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Pakistanis mark kite-flying festival

DUBAI — Flying kites of all sizes and colours, the Pakistani community celebrated Basant, the popular kite-flying festival, yesterday.

Kite lovers from the community await advent of the spring season, celebrated with kite flying, eagerly each year.

A gathering of yound and old old flew their favourite kites at Al Ghusias cricket ground last night.

“I look forward to this day every year because it reminds me of home in Lahore which is famous for its fun and festive spirit, especially during Basant and other similar festivals,” said Mohammed Zakaria.

He said that at this time of the year, he and his friends make it a point to meet at the ground to have fun. “Sometimes we order kites and Dor (the string used to fly a kite) from Pakistan, but we often also buy it from here,” he said.

According to the traditional game, kite lovers and fliers turning their sights skywards applaud an ongoing ‘kite-cutting’ competition. After an opponent’s kite has been ‘cut’ by letting the Dor down upon the opponent’s dor and tugging at it, Bhangra dance, screams of joy and blasting of horns announces the victory of the kite-cutter.

“I have been flying kites since I was a little boy,” said Ali Kaleem who was accompanied by his children, wife and other family friends. “I come here every year because I want my children to be familiar with this festival of colour and fun. It also reminds me of home,” he added.

With lilting Punjabi numbers blaring from the nearby parked cars, Ali’s wife, Ammara said. “Though I do not fly kites myself, I enjoy watching the game and the sight of colourful kites dotting the sky. I love dressing up in yellow and orange, which are basant colours, and watching people compete with each other,” she added.

Kaleem’s friend, Maher, informed that the wind has to be just right for kite flying. “If the wind is strong, then the string breaks quickly and the kite breaks off and if there is no wind, a lot of effort is needed to keep it in air,” he explained the technique.