Nagpur's Sky Comes Alive with Makar Sankranti Celebrations
The early morning sky over Nagpur transformed into a vibrant canvas on Makar Sankranti. Colorful kites danced like birds, some climbing high while others glided lower. Each kite remained tethered to strings held firmly from terraces across the city. Rooftops turned into cheerful festival grounds, dotted with splashes of color and various shapes against the horizon.
A Noisy and Spirited Tradition
By 9 AM, loudspeakers on terraces began blaring film songs and Punjabi tracks. The familiar, noisy, and spirited avatar of Makar Sankranti had taken hold. Small children clutched spools of manja, their eyes fixed intently on the sky above. Every successful cut of a rival kite prompted triumphant choruses of "Ooo Kaat…" echoing through neighborhoods.
Friends dropped in unannounced, moving freely between terraces and staircases. They carried packets of traditional sweets like tilgul, chikki, and peanuts. Plates exchanged hands as easily as greetings, bringing together neighbors who typically shared only passing nods throughout the year.
"It is one of the few days when everyone makes time for each other," said Manisha Deorankar, a resident of Laxmi Nagar.Balancing Festivities with Daily Responsibilities
Not all residents could fully participate in the day's celebrations. Several people mentioned that the absence of an official holiday limited their involvement. They could only join briefly before heading to work responsibilities.
"I managed to spend some time on the terrace in the morning, but I left soon after for the office," explained Dhananjay Barapatre, a resident from Mahal area.
As wind conditions weakened in the afternoon, teenagers adapted their activities. Many turned to cricket matches on terraces, pausing play whenever drifting kites crossed their line of sight.
"With little wind, flying kites becomes tiring and ineffective. Cricket becomes the best alternative," noted Vickey Taksande, a resident of Ganeshpeth who played with friends on his terrace.
Multiple Layers of Celebration
Away from the festive terraces, Nagpur's administrative machinery remained active due to polling day preparations. Since it was also the silence period following intense campaigning, some candidates tried to unwind by flying kites and joining celebrations.
Adding a quieter, traditional dimension to the day, women across neighborhoods gathered for haldikumkum ceremonies. These mostly occurred in the evening hours. Dressed in bright saris, they exchanged tilgul, applied haldi and kumkum, and offered prayers for prosperity and well-being.
These gatherings, marked by conversation and ritual, reflected a calmer side of the celebrations. They provided a contrast to the energetic terrace activities happening simultaneously across the city.
The Essence of Nagpur's Festival
Makar Sankranti once again demonstrated why it remains one of Nagpur's most lived-in festivals. The celebration unfolded in its characteristic unpolished, noisy, crowded, and deeply personal manner. Above the city's rooftops, between tangled strings, election preparations, and shared tilgul, the festival didn't happen on a stage but under an open sky.
The day blended modern pastimes with traditional rituals, work commitments with community bonding, and political silence with festive noise. This complex tapestry of activities captured the essence of how Nagpur residents embrace their festivals while navigating contemporary urban life.
