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Artisans flock to Rajasthan ahead of Makar Sankranti

     Jaipur: String-makers from Uttar Pradesh are flocking the desert of Rajasthan on the eve of Makar Sankranti, which is marked by kite flying. On January 14, the skies will be dotted with innumerable colourful kites of various shapes and sizes to celebrate 'Makar Sankranti'. String-makers are all set to cash in on the festive season. Hailing from Bareilly, they have set themselves up in the pink city of Jaipur, busy preparing 'manja', a glass coated string used in kite fights, with hopes of doing good business. Chote Bhai, a kite string maker, said: "There are at least 15 to 20 of us who come here to make manja and some also make beautiful varieties of kites. One person gets on an average around rupees 100 to 150 per day from morning to evening." The craftsmen claim that the 'Bareilly string' is of better quality and is preferred by kite-flyers. "There (Bareilly) we get all the material. We get the mixtures, which are heavy in weight at about rupees 25 to 30 per kilogram. The material we get there is of good quality and that is why people prefer the Bareilly string," said Jakir Hussain, another kite string maker. Makar Sankranti, marks the transit of the sun to the northern hemisphere every year on January 14, and is celebrated in many parts of north and west India with kite flying.
-January 12,  2008