PM Modi vs Trump in the Sky! Jaipur Kite Festival Brings Leaders to the Strings

Jaipur: The city of Jaipur comes alive every Makar Sankranti with the vibrant tradition of kite flying, a spectacle renowned worldwide. This year, Jaipur’s bustling markets are adorned with kites featuring images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and even Operation Sindoor, capturing both history and popular imagination.

A Tradition Dating Back to 1835
According to historian Sunil Sharma, kite flying in Jaipur began in 1835 under the patronage of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh, who brought skilled artisans from Lucknow to the city. Originally, kite flying was an exclusive activity of the royal family. Kites were often large, human-sized, and royal cavalry would even retrieve cut kites to add to the palace collection.

Jaipur’s “Kite-Makers’ Colony”
As Jaipur expanded, a special neighborhood was designated for kite artisans, known as the “Patang Walon ka Mohalla.” Families here have been making kites for three generations. During Makar Sankranti, the colony becomes a hub of commerce, with daily kite sales running into millions of rupees. The colony draws thousands of buyers, including traders who supply kites nationwide.

Three Decades of Growing Craze
Over the past 30 years, kite flying in Jaipur has grown into a mass phenomenon. Every Makar Sankranti, lakhs of people take to the skies. The city hosts an annual kite festival at Jal Mahal, attended by top political figures including the Chief Minister and other ministers. This year, CM Bhajanlal Sharma and Deputy CM Diya Kumari, along with several ministers and legislators, will participate in the festivities.

From Film Stars to Political Icons
Previously, kites featuring film stars dominated the market. Over the last decade, however, kites depicting political leaders have gained popularity. Veteran kite-maker Ghafoor Ansari, who has been in the trade for over 40 years, notes, “Earlier, film stars’ images were preferred, but now kites featuring leaders’ portraits are in higher demand.”

Leaders and Icons on Kites This Year
This year, Jaipur’s kites showcase a wide array of figures: PM Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, New York Mayor Johar Mamdani, and Indian political leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Rahul Gandhi, CM Bhajanlal Sharma, Deputy CM Diya Kumari, Dr. Premchand Bairwa, former CM Ashok Gehlot, Vasundhara Raje, among others. Following Operation Sindoor, kites featuring Lieutenant Colonel Sophia Quraishi of the Indian Army have also become a highlight.

The Jaipur kite festival continues to combine centuries-old tradition with contemporary culture, drawing attention from citizens and visitors alike, and bringing politics, history, and artistry together in the sky.