International Kite Festival takes off in Tannirbhavi Beach

International Kite Festival takes off in Tannirbhavi Beach

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 11, 2024: On Saturday, February 10th, the ONGC-MRPL International Kite Festival, organized by Team Mangalore, unfolded its vibrant spectacle at Tannibhavi Beach, as kite enthusiasts from various countries unleashed their dreams into the sky.

A total of 40 kite flyers, including representatives from eight foreign nations, graced the 7th edition of this two-day festival. The sky above Mangalore’s shore was adorned with a myriad of kites, ranging from whimsical characters like Octopus, cats, fish, to beloved cartoon figures such as the ‘Incredible Hulk’ and ‘Tinkerbell’.

The event commenced with an official inauguration by Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and in-charge of Dakshina Kannada District. Mr. Rao took flight with kites bearing flags symbolizing ‘Constitution Preamble’ and promoting awareness about the Constitution, joined by Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan and Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal.

Despite challenging winds, Fly 360 Kite club from Dahanu endeavored to launch their ‘Ganapati’ inflatable kite, piloted by an ‘Octopus’. Similarly, Abdul Rauf and his team from Mumbai faced hurdles with their ‘101 butterfly’ train kite and 35 star train kite.

Indonesia’s Art Kite team, represented by 67-year-old Liannawati Lie and her son Wenas Ongkowinoto, soared gracefully with their 8-meter-long Tinkerbell inflatable kite, buoyed by the strong wind. Other highlights included Ukraine’s Alex and Thailand’s Nee showcasing their inflatable kite featuring four cats and a tadpole, while Kozhikode’s One India kite team displayed a remarkable 35-foot-long Kathakali kite made of cloth.

Team Mangalore proudly exhibited their oldest and largest Kathakali kite along with a ‘100 Kathakali’ train kite. The festival also featured ‘stunt’ kites, mimicking aerial maneuvers akin to fighter jets, delighting both spectators and participants who joined in the kite-flying festivities with their children.