Kite making and kite flying are hugely fragmented micro industries with immense potential
A survey conducted in 2007 by Gujarat Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organization (GITCO) , gave an interesting insight into the micro and fragmented business of kite making in Gujarat. The report estimated that Gujarat has a Rs
100 crore kite industry that runs mostly as co-operatives. Other areas in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lukhnow, Bareily, Jaipur, and Jodhpur are also major hubs of kite making. Given the low levels of skills required and the virtual lack of automation plus the seasonality of the trade, the business is hugely fragmented with low profit margins. However potential does exist in the form of kite festivals, competitions, new material, designs and so on.| International Kite Festivals |
| Weifand International Kite Festival, China |
| Bristol International Kite Festival, UK |
| Borneo International Kite Festival, Malaysia |
| International Kite Festival, France Cape Town International Festival, South Africa |
| Washington State International Kite Festival, US |
In Ahmedabad alone, the kite making industry is estimated to a Rs. 40 crore business, which involves around 30,000 artisans and around 20,000 seasonal workers. 70% of the work force involved are women. The production of kites goes around for 10 months a year starting from March to January and artisans in Khambhat, Gujarat, alone produce around 1.5 crore kites in one year. Meanwhile in Jaipur, the kite industry touches the 65 crore mark. Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) is popular for its bamboo kites and cutting-edge threads (known as reel or line). It is estimated that there are around 30,000 artisans in Bareilly just producing the thread for kite flying. While the usage is extremely seasonal, the production is almost round the year.
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| Kites depicting the Indian tri-colour are not approved since after getting torn or damaged they are left lying on the ground.
Ajay Prakash |
Process and materials
Indian kites are predominantly fighter kites of the diamond shape and traditionally are heavily dependent on paper and bamboo. Fighter kites are kites that are made not to stay up for ages or pull weights, but to cut down other kites or rather the threads of other kites. So, the emphasis is on a light, easily maneuverable kite on a thread specially coated with abrasive material, traditionally grounded glass.
| Types of Kites |
| Single-line Kites |
| Dual-line Kites |
| Fighter Kites |
| Multi line Kites |
| Stunt Kites |
| Sport Kites |
| Kite Trains |
Thematic and occasion-specific kites are also made from cloth. These could be having varied sizes, shapes and messages. This is one area which has a huge potential for international market but has not been concentrated upon too much because of the focus on fighter kites. Show flying is only slowly catching up in the country. Art kites, show kites and power kites (where multiple lines of kites are flown to generate power large enough to pull along other objects including passengers) are virtually unheard of in the country.
Bamboo spars are indispensable for this industry. In fact, the major process and cost of kite making come from making bamboo spars. Then comes paper. Today a variety of material mostly reused plastic sheets are taking over the role of paper. Now, up to 60% of the kites made are plastic kites, replacing the traditional paper kites. Plastic kites are easy to manufacture and are cheap.
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| The major hurdle for this industry would be availability of artisans at various places.
- Balbir Gupta |
Kite festivals has given major boost to this industry throughout India.
- Babu Khan |
To wind the threads and keep them safe and usable, spools - often made of wood - are used. Plastic and metal spools are also in the market but wooden spools still have major market share.
The tourism angle
The Indian kite industry received a shot in the arm from the tourism activities promoted by various NGOs and state governments. The International Kite Festival is one such event that attract a large number of foreigners demonstrating their kite flying skills. Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur and Ajay Prakash, founder of Nomad Travels, organized the first International Kite Festival in 1997. A similar festival is also held in Ahmedabad on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. These are also an opportunity for local artisans and manufacturers to showcase their products and skills. At these kite festivals, participants from many countries come to showcase their products and skills. Kite makers from Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the US, come and participate in these festivals.
The state governments of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa are looking to boost this activity to increase tourism and also to provide support to kite manufacturers in those areas.
| Kite Patents |
| The diamond-shaped kite was designed by a US accountant and journalist, William Abner Eddy. After many experiments Eddy filed for a patent for his design of kites on August 1, 1898 and on March 27, 1900, he was granted Patent No. 646375 by US Patent Office. The Eddy diamond remains the most recognizable kite shape in the world.
Interestingly, barely 5 weeks after Eddy was granted his patent, on 1 May 1990, William Totten Woglom was granted a patent for his parakite. Both designs are similar. Maxwell Eden in his book, 'The Magnificient Book of Kites' guesses that both designs drew inspiration from the two-stick bow Malay or Javanse kite that was flown for centuries |
The international scene
In the US and Canada, kite industry is estimated to be around $150 million. Countries like China, Korea, Philippines, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, US, Canada, France, Germany, UK, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and New Zealand also have sizable markets for kites.
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written by jas, May 14, 2010
written by Gaurav Mittal, May 02, 2010
written by Nagesh L. Naidu, April 21, 2010
As a sailor I have seen very huge silk kites in butterfly/
insect shapes in China. Old Marconi, ships' lifeboat radios
used to be provided with a cloth box kite, enable the lifeboat
survivors to send a radio message through a thin copper wire
antenna held aloft in high winds by the box kite.
Kites are never flown from ships as that would mean a distress
situation. I would like to see our great big companies come forward
and encourage better quality of kite making and flying festivals.
written by Swastik Gupta, April 16, 2010
ph. 919903792481
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Thanks a lot.