This is Love A Sky of Kites
Oct 8, 2025
Nadim Shehzad, a wildlife rescuer and co-founder of a bird hospital in Delhi, shares his journey treating injured black kites. He discusses the cultural significance of kite-flying in India and the challenges of using harmful materials like manja. Nadim recounts emotional stories of rescuing birds, the gap in veterinary care for carnivorous species, and how he learned to perform delicate surgeries. His work, highlighted in the documentary All That Breathes, resonates with the balance between celebration and wildlife safety.
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Childhood Kite Festivals
- John V. Trevedy remembers flying kites as a child during Makar Sankranti when the sky filled with thousands of kites.
- The festival included music, lights, and communal rooftop celebrations that lasted into the night.
Kites As Cultural Tools
- Kite flying in India blends art, sport, and cultural rituals dating back centuries.
- Kites have served practical roles like carrying messages and predicting weather as well as celebratory ones.
The Purpose Of Manja
- Manja is a glass-coated string designed to sever other kites in aerial contests.
- Its deliberate sharpness turns kite flying into an undeclared, high-stakes competition.