The ONGC MRPL International Kite Festival is set to take place on January 18 and 19 at Tannirbhavi Beach, with the city preparing for a grand display of kite flying. Organized by Team Mangalore, a hobby group of kite enthusiasts, in collaboration with the district administration, the festival will feature at least 10 international teams and five national teams, showcasing their impressive kite-flying skills.
To commemorate the event, a vibrant poster designed by artist Dinesh Holla, a member of Team Mangalore, has been unveiled on social media. The artwork, originally created by Holla for an art exhibition in France in 2014, was purchased by a foreign buyer during the exhibition. It has now been repurposed as the official poster for the Mangaluru Kite Festival. Holla explained that the piece depicts a woman in traditional Indian attire, with a kite symbolizing life’s journey. The kite’s flight reflects life’s ups and downs, and the artwork conveys the message of perseverance and focus on one’s goals to achieve success.
Holla elaborated that, like a kite soaring against the wind, individuals must rise through hard work and determination, whether they are facing challenges in business or studies. This powerful metaphor aims to inspire the festival’s audience.
The festival is expected to feature captivating aerial displays by world-renowned stunt kite flyers, along with revolution kite and dragon kite flying. Team Mangalore, founded in 1998 by B Sarvesh Rao, has earned invitations to participate in multiple kite festivals globally, with the Mangaluru event marking another milestone in its illustrious journey.
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