Tannirbhavi beach comes alive with the ONGC-MRPL Mangaluru International Kite Festival

Tannirbhavi beach comes alive with the ONGC-MRPL Mangaluru International Kite Festival

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 19, 2025: Mangaluru’s Tannirbhavi beach turned into a colorful spectacle as the two-day ONGC-MRPL Mangaluru International Kite Festival commenced on Saturday. Organized by Team Mangalore, this is the eighth edition of the festival in the coastal city.

The sky was adorned with kites of various hues and shapes, including animals, birds, reptiles, flowers, and comic characters, attracting large crowds. Unique stunt kites from Greece added a rhythmic sound to the atmosphere, thanks to a fiber rod design. “These rods help create the sound,” explained Dinesh Holla, an international kite flyer and Team Mangalore member. Aerofoil kites, popular in Europe, also drew attention.

Among the international participants was Guilherme Linares from Italy, who joined the festival for the first time. “The wind speed in Mangaluru is ideal for kite flying,” he noted, commending the organizers for ensuring safety with barricades. “The secure flying area makes us feel safe,” he added.

Flyers Cliiai and Tive from the Octoposse Kite Team of England also made their debut at the event. “We skipped the Gujarat Kite Festival to come directly to Mangaluru. We love India, Mangaluru, and its people,” they said, highlighting the unique charm of the festival.

Dave Hardwick, another international participant, praised the efforts of Team Mangalore in promoting kite flying, a declining tradition in the UK due to the prevalence of digital distractions. “The wind and the smiling faces here are wonderful,” he remarked.

Team Mangalore showcased its famed Kathakali kite, standing 36 feet high and 12 feet wide. Recognized in the Limca Book of Records in 2006, this masterpiece required a month to craft. “It is an appliqué work with 18 sutras,” explained Mr. Holla.

The festival will continue on Sunday, with kite flying scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and extend into the evening, promising another day of vibrant displays and international camaraderie.