Dec 13, 2010

International Kite Festival 2010 - Mangalore

Someone said it so right, "When you gaze the sky so often, your horizons broaden, You are after all sending to the clouds that part of your soul, which has its colours intact and has not forgotten to soar..."

Wanted to share one of my biggest passions with you all; Kite Flying. Here are a few pics from the International Kite Festival 2010 which was organized in Mangalore at Panambur Beach. Every year lakhs of visitors from in and around Mangalore gather here to wittness this rare event. I have been very fortunate to be a small part of the Team-Mangalore Kite Club which are also the Organizers of this festival and the only Kite Club in Mangalore.

Logo of the International Kite Festival 2010. Sponsors this time were ONGC & MRPL. Venue has invariably been Panmbur Beach, Mangalore


Teams from various countries around the world come here to participate in this 2 day festival. And came along, some of the most wonderful and stunning collection of kites ranging from Inflatable Kites, Fighter Kites, Stunt Kites, Power Kites and Kite Trains.


Ever seen a Penguin fly so high....


Giant Penguin Inflatable Kite. This was one of the biggest attractions of the festival 2010. Brought by the AWITA Kite club (All Ways In The Air) a very popular Kite Club from France. It was absolutely stunning to see the Giant Penguin flap its wings with the flow of air.


This Kite only reminds me of one man -Mr Beans. Giant Teady Kite from France by AWITA Club.


This Kite gave all other kites in sky a run for their money. It was a major attraction among kids. It was usual to see groups of kids around the fence appreciating this amazing kite.


Humpty Dumpty didnt just sit on a little wall this time but choose to fly much higher than any one else.


Fishes also fly in this world....Giant Fish Kite by AWITA Club, France.


Even I got a chance to participate in the festival, which brings together people from all walks of the life. My little contribution - the Bird Kite and the Wolrd War 2 inspired Aircraft Kite, few from my little but proud collection.


It is unbelievable to see anything and everything fly. These Kites are called Box Kites and they can fly only in winds higher than 5 knots.


007 is here......Giant Octopussy Kite.....


We had to literally search for a piece of open sky to raise our kites. It was the most colourful sky I ever saw.




Heat was unbearable with the sun blazing right over your head but where do you have time to even give it a thought.




The Knight is back.......Bat-Man Kite


Dove Collection by World known Kite Designer and the biggest Kite enthusiast Mr. Carl Longbottom and his wife from United Kingdom. Google the name for some mindblowing deatils.


These doves stay connected to each other and keep flapping their wings so hard that the sound can be heard from a distance and misunderstood for a real bird flock.


My dream is to fly, over the rainbow so high...


These Kites are called Giant Turbines. They need tremendous amount of wind to stay in air and keep rotating as the wind flows thruough.


Giant Fish Kite


Pengiun Kite, starts getting some rigging problems now.

Kite had to be brought down for adjustments and rigging.

A Band from Kerala, playing Indian Classical music to keep the fliers spirits high.

First Kite being raised in sky by Team Mangalore Kite Club marking the commencement of the International kite Festival 2010

Cant even explain it in words the happiness I felt deep down in my heart to have a snap clicked with this legend of Aerial Kite Photography. Mr. Nicolas Chorier a french Photographer who makes fascinating Aerial Photos with a special camera hanging down from his custom designed Kites which broadcasts its picture down to a screen with him. Click on this link of his personal website which displays few of his works and I'm sure it will leave you spellbound www.nicopix.com


Kite indigenously being created and designed by Team Mangalore kite club which also holds a Limca Book of world record for the Largest Kite in India. This kite is called Bhoota Kala, and depicts the local ritual of spirit worship among the people of coastal Karnataka. Kite is around 12 Ft high and 8 Ft wide with spars made of bamboo.

Material which is being used to design such kites is called Rip-Stop. Being very expensive and rare in demand, this material is not available in our country and is often imported at much higher rates.

Have plenty more photographs on Kites to share with you all but will bring them on under some other title. Hope you found it interesting to get back in childhood.

Dec 12, 2010

Udaipur; The City of Lakes & Palaces

This is my first post on the blog. Wanted to share pics of our recent trip to the most amazing city of Rajasthan, Udaipur; the city of lakes and palaces, the birth place of the greatest warrior of Mewar; Maharana Pratap

The majestic City Palace of Udaipur, built by Maharana Udai Singh also the founder of city of Udaipur


Udaipur was the capital city of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar then..

Palace is divided into two halfs. This half is open for the people to see however the other half is the one where the present king & royal family of Udaipur lives

One of the biggest attractions of the historic city of Udaipur

This canon one time being used to protect the palace from invaders now stands at the majestic entrance for the palace overlooking the city

Coat of arms of the kingdom of Mewar ruled by Ranawats of the Sisodiya clan

Lake Palace situated in the middle of Lake Pichola, once a summer palace for royal family, now a world known Heritage Hotel of the prestigious Taj Group

Entrance of Saheliyon Ki Bari, one of the most beautiful gardens of India


Saheliyon ki bari was built for the 48 maidens meant to be a part of the dowry of the princess

Lotus pond; a part of Saheliyon ki bari garden

Maharana Pratap Memorial erected atop Moti magri near Fateh Sagar Lake

Royal sign of the State of Mewar, which is even being seen now on the uniforms of all solders and servants of the palace

Bronze statue of the Rajput hero, Maharana Pratap riding on the legendary and loyal horse 'Chetak'

Place is good enough to bring out the sleeping warrior inside you

Jag Niwas Palace now known as Nehru Garden is an island in the middle of Fateh Sagar Lake. This lake even has a Solar Observatory built on one of its islands

Sukhadiya Circle; unbelievable to know that this big landmark of the city is actually a Chowraha on one of the busiest road junction of the city. People especially couples go there to spend holidays and evenings


One of the funniest and the most complicated Puppet show I have ever seen. At occasions will make you feel that those threads are in magical hands

Dance form called Bhivai, performed by folk artists of rajasthan

A few pics from the famous Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal which has been preserving the traditional folk art of Rajasthan since last 50 years








Entrance to Shipgram, the crafts village, preserving the cultural heritage of Rajasthan and its handicrafts






A unique art of music called Tera tali, a traditional folk art of rajasthan





There is a little bit of Nat Geo in everyone of us. Got this amazing pic after clicking tens of them

The famous Ghoomar dance being performed by folk artists

Pottery anyone ?

One of the most melodious folk music I have ever seen performed. Group singing the iconic song 'Kesariya Balam Padharo ni Mhare des'

Dont be surprised to this... Parents getting their son clicked in a traditional Rajasthani attire, as a souvenir of their memorable trip to Rajasthan. We still have some time to have this pleasure.