Hyderabad: The crackling Bhogi mantalu before dawn on Monday officially marked the Sankranti festivities, though the festive mood set in on Friday with the closure of schools and officials. At homes, Sakinalu was prepared and outside kids, youths, grown people and the elderly became as one as they flew kites.
S. Mani of Sainikpuri was busy the whole week rummaging the storeroom for things that had outlived their life. "Bhogi a day before Sankranti is a must for our family," she said. Her kids are grown up. "But they still follow the tradition of applling oil and sitting in front of the Bhogi fire."
The gated community resident has a few neighbours joining the bonhomie as the Bhogi event coincides with the morning walk.
With the twin cities turning into a concrete jungle over years, life bustles atop terraces during Sankranti. "It's bit dangerous," says C. Srinivas of Market Street, Secunderabad. "But what to do? Parade Ground is jampacked, and so is Necklace Road. There are very few grounds where public is allowed. So our terrace is our way out."
“It’s not just about flying kites; it’s about connecting with friends and family,” said Phanindra, a resident of Ameerpet. “The excitement of a successful ‘pench’ makes the day unforgettable!”
For whistling record holder J.V. Sridhar of Ashoknagar, Sankranti is the most awaited festival. "We basically bond over kite flying. Kites bring ouy the youth in you," he says.
He longs to savour he sweets made especially on Sankranti "Nuvvu Laddu is my favourite," he says. Another of his favourite snack while flying kites are the crunchy Sakkinalu made of rice flour.
Another enthusiast, Umesh Chandra, added, “This is the one time of year when everyone leaves their gadgets behind to bond over something as simple and joyful as a kite.”
For Vamshi Krishna of Lalapet, it's the terrace for the two days of Bhogi and Sankranti. "We hit the terrace immediately after puja which is before 9 am on Sankranti. Right from breakfast to dinner it is terrace," he says gleefully.
"Kite fights is was I like the most. We have friendly bets between each terraces over cutting of other's kites. Bets range from movie tickets to buying beverages," he explains.
At night, as the Thai lanterns float across the sky, don’t assume there are new stars in the sky. They could well be the famous ‘light patang’ flown by the ‘kitexperts’
And if it is kites in the skies, it is music from the boom boxes and gleeful shouts of “gayeee…. afaa” that mark the day even after the sun goes down. For those whose kites get cut, there is always another kite to fly. May that, somehow, contains the message of Sankranti.
