• Latest
Up, Up and Away

Up, Up and Away

January 30, 2023
Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

March 3, 2023
Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

March 3, 2023
DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

March 3, 2023
A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

March 3, 2023
The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

February 7, 2023
Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

February 7, 2023
The Art of Local Writing

The Art of Local Writing

February 7, 2023
Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic

February 7, 2023
Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

January 11, 2023
Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

January 13, 2023
Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

January 11, 2023
Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

January 11, 2023
Retail
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Subscription
Advertise
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • April 2022
        • May 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Up, Up and Away

in Featured, September 2010
0 0
0

Words Madhushala Senaratne Photographs Mahesh Prasantha

As we rounded the corner leading towards the house of the kite maker, we came across an open paddy field. My eyes darted over to the two young boys, battling with the wind to lift their kite up into the air. They failed a few times, yet, succeeded in the end, and as their kite flew up, up and away, I, along with them, craned my neck to map its route…

There is a distinct joy that flying a kite brings. Whether it is simply watching it drift freely in the air miles above you, running with it as it is gently raised over the ground or holding strongly enough to that string, you never seem too young or old to fly a kite.

Yet, ever tried making your own kite? Or, remember the times when you did make those shapes and designs and proudly watched them hover above you?

There was a tinge of excitement as we headed towards Ananda Ratnayake’s home and watched him at work. He reminded us that making a kite is quite a simple activity, however, a little practice is always needed to hone your skills and create the perfect kite. There are a few tips to keep in mind, he says. The frame needs to be sturdy, yet flexible, and the spar and the spine need to be well-balanced. For measuring, a bamboo stick can be used.

The essentials are placed on the floor. Among them are a bundle of coconut eakle (thinly split bamboo sticks can also be used), some thread, a type of homemade paste using flour and water, a pair of scis- sors and tissue papers of different colours. Ananda explains that cotton twine or glue can be used instead of thread and homemade paste. Taking hold of the bundle of sticks and cutting off the edges, Ananda promptly begins working on a bird-shaped kite as he takes us step by step through the process of making it.

1.The spar: The support stick that is placed sideways across the spine of the frame, in this, two thin bamboo sticks are joined with thread or twine. The two sides need to be of equal length, in order to maintain balance and this can be ensured by peeling off the skin of the stick, using a scissor, to the required level.

2.The spine: In making the spine of the frame, two longer sticks of bamboo are cut. Thread is rolled around them to connect the two sticks

3.The frame: The support sticks are placed horizontally across the spine and tied with a thread to make the frame.

4.To complete the frame, the ends of the sticks are connected with a piece of twine. The spar is kept slightly curved to obtain the desired shape.

The parallel sides need to be equal in length or distance, thus maintaining balance.

5.Cover: The cover is usually done with the use of tissue paper. Lay out the tissue paper and place the frame of the kite on top of it. Trace the outline, cutting-off excess paper while leaving ample room for the edges to be folded over the kite.

Once the outline is made, care- fully fold the edges over the strings of the frame and glue it to the inner side of the paper.

Turn over the frame and create your own design. Add a tail by attaching pieces of paper to the ends of the frame.

6.Ready to fly: With the frame and cover done, we are left only to add the bridle – the strings which are usually attached to the spine or the spars to help maintain control of the kite when in the air. The completed kite is now ready to be flown.

Why wait? Head out to an open area, free of trees and power lines. Be alert to any sudden changes in the wind and keep an eye on your kite, as you gently toss it into the air.

TweetShareShare
Please login to join discussion

Search

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka Online, the web edition of Sri Lanka’s leading monthly corporate publication. Founded in 1996, the magazine currently has a distribution of over 6,000 copies island-wide.

Recent News

  • Investec Cape Town Art Fair
  • Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development
  • DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

Find Us

Explore Sri Lanka
20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing
R. A. De Mel Mawatha
Colombo 04
Sri Lanka.
(+94 11) 259 7991
(+94) 715 134 134
info@btoptions.com
btoptions.com

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
      • 2011
      • 2012
      • 2013
      • 2014
      • 2015
      • 2016
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
      • 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In