An enthusiast flies a kite with a big spool and (below) kite-makers at work at a shop in Patna City on Monday. Pictures by Sachin

Patna, Jan. 10: With just four days left for Makar Sankranti, the sale of kites is soaring considerably.

Shops in the city have started selling kites two weeks in advance. The shops are displaying kites of every shade, hue and pattern.

The demand for fancy kites is higher this year as people are purposely avoiding normal paper kites and are opting for plastic ones.

Rajiv Ranjan, a kite seller at Hajiganj, who supply kites to most of the districts in Bihar said: “Kite flying in Patna rose in the past few years. Despite major distractions like television and video games, children and teenagers still enjoy flying kites. Kites can never lose its charm to modern-day gadgets because it is a thrill to see glass threads of kites deftly cut through one another sending one to the earth.”

He added: “Various kinds of kites are available these days. Fancy kites are in high demand as sale of paper ones has plummeted. Prices of kites range between Rs 2 and Rs 500. Those that are costly are especially made on demand. We don’t keep heavy kites and its prepared only if any customer demands for it. We prepare according to their choice.”

A customer, who has bought 100 fancy kites so far this year, said: “Kites of various colours, shapes and sizes adorn the sky and give us reasons to cheer the arrival of spring with the advent of Makarsankranti. Paper kites are not attractive or durable.”

Like every year, this year too, the spirit of the people has not dampened and they are more than eager to shop for kites.

Praveen Kumar, who has been selling kites for the past 50 years for 365 days a year in Kadamkuan, said: “There will be more business in the days prior to Makar Sankranti and on that day itself. This year too business so far has been very good and we expect more sale in the first and second weeks of January. More kites are in demand this year.”

When asked the reason behind kite flyers opting for fancy and plastic ones, Kumar said: “Paper kites are for veterans. We make kites using light-weight paper. Kites made of Australian paper are high in demand and are costlier. Plastic kites have carved a niche for themselves, as they last longer and do not tear easily. Moreover, the paper needed for paper kites has to be specially ordered, whereas for plastic kites the material is easily available.”

Mangesh Yadav, a resident of Nala Road, said: “Plastic kites are more colourful than paper ones. When it soars to the sky it looks beautiful. Whereas paper kites do not look the same and they can’t take the pressure of the wind. Moreover, they are not attractive.”

Charkhi, latai and manja (cotton thread) are also in high demand while the charkha is available for anything between Rs 25 for a small size and Rs 200 for a larger one, the manja is available from Rs 10 onwards.

According to a shop owner, the manja that is used for kite flying is graded by kite flyers. The harder it is, the better grade it is awarded.

Kite flying competitions are also organised every year at Gandhi Maidan and in almost every lane.