Patang and Pech Festival Brings Old Delhi Terrace Celebrations to Urdu Bazar
Dilliwallahs gathered atop a terrace in Urdu Bazar, with Jama Masjid forming a backdrop, to celebrate Independence Day with the Patang & Pech Festival. The event brought together families and residents from across the capital to experience Old Delhi's traditional festive culture through kite-flying, fireworks, and shared rooftop gatherings.
Participants engaged in patangbaazi, learned kite-flying techniques with charkhis, and watched fireworks light up the skyline. Attendees also had tricolour tattoos painted on their faces, received calligraphy on miniature tricolour kites, and concluded the evening by releasing sky lanterns.
Abu Sufiyan Khan, festival host and founder of Tales of City, stated that kite-flying and fireworks have long been central to how Purani Dilli marks Independence Day. He explained that the initiative was designed to offer a safe community space, particularly for families without rooftop access. Khan noted that strangers connected over games of carrom, including an elderly non-resident Indian woman who played for two consecutive hours.
The festival was organised in collaboration with Anam Khan, founder of Whatta Place, who scouts venues across the city. She said the initiative aimed to recreate the shared terrace culture familiar to people who grew up in Delhi, allowing visitors to relive childhood traditions.
Participants from various backgrounds attended the gathering. Tariq Mustafa, who attended with his sister and three-year-old niece, said taking part in patangbaazi offered a new perspective after having previously documented Old Delhi through photography. Krishnav Taneja, a Class VIII student, described the kite-filled sky as an example of communal harmony and learned flying skills with help from an experienced participant.
Abdullah, a resident of Matia Mahal, noted that rooftop celebrations are an annual tradition involving extended family, music, fireworks, and meals shared on a dastarkhwan. Another attendee, Seetu Kohli, remarked that the celebration reminded her of childhood August 15 gatherings on her family's terrace in Jammu.
