For this event, the first ever International Kite
festival of Karnataka state, thirteen teams from 7
countries and 14 national level teams from 7 states of
India came down to participate with their prized
collection of world-class kites ranging from stretch long
fighter kites, inflatable kites, fun kites and even power
kites and stunt kites. The sky was adorned with artistic
kites of various shapes and sizes. Kites shaped like
birds, animals, honey bees, ships, mythological
characters, aeroplanes, etc were flown by the delegates.
If competition was evident among the participants. it was
the localites who enjoyed the festival by bringing along
their own kites and flying them with great enthusiasm.
With the exact number of participants put at 43, there
were Peter Stauffer, John Gorden from Australia, Tal
Streeter from USA, Karl Longbottom, Phil
Womack and Allan Holden from UK, Otto Vossen, Raymond E De
Graff from Netherlands, Caesar Pussin from Chile, Keko
Picri, Dominic Martin and Emmanuel from France. Indian
Kite experts Ajay Prakash and Rashmi Prakash of Mumbai,
Srinivas of Hyderabad, Ashok Shah of Dahanu, Maharashra,
Asghar Belim and Mohd. Hussain of Jodhpur, Diganth Joshi
and V.B. Dilwadia of Baroda, Gopal, Santhosh, Vinay, Dinesh and
Niranjan of Bangalore exhibited their kite
flying skills.
The festival was graced by the presence of several
dignitaries who relaxed at the Beach and enjoyed the
fun-filled festival.
Sri. Subhir Raha, Chairman and Managing Director of
ONGC, the Premium sponsors of this International Kite Festival took precious
time off from his hectic schedule and honored the occasion
with his gracious presence along with other Directors and
dignitaries of ONGC.
The festival was inaugurated by Dr. A. K. Balyan,
Director, H.R. ONGC, with the music of the
traditional panchavadya in the background. Sri. S.C. Tandon, Associate
President, MRPL, ONGC, Sri. V.K. Thalithaya, former
Senior V.P., MRPL, ONGC graced the event.
Sri. Aravind Srivatsav, Deputy commissioner, D.K.
District, whose administrative help and guidance
ensured smooth running of the festival, honoured the
event by participating in the Festival.
Sri. Vishweshwar Bhat, Managing Editor, Vijaya
Karnataka Newspaper (Media sponsors of the Festival), Sri.
Sudhir P Ghate, chairman, Magnum Intergrafiks (Event
Managers of the Festival) were guest of honour at
the closing ceremony.
Each of the Kite fliers were facilitated in true Indian
style with a Mysore turban and garland and a memento.
A photography festival was organised during the
festival itself which received an enthusiastic response.
An Art exhibition was also held. A Kite stall for Kite
lovers, Food stall and other stalls were set up for the
benefit of the crowd. A tsunami Fund collection box was
also setup at the venue.
The contribution to the success this event cannot but
be given to the huge but disciplined crowd of Mangaloreans
who had come in thousands to the Panambur Beach despite
memories of the Tsunami hitting the eastern shores of
Southern India just a month ago.
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Overcoming the Tsunami scare, over a lakh people gathered
to witness the International Kite Festival 2005 at
Panambur Beach on Sunday, 23rd January 2005. It was a
memorable day for kite lovers watching in awe and delight,
hundreds of colorful and magnificent kites in all shapes
and designs vying for their attention. 