Chennai, Aug 15 (PTI) The sky over Chennai’s ECR has transformed into a massive floating ocean with giant octopuses, sharks, and traditional dancing dolls dancing in the wind, turning the pristine Thiruvidanthai Beach near here into a massive open-air gallery.
Over 30 professional kite flyers from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and India were participating in the ongoing 5th Tamil Nadu International Kite Festival.
Over 200 giant, whimsical inflatable kites – ranging from sea monsters to cultural icons – paint the skyline. The salty sea breeze carries the hum of thousands of awestruck spectators, shifting seamlessly from a sunny daytime carnival into a mesmerising evening neon glow show right against the crashing waves of the Bay of Bengal.
The Tamil Nadu International Kite Festival is an absolute visual spectacle for the onlookers. Official estimates say that the event, which commenced on Friday, would attract over 50,000 people by the time the three-day festival concludes on Sunday.
The organisers – Tamil Nadu Tourism Department – project the surge since the festival coincides with the Independence Day holidays over the weekend for this marine-themed event.
The festival began as a local event drawing only 5,000 visitors. Last year’s edition saw over 20,000 visitors.
Tamil Nadu’s Skyters is flying a unique cultural creation like the Poikkal Kuthirai and Thanjavur dancing doll.
Subject to wind conditions, illuminated kites take to the sky after sunset, accompanied by music, DJ concerts and a fireworks display.
An exclusive showcase of a real-size Red Bull F1 racing car model will be displayed to attract the crowd on Sunday. The beachfront area accommodates food stalls, carnival games, handicraft showrooms, kids’ photo corner and local beach food stalls.
The Tourism department, in association with Global Media Box, is organising the festival at the TTDC Ocean View, Mamallapuram.
The festival was inaugurated by Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar, in the presence of Tourism Director V P Jeyaseelan.
Entry has been made free this year in order to make this year’s festival more accessible and encourage greater domestic tourism.
Speaking about the Kite festival, Rajesh Kumar said: “Following the successful completion of four editions, the Tamil Nadu International Kite Festival has emerged as one of Tamil Nadu Tourism’s most popular family-oriented tourism events”.
Year after year, the festival has witnessed remarkable growth in the number of visitors, attracting families, photographers, domestic travellers and international visitors during the Independence Day holiday, he said. PTI JSP JSP ADB
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