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English Chronicles 2025 26printed 67 · PDF 77
113 pagesrevision 50822
printed 67 · PDF 77
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The Last Kite in the Sky
Once, Lahore’s skyline would erupt into a symphony of color every
spring as the Basant festival brought life to the city. Rooftops
transformed into arenas of celebration, where families and friends
gathered to engage in the electrifying contest of kite flying. The air
rang with shouts of “Bo kata!” as kites clashed in a lively battle of skill
and strategy, the ultimate prize being the lone kite reigning supreme
against the painted sky. Basant wasn’t just a festival; it was a tradition
that united the city, an emblem of joy, togetherness, and Lahore’s
vibrant spirit.
But today, that kaleidoscope of kites and the bustling rooftops are mere
memories. Over the years, the festival has faded into a shadow of its
former self. The same strings that once fueled friendly competition,
coated with abrasive materials to cut rival kites, led to tragic accidents.
Glass-coated manja injured countless people and animals, sparking
widespread concern. The government’s subsequent ban on kite flying
silenced the once-thriving festival, draining the life from Lahore’s
springtime skies.
Now, when a kite rises above the city, it does so alone, without the
echoes of jubilant voices or the thrill of competition. That solitary kite,
floating high and untethered, is no longer a victor in an aerial contest
but a nostalgic reminder of a lost tradition. The vibrant cheers have
been replaced by silence, and the kite, once a symbol of unity and
celebration, has become an emblem of longing for a culture that has
slipped away.
AC Chronicles
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