Kite flying fest on the eve of JLF

At the Kite flying festival in Jaipur

Jaipur, January 16, 2014: The welcome pre-party to the 7^th Jaipur Literature Festival 2014 began today with a kite flying festival that I hosted at the ITC Rajputana. It started from 2 pm onwards and was attended by the glitterati of Jaipur and the delegates of the Litfest.

With Babu Khan

This was the first time such a pre-event festival was launched. On earlier occasions, including last year, there used to be a cricket match between the Rajasthan Royals and Litfest 11 team.

A Rajasthani village life ambience was created at the venue amid kite flying and display of various kinds of kites. The guests were treated to festival delicacies like til ke laddoo, elaichi chai, firni, mirch bada and kachori.

Babu Khan, a 76-year-old kite flying expert was present along with other experts from Udaipur, kalabaaz from Sikar performed rope tricks, kathputhli artistes from Jaipur showed their colourful puppets, lac bangle makers, potters and so on - all added to the festive spirit which the foreign delegates liked very much. 

With an author from Egypt

The idea was to recreate and showcase a typical Rajasthani village life scenario along with the thrills of kite flying.

Today evening there will be a Cocktails & Dinner at the Rambagh Palace from 7 pm onwards. I am expecting to meet many friends and acquaintances.
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