Hyderabad: Streets of Cyberabad wore a deserted look and skies too weren’t particularly littered with kites on Sankranti. The highlight of the day was the village-themed crafts bazaar Shilparamam which adorned a celebratory look for Sankranti Sandadi festival.
Amidst the concrete jungle, the rural flavour of Shilparamam attracted many visitors, especially those who couldn’t make it to their hometowns for Sankranti. Families made themselves comfortable in the garden area, lungi-clad youngsters and kids walked cheerfully village garbs or on sugarcane-laden bullock carts.
A decorated bull at Shilparamam. (Photo: DC)
“We couldn’t go home which is in Tirupati. So we decided to spend the day here which compensated a bit with its festive atmosphere”, said lungi-clad Mani Ratnam, also a VFX artist. His friend Habib Sheik added, “This is certainly the place to be if you are in Hyderabad on Sankranti as it offers a lot of things apart from the village ambience.”
An old couple flying a kite with their photos printed on it at the Kite Festival at Parade Ground on Sunday. (Photo:DC)
Shilparamam is certainly giving villages a run for their money in festival celebrations. Apart from the culture and traditions on show, shopping is the natural favourite of the crowd. The food court was all occupied even as children flew kites in the wide open spaces. More people turn up in the evening as there are cultural shows in the amphitheatre, said an official.
A number of foreign nationals too got involved in the festivities, given the proximity of the venue to the IT hub. Meanwhile, Metro trains witnessed more than normal traffic at Miyapur, Kukatpally, KPHB stations with all travellers headed for the Parade Ground. The venue hosted the 3rd International Kite Festival and World Sweet Festival.
A girl child carries a round kite at the Kite Festival at Parade (Photo: DC)
Several people, mostly families with kids in tow, chose the cool and comfortable ride of a Metro to the venue of the 3rd International Kite Festival and World Sweet Festival. The otherwise unruffled Parade Ground Metro station was bustling with commuters and kids playing with balloons.
Ramesh Kumar, a father of two kids, heading towards Parade Grounds from Kukatpally, said, “My kids wanted to see the kite festival, while I wanted to experience a ride on the Metro.” The Metro authorities did their bit to liven up the occasion. Customer service centres were decorated with rangolis and some commuters even given Sankranti gifts.
