Basant

The ancient art of kite flying has been very popular in Pakistan, especially in the Punjab Province where the Kites are usually constructed from Tissue Paper and spliced Bamboo sticks.

Kite flying is both an art and a highly competitive pass-time in Pakistan. In around mid-Feburary, there is a kite flying festival known as basant. People fly paper kites with a powdered glass coated cotten string (called Dore), the aim is to go into a "paitcha" (where two kites' strings cross) then using a special flying technique, cut the string of the other kite.

At basant the sky is full of kites, the festival starts at night (people fly the kites from their illumiated flat topped roofs), it carries on through-out the night and finishes at the end of the following day. Kite flying is most popular in Lahore (Punjab) is also popular througout Pakistan.

There is some controversy surrounding the celebration of basant. Some object to its celebration in a Muslim country because they believe it's roots are in hindu tradition. In Some cities these vocal groups have managed to get basant celebrations banned, but Lahorites will not give up their favorite spring festival for anyone. It is impossible to get a hotel room in Lahore during that time as people come from all around the country and even from other countries.

I was fortunate to come upon professionals preparing the dore (powdered-glass covered string). In my childhood I have made the door myself, but my process was a lot simpler than what they do nowadays. The dore is so sharp that you have to wear bandages or tape on your fingers when you fly the kites so as not to cut yourself.

Powdered glass used in making the dore	Other ingredients include colors and glue	First a paste is made that strengthens the string	Preparing the "masala"	It almost looks like dough, which is then rubbed onto the string
Rubbing the masala onto the string		Wrapping up the prepared dore onto "charkhis"	Kites are everywhere

		The night before basant people fly kites at night	One guy holds the "charkhi" with the dore while another engages in a "paitcha"	People party on the flat rooftops while fireworks are sent off all around
	With Shahid on "old" food street at 2:30 AM!!	Houses lining the Food Street		People flying kites from rooftops along food street
A closer look at festivities going on on rooftops at food street	Basant Day is finally here. On my brother's rooftop	Razia dressed in "basant yellow", the color of musturd flowers	Runa, Razia and Rafiq on Razia's brother's rooftop	Kites at our disposal to fly
			Finally, the "expert" will show them how it's done. :)