Faces of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister will dot the city’s skyline this Sankranti, besides those of Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra, among others.
Kite makers, this year, are trying to cash in on the popularity of Narendra Modi and K. Chandrasekhar Rao. The prices of kites range from Rs 1 to Rs 100.
While some kites are brought from Ahmedabad and Kanpur, others are being manufactured locally.
Also, keeping in mind the rush for publicity during the upcoming GHMC polls,
Hari Shanker, a kite maker from Secunderabad, says, TRS and BJP leaders love the Modi and KCR kites. “It gives a different kick to fly kites with photos of politicians and celebs,” adds Mahesh, a kite enthusiast who has picked up a dozen kites with pictures of politicians at Rs 10 each. Modi kites from Ahmedabad are being sold at '10. “Acchey Bhai Patangwale” and “Hattrick!” are some of the slogans found on these kites. But the old “Namam daar”, “Jibiya”, “Do Ankhen”, “Langot”, “Guddi Daar” etc., have not given way to Modi, KCR and Salman kites!
There are actually two types of kites — one bordered with a thread and the other without. The thread-bordered kites are called Doredaars — they are more durable. Meanwhile Mahaboob of Mahaboob Patang House, Kali Kaman, Gulzar House is sad that the kite craze is not what it was during the days of his youth.
“The skyline was once dotted with kites a month before Sankranti. Not anymore. The government has reduced holidays so children can’t enjoy much. It has also hit business. There should be at least 15 days of holiday for Sankranti. Secondly, children and youth are now addicted to mobiles and tabs.” he says.
Mahaboob adds that a rise in cost of paper has also affected the market. “Paper has become costly and many can’t afford to buy costly kites. Cheaper ones are not that durable, but they sell.”
Asked what could be the turnover of the kite business in Hyderabad, Mahaboob adds that since it is a seasonal business, and a cottage industry, no one keeps track of the business turnover. And let’s not forget the Chinese manja which is trying to dominate the market.
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