![]() ![]() Bunches of frills (usually approximately 3/4ths the length of the body) are connected to each fin-tip. Maaluwa (“Fish”): A diamond shaped (similar to the kombuwa) main body with an extended tail in the shape of two symmetric fins, like the tail of a fish. Frills (usually multi colored and roughly 3/4ths the length of the body) are connected along the curved edge of the tail thus making it similar to the iconic tail feathers of the male peacock. Monara (“Peacock”): A diamond shaped (similar to the kombuwa) main body with an extended curved tail. The top can sometimes be extended, sort of like a bowstrip at the tip of which is connected a long bunch of frills spanning the height of the entire kite. Kombuwa: Shaped like a diamond, typically with bunches of frills on either wingtip (and sometimes down the side). The most popular shapes are roughly described as follows: ![]() Note that this is the most common distribution of sizes there can be much larger (or possibly smaller) ones created for special events. Each shape can come in any size, from the smallest being approximately half a foot to giant kites which can be 15 feet or more. The flying here is a different game, and the fighting that comes along with it is much more fun. Tossing string over electric wires and holding kites atop roof tops while your comrade waits for a favorable wind is a common sight. Here, amidst the dense population of trees, buildings, TV antennae and electric poles, you require quite a bit of skill just to get your kite into the air. However, it is the kite-flying that happens on the by-roads and gardens across the city that interested mini-me. The constant high winds at Galle Face make for a great place to fly/sell kites, attracting anyone and everyone who wants to fly a kite for a day. The heaviest density of kites (at any given point of time) is usually found at the Galle Face Green, an urban park in central Colombo situated right next to the ocean. Colorful kites are a common sight in the sky. The kite season in Sri Lanka usually starts with the dawn of the sunny season in July and runs through to early September where it is broken by the rains. Photo by Jalitha Hewage on Unsplash Kite Season in Sri Lanka ![]()
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