Team Mangalore, a group of kite flyers, will showcase its new kites – ‘Tulunadu chariot’ and ‘water is life’ – at the Dieppe International Kite Festival to be held in France from September 13 to 21. The chariot kite will be 18 ft. high and 10 ft. wide.
‘Tulunadu chariot’ is unique to the Tulu-speaking coastal belt. Senior artist and international kite flyer Dinesh Holla, has designed both the kites. He said that the ‘water is life’ kite has been designed in such a way to communicate the message to treat water like God. Hence, in the design, a pot of water is placed inside the “pallakki” (palanquin) used to carry idols in temples. In addition, the design shows the sky and greenery (on the tile part). This kite highlights the importance of both nature and culture and the need to protect them. It communicates that if nature is protected there will be no dearth of water,” Mr. Holla, who took part in the Dieppe festival seven times.
Five-member team of kite flyers from Mangalore will head to France on September 10. Team Mangalore will participate in the Dieppe festival for the ninth time. The team has been participating in the kite festivals of 12 countries.
