ONGC-MRPL International Kite Festival 2024

The ONGC-MRPL International Kite Festival is being organized by Team Mangalore, a hobby group of kite makers and flyers. The event would be held on 10 and 11 Feb at the Tannirbhavi Beach, near Mangalore.

Kite Flying starts at 2.30 pm on the 10 and 11. There is no entry fee, no formalties no speeches just the fun of flying.

The Dignitaries will launch the Festival kite at 5 pm on 10 Feb 2024 followed by the launch of speciality kites by Patrons and Sponsors Flying on the first day ends at 8 pm.

Night Flying of Kites will commence from 6:30 pm on 10 Feb and will continue till 8 pm.

The two-day post-noon festival concludes with a valedictory function and an informal function at 7 pm on the 11 Feb, with a brief stage function to felicitate participating kite flyers.

Sponsors:

The event is mainly sponsored jointly by ONGC and MRPL a socially responding business. Other entities like Medec Medicare Limited, Mumbai, and New Mangalore Port Authority, have supported us substantially.

Participants:

13 Foreign Flyers from 8 countries (of which 10 are first-time visitors) and around 20 Indian flyers from 4 states viz., Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Kerala are participating in this festival. Team Mangalore, the organizers would fly their speciality kites like Kathakkali, Yaksha, Gajendra, Bhoota Kola, Garuda, Pushpaka Vimana and Vibhishana.

Arrangements:

Traffic Movement and Parking : Considering the large number of visitors, Elaborate arrangements are being made in association with the D.K. District Police, Panambur Police Station, NMPA and District Administration for smooth flow of vehicular traffic and parking. They have assured their support for this mega event.

The parking arrangement has been made for approximately 2000 cars/LMVs and over 6000 two-wheelers. Earmarked Parking Zones are made and visitors are requested to patiently abide by the guidance given by Police or Volunteers.

Entry of heavy vehicles will be restricted by the Traffic Police.

The parking arrangement is made at Sulthan Battery at Mata Amritanandamayi School grounds. The commuters to the festival venue by ferry are requested to park vehicles on the school grounds.

Approach to Venue: The venue can be approached by Road through NH 66 via Kulur and by Ferry across Sulthan Battery.
No Manja Kites please: (MANJA KITES ARE STRICTLY BANNED)

Manja is a specially treated thread used for Kite flying in Kite cutting competitions in Gujarat and other northern states. Glass powder and glue are applied for the manja thread. This thread cuts through the skin and is dangerous to eyes, face, neck and fingers, especially for children. It causes damage and cuts the kites of participating guest flyers, thus bringing a bad name for Mangalore in the International Flying Circles.

It is hereby made clear that in the interest of the safety of participants and the public, possession, sale or use of manja thread is not allowed on Tannir Bavi Beach during the kite festival.
POLICE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON PERSONS FLYING MANJA KITES.

Lost /Found Shelter : A separate Shelter is arranged for children who are lost/found on the beach. Parents are requested to show this shelter to accompanying children and ask them to reach this shelter in case they miss them. Anyone who finds a missing child may guide the child to this shelter. Names of found children will be announced on the Public Address system.

Earmarked Swimming Area: Playing in the waves is fun. Why should Children be deprived of it? Local natives will provide lifeguard services within the earmarked swimming area. Children should be accompanied by elders at all times.

Stalls: Food Festival Several stalls vending fruits, mineral water, ice cream, soft drinks and food including seafood are available on the beach under the Food Festival taking place on the beach.
Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) provides drinking water facilities too. Enough waste bins would be laid. We earnestly appeal to all visitors to use the waste bins and avoid any litter so that we can keep our beaches clean.

As a special case and this being a mega-event, the Hon’ble DC has kindly permitted the Food Festival till Midnight on both days.

Toilets: Pay and use toilet facility is available on the beach.
Kite Shops: Kites of various sizes, shapes and colours will be available for sale at the Kites Shops. However, manja kites are not allowed.

Medical Aid: District Health Officers would provide emergency medical aid and ambulance services at the festival venue.

Fire Services:Karnataka Fire Services Department would place a Fire Tender to take care of any unforeseen Fire emergency at the festival venue.

Bus Shuttle Services: M/s. PTC Bus Services will provide a shuttle service from Kudremukh Junction to GMR Plant on a rotation basis. This service will be on a chargeable basis by the operator. The buses will ply from 1 pm till the end of the festival on both days.

Pre Event Press Meet on 4 Feb, 2024:

The International Kite Festival

The International Kite Festival, on 10 and 11 February 2024, is a unique event that celebrates kite flying and cultural unity. The festival, organized by Team Mangalore in collaboration with the District Administration Mangalore and ONGC-MRPL, offers a platform for mass participation without entry fees or lengthy speeches.

The event features 13 skilled flyers from Thailand, Ukraine, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Estonia, Greece, and Sweden, and teams from 22 Indian states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, and Hyderabad, join forces with Team Mangalore. The festival serves as a conduit for creative expression, featuring stage shows and photography opportunities reflecting the rich cultural traditions of the local populace. The festival aims to unite under the belief of ‘One Sky, One Earth, One Family’ and promises a celebration of freedom, spontaneity, and festivity.

Team Mangalore Trust, founded in 1998, is a group of twelve skilled kite flyers from India. They grace the International Kite Festival annually and have won several awards, including the “Best Team Display” in Portsmouth, UK, and the “Best International Kite” Award in Cleethorpes, UK. Their kite, Kathakali, holds the title of the biggest kite in India. The team has the first kite-related website in India, www.indiankites.com. They have won the Karnataka state championship in kite flying. They have participated in international festivals in the UK, Canada, France, Italy, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Qatar, and India.

About Team Mangalore Trust:

Team Mangalore, founded in 1998, is a hobby group of twelve kite flyers from India, aiming to spread culture through kites. Their kites are designed by Dinesh Holla, an artist and kite flyer. The team holds free workshops in schools and camps to popularize the creative sport. Their giant kite Kathakali holds the largest kite in India award and Team Mangalore has the first website on kites in India, www.indiankites.com. They have won awards for their kites, including the “Best Team Display” in Portsmouth, UK, and the Karnataka state championship in kite flying.

Team Mangalore, an Indian kite-making team, has participated in international festivals in India, the UK, Canada, and France. They have made impressive kites in various countries, including Qatar in 2024. The team uses advanced materials like Rip-Stop Nylon Fabric, Carbon fibre tubes, and Kevlar lines, and has substituted carbon fibre tubes with indigenous bamboo. Kite making is a growing industry in Gujarat and Rajasthan, offering a potential home industry. The team encourages individuals of all ages to embrace this artistic endeavour and unite in collective efforts to craft and soar kites.