Kites adorn skies at Panambur beach

It was a fun filled holiday for the people, who thronged to Panambur beach on Saturday, as the sky was adorned with hundreds of colourful kites. While kite flyers from various parts of the nation and abroad were seen busy flying various types of kites including delta, turbine and giants, the sky filled with colourful kites offered visual treat for visitors.

Hundreds thronged to the Panambur beach to enjoy the breathtaking moments of two-day International Kite Festival, which is being organised by the Team Mangalore with the theme ‘one sky, one earth, one family’. A total of 13 flyers from five foreign countries including France, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and UK as well as enthusiasts from India flew their specially designed kites from the sands.

Giant kites

The main attraction of extravaganza was giant sized kites of Awita Team of France. Team leader Nicholas, who has nearly 12 years of experience in the field, flew giant kites like penguin, teddy bear, cuttle fish and 24 delta kites. Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said “it was really a beautiful experience that the wind is much favourable for kite flying in this beach.”

Kite with aerial camera

A kite with aerial camera brought by French kite flyer Nicol Chorier was another highlight of the day. Chorier, who has nearly 13 years experience as a kite flyer, flew his kite fitted with a high resolution digital camera and clicked the exciting moments of the festival from the sky.  Chorier explained that the camera fitted close to the kite has a remote sensor and the photos are being clicked from the ground using remote control device. Chorier, who is an eminent aerial photographer, also is the author of the book ‘Kite’s Eye View’.

Marten Van Hienen, another kite flyer from Netherlands, said that he has been participating in the festival in Mangalore for the past three years. Hienen, who is an industrialist, spends six months every year to fly kites at various places across the world.
Team Mangalore, the host of the event flew the specially designed ‘Bhoota Kola’ kite designed by artist Dinesh Holla and Harish Kodialbail on the inaugural day. The team will also fly other special kites including Kathakali, Yaksha and Gajaraja.  New Mangalore Port Trust Chairman Tamilvanan inaugurated the festival by flying a kite. Kites of various sizes, shapes and colours were made available at the kite shop opened at the beach. The festival will conclude on Sunday.