Collections
![[Makar Sankranti kites for 2025] / Priya Pereira](https://collections.centerforbookarts.org/media/cba/images/1/7/2/62595_ca_object_representations_media_17217_large.jpg)
[Makar Sankranti kites for 2025] / Priya Pereira
Prints
FA.SB1.5024
14 x 14 cm and 14 x 12 cm
2024
Two handmade small tissue-paper kites, with wooden frame and metallic streamers. Included with Pixie Bks New Year Card for 2025.
"January 14 is a day devoted to the sun God. A day that marks the end of winter and the start of a warm new sun, which enters Makara Rashi, the Zodiac of Capricorn. This auspicious day happens to be Makar Sankranti and is a widely celebrated festival in India.
But what it means to a young kid in Mumbai, is none of the above. It's a day one devotes ardently towards hand picking the right handmade paper kite - Dhoma (strong, heavy kite), Chaand Tara (crescent moon and star), Pankha (fan-shaped), a square-shaped, a diamond-tailed or the hundred other shapes, designs and colours on offer. Tying the knot or 'Kanni' on the kite is key, to give it a steady or speedy or that spiral spin aka the Maverick move in Top Gun. Sharpening the thread or 'Manja' so that the days purpose is met - cut your friendly-neighbour-turned-arch-rivals kite and belt out the war cry Kai Pho Che (which in Gujarati, means I've cut it...) There's equal thrill in flying as there is in catching a listless kite that has been cut and wandering like a lost wayfarer in oblivion. Waiting to be pounced upon by the wide-eyed mob that follow its unchartered trail." -- Artist's description in accompanying card
"January 14 is a day devoted to the sun God. A day that marks the end of winter and the start of a warm new sun, which enters Makara Rashi, the Zodiac of Capricorn. This auspicious day happens to be Makar Sankranti and is a widely celebrated festival in India.
But what it means to a young kid in Mumbai, is none of the above. It's a day one devotes ardently towards hand picking the right handmade paper kite - Dhoma (strong, heavy kite), Chaand Tara (crescent moon and star), Pankha (fan-shaped), a square-shaped, a diamond-tailed or the hundred other shapes, designs and colours on offer. Tying the knot or 'Kanni' on the kite is key, to give it a steady or speedy or that spiral spin aka the Maverick move in Top Gun. Sharpening the thread or 'Manja' so that the days purpose is met - cut your friendly-neighbour-turned-arch-rivals kite and belt out the war cry Kai Pho Che (which in Gujarati, means I've cut it...) There's equal thrill in flying as there is in catching a listless kite that has been cut and wandering like a lost wayfarer in oblivion. Waiting to be pounced upon by the wide-eyed mob that follow its unchartered trail." -- Artist's description in accompanying card