The state of Gujarat is known for its splendorous celebration of Uttarayan, also known as Makar Sankranti. However, not just the people of Gujarat but people from across the nation come together on this day and fly kites.
Ahmedabad has been hosting the International Kite Festival to celebrate Makar Sankranti since 1989. Extraordinary kite makers and flyers from various parts of the world gather there to present their out-of-the-box creations and startle the crowds with their unique kites. The popularity of this festival is humongous in Ahmedabad. Thus, it would not come as a shocker if you discover that an entire museum dedicated to kites exists in Ahmedabad. The Paldi Kite Museum, situated at a Sanskar Kendra in the Paldi area of Ahmedabad, consists of an extraordinaire exhibition of kites, illustrations and paintings.
This famous museum holds some of the rarest kites in the world. This museum is the first of its kind in India and the second in the world, after Japan.
The construction of this museum is the outcome of the rigorous efforts of one Bhanubhai Shah. Bhanubhai Shah contributed his collection of over 125 rare kites to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in 1984. This museum has a collection of well-crafted kites with mirror-work and block prints. The museum even consists of kites with Japanese artistry.
The museum, established on this day in 1984, consists of some of the rare collections of kites, which Mr Shah had collected for over fifty years. The Paldi Kite Museum accommodates big-sized kites that measure around 22 by 16 feet, along with the kites that portray Garba dance sequences. A noteworthy exhibit which features the Garba dance is a 16 feet long kite. The museum also holds a few exiguous paintings of Radha-Krishna.
The kites made of materials like polythene, nylon, cotton, and paper are present at the museum. Surprisingly one can also find Rokoku – the hexagon-shaped Japanese kites displayed in this museum. Thus, the museum is a significant destination for kite and kite history fanatics.
To celebrate Bhanubhai Shah’s unique creation, KarmaPlay is hosting a Museums Quiz. So, grab your favourite kite and may the wind of knowledge be with you!