City laughter group celebrated Makar Sankranti with kites and fun

It was a cheerful morning on the sands of Chowpatty Beach as Mumbai’s laughter group celebrated Makar Sankranti. As is true to their mantra, they rang in the festival with much cheer, flying kites and of course, loud laughter! Says Kishore H Kuvavala, who organised the event, “We were about 80 participants who came to Chowpatty by 7 am. It was not about just kite flying, but we also distributed traditional til guland chikki.It gave everyone a chance to enjoy the festivity. It was also not about whether people knew kite flying or not, but the participation that brought about joy.”

Indulging in some 'kite-flying' laughter
After a round of introductions, the group indulged in special themed laughter. “We did a series of kite flying laughter holding the firki as well as chikki laughter, where people held the sweet in their hands, passed it to the neighbour on the right and left of them, and laughed. The gesture of giving than receiving is what mattered. Kites are for anyone and the group was mixed, so it also brought about a sense of harmony,” adds Kuvavala.
For Mumbaikars, it was a chance to ring in the festival with a community feeling. Says homemaker Archana Vaidhya, “It was so much fun to celebrate that early in the morning. I had prepared the til gul at home and handed it to the group. The event was open to all and it felt like a family as we all bonded together. Flying kites also made for some good exercise." Adds businessman Ashok Bobbal, "We engage in laughter everyday, but this was different. I think everyone should come out and celebrate a festival among others, this way."