The two-day International Kite Festival in Hubballi, which was put off following to the demise of Siddanganga seer Shivakumara Swami, will begin from Thursday, with kite-flyers from 11 countries participating in it.
Addressing presspersons at the festival site near Oxford College on Kusugal here on Wednesday, Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi said that of the total 34 kite-flyers participating in the event, 16 were from 10 different countries, while the remaining were from India. Kshamata Samsthe, founded by Mr. Joshi, has organised the event in association with GAIL India, Oil India, State Bank of India, and Sri Krishna Dairy.
Mr. Joshi said on both the days, professional kite-flyers would be flying kites of different sizes and shapes. And the main attraction of the festival would be the dragon kite which weighed 15 kg and would achieve the pull equivalent 150 kg when in air.
He said after the formal inauguration of the festival by himself and MLC Pradeep Shettar, there would be different competitions, fun games for students, and there would be free distribution of kites to those interested. “In the evening, there will be a music programme by ‘Wave Sound’ and flying of LED kites at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday,” he said. To a query, Mr. Joshi said shuttle services would be provided between Keshwapur Circle and the venue of the festival for the benefit of enthusiasts.
He said on both the days, kite-flyers would be flying their kites from 10.30 a.m. till evening and there would be a dance competition and programmes for college students. Participants and visitors would be provided food during the event, he said.
Coordinator Sandesh Kaddi said his organisation had been conducting kite festival at Goa and Belagavi for the last nine years and this was the second time that the event was being held in Hubballi. In the coming years, sessions would be held on flying different types of kites, he said.