Market draws artisans from across India

VADODARA: The kite market provides business not only to people from the city, but has attracted even artisans from across the country.
Mustafa Khan, a kite maker from Jaipur, comes to the city three months before Uttarayan along with his family. Manhar Chhatriwala, whose family has been making kites for seven generations, had moved to the city in 1953 for business.
Khan said, "I come to the city along with 30 relatives to do business every year. We rent a house from where we work and sell our goods."
Khan's family only sells simple kites that are not elaborately decorated. These kites are commonly called the Indian fighter kites. "People want to enjoy flying kites and not necessarily good-looking kites," he puts forward his argument.
Chhatriwala moved to the city from Surat. He says that he has seen great change in the celebrations of Uttarayan and the type of kites used.
"Now it is more about fun and partying on terraces and kite flying is only a part of it. The demand for 'gubbaras' or hot air balloons and polythene kites is on the rise. Earlier, only paper kites were used and only a select few bought the balloons," said Chhatriwala, who is also president of the Vadodara Patang Merchant Association.
While the kite flying season may be a temporary affair, the industry thrives throughout the year away from the eyes of even the enthusiasts. Noormohammed Bandwala from Wadi, who has been in the business for 35 years, said, "We make around 4,000 kites a day throughout the year."