Kite flying gets back life

Flamboyant kites of different shapes and colours are seen flying in the sky especially in rural areas as children have enough time for the traditional pastime during the closure of schools amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

"I used to fly kite as recreation during my childhood days but as pressure of study mounted, I left it a couple of years ago," said Asif Ahmed, a ninth grader of Char Gobindapur village in Mymensingh Sadar upazila.

"Now we have got the opportunity to fly kites again as there is enough leisure time due to closure of the educational institutions during coronavirus pandemic," said the boy.

Familiar local names of kites include tilenga, chilghuri, saapghuri, dulghuri, and changaghuri, duarghuri, etc.

Of them, large sized kites like dulghuri, changaghuri and duarghuri are flown especially at night with small electric lights, which adds to amusement for the rural people, said Parvez Mia, a boy of the same village.

"We get small colour lights connected with mobile battery and set these with the large kites," he said.

Rejwan Islam, an honours first year student at Government Ananda Mohan College, said he almost forgot kite flying as he gradually moved to higher classes that required spending more time for study.

Rejwan, hailing from Melandah upazila of Jamalpur, said he can make kites of at least five shapes.

This correspondent found some youths making kites in Mymensingh city's Mrityunjoy School Road area.

One of them, Amol Basak said, "We had passion for kite flying in childhood. Now we are making kites for merriment with local children as a way to spend free time during the coronavirus pandemic. We also make kites for sale as many people come to the area to buy it for their children."

​Many youths and adults are also seen flying kites as the shopping centres are closed down at 4:00pm and there is leisure in the afternoon, said Alok Pal Chowdhury, a cosmetic trader in the city.

"As the classes at educational institutions are off, the students have enough time to enjoy in nature. The scene of children's movement with kites in the open field of the village reminds us of our childhood days," said advocate Johirul Huq, now staying at his village home in Mymensingh Sadar upazila.

Excessive pressure of study often keeps the children away from many traditional recreations like kite flying but they are doing it now in a relaxed mood, he said.

"Due to the spread of coronavirus, many families have returned to their village home and the children are enjoying kite flying. Such decent entertainment is part of our traditional culture," said Shahadat Hossain Khan Hilu, secretary of Bahurupi Natya Sangstha.