly 2,500 participants, mostly expatriates, attended the huge kite-flying event organized in Riyadh last Friday. Men and children dominated the event, but with a lack of women (unlike other countries where the event is enjoyed by the masses). Kite sales surged and were imported from Pakistan for the occasion. Prices varied from SR5 to SR25 depending upon the size and type of kite. The string, called “Dor” in Urdu, is a special thread coated with a mixture of crushed mirror or glass to make it sharp. Every string differs in its strength and thickness.
Inam Ul Haq, a participant at the event, reveled in this experience: “Normally, two kites are flown high in the sky from two different groups of people. When the strings intersect each other, one has to cut, and one has to survive. This fight of kites, called “Paicha” in Urdu, is won on technique and experience. The survivor receives accolades and applause.”
Kite flyers are most sensitive about the material of the thread that waves the kite and believe it is as essential as the kite itself for victory in their aerial combat.
Kites were used approximately 2,800 years ago in China where materials ideal for kite building — silk for sail material; fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework — were readily available.
Patang Baazi is a cultural sport in India whereas Basant is a kite-flying festival from Pakistan. Kite flying is mostly celebrated and performed on rooftops, gardens, streets of the famous Kabul (in Hosseini’s words) and parties in social clubs. It is traditionally famous in Rajasthan, India, as well as in Lahore, Pakistan, where the festival is celebrated in bright colored attire worn by men and women of all ages.
Kite flying is celebrated on the day of Sankaranti welcoming spring, bidding farewell to the cold fogs of winter. Women adorn their hands with henna and bangles, and boys wear their starched kurtas (traditional wear) displaying a sense of enjoyment levied with freedom. It is, however, a very serious sport in action — almost a war of kites.
In India, most of the kite flying sports are performed in broad daylight; while Lahoris, who enjoy nighttime kite-flying, have Lahore fort open to them. Ancient palaces throw open their doors for all-night parties to view the kites, illuminated by spotlights lighting up the sky. Songs, dance and classical folk songs and Qawwali musicians perform at the event.
Most participants believe kites fly high with optimism, an element of hope we need in our daily lives. The event is planning to move to Jeddah and Alkhobar. It is also a way to unite people from diverse cultures and traditions, separated by boundaries, with a sport they are passionate about.
A line from Hosseini’s book grabs me at the sight of fathers flying kites with their children, letting them loose and setting them free like kites in the sky:

This is not a Kabul dream. This is a human dream.