Mangaluru: Colourful kites paint the sky at Panambur beach

Mangaluru: Jan 16: Hundreds of colourful kites adored the skies of Panambur beach at the International Kite Festival organised by Rotary International in the city on Saturday.

Kite flyers from various countries took part in the fest and variety of uniquely-shaped kites reflected the theme ‘One kite, one earth, one family’.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Michael Alwares from Australia said that he has been flying the box kite, which is a typical Australian kite. He said the 15 metre long kite has 20 box shaped kites attached to it symmetrically. Alwares, who has been nurturing this hobby for the last 32 last years, has been teaching children kite-flying at various places. Alwares said it is his first time in an International Kite Festival.

Ashok H Shah from Dahane, Maharastra, said he is represents his professional kite flyers group, Ashok Designer Kite and had brought 30 kites. He said he is taking part in the kite festival for the fourth time in Mangaluru. The 300-feet bird train kite and 3D tiger kite were among the kites flown by him. He has won several prizes in Gujarat Kite Festival and holds a Limca Record for conducting workshop for 1,100 children at a time on kite flying in Sholapur. He added the crowd in Mangaluru is disciplined and the wind is excellent.

The traditional Cambodian kite, which creates musical sounds when it flies, stickless balloon-like kites and turbine shaped rotating kite attracted attention. Kites designed in the form of octopus, fish, cow and such other kites in different shapes and sizes amused the crowd.

Ariel photography, based on picavet lacing technique, carried out by NITK?team led by Dr Prithviraj, Assistant Professor, department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraullics, were among the highlights of the fest.

Kite photography competition was also held on the occasion. Participants from Australia, Cambodia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kuwait, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and United Kingdom took part. Rotary International District Governor Dr Bharatesh inaugurated the fest. Ramakrishna Kamath and Team Mangalore Founder Sarvesh Rao were present among others.