New Delhi Arts & Crafts for Kids
New Delhi has put kite making at the forefront of its arts and crafts. Kite competitions are fierce and very competitive. Kites in New Delhi can be purchased at the patang, or kite market in the bazaars in Old Delhi. New Delhi kites come in all sizes and are flown by people of all ages. Along with being known for their kite making, New Delhi is celebrated for their beautiful miniature painting, which use contrasting colors, great attention to detail, and small pieces of handmade paper.
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Kites and Miniature Painting
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People make kites around the world, and there is even a museum dedicated to kites located in Washington. Look at examples of kits and different types of kites used for fun and competition. Learn more about how kites are made and created (see references). Every year there is an international kite festival in Ahmedabad, India and people of all ages fly kites and try their luck at the sport of kite flying. Kite flying in New Delhi isn't just about pretty colors and catching the wind, the strings of kites are coated with glue and crushed glass, and flyers try to cut others strings, leaving ultimately just one kite flying from hundreds. Learn more about the festival and discuss the tradition (see references).
Miniature paintings are also very popular in India and are created with extreme detail and beautiful colors. Using small brushes, landscapes are created along with images of people. Look at examples of miniature painting of India (see resources) and sketch out a design for a miniature drawing to decorate your kite. Paint the miniature painting using small brushes, bright colors and attention to detail.
Make a Homemade Kite
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To make a basic diamond kite, few materials are needed. Using chopsticks and string, cross the chopsticks forming a "t" and use string to wind around spot where chopsticks meet. Wrap chopsticks until they are sturdy. Select a color of construction paper and place "t" chopsticks on top. Draw a diamond around the "t". Cut out the diamond using scissors. When finished, attach diamond to "t" chopsticks using tape along the chopsticks, picture facing out. Glue your miniature painting onto the outside of the diamond. Punch two holes, one near the top of the vertical "t" and one near the bottom of the vertical "t". Run a piece of string through holes and around chopstick to secure in place and then tie. This string is called the bridle. Using a piece of old fabric or paper crepe, attach a tail to the kite at bottom of the diamond. Tie a long string to the bridle, and the kite is ready to fly.
Hand Dyed Fabric
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Hand-dyed silk fabrics are also another art in India. Beautifully hand-dyed silk scarves and clothes are sold in the markets of New Delhi. To make your own hand-dyed fabric, select a long length of plain cotton or hemp material. Try to use a fabric that doesn't have any pattern to it. To create a dye, use a natural substance such as cut-up beets or cranberries for a red dye. Green dyes can be made from spinach. Onion skins will create a yellow dye. Add natural substances into a pot of water and boil for 10 minutes. Allow water to cool. Press fabric into dye color of choice and let sit in pot overnight. Remove fabric from dye and let dry. Be careful to hand wash your hand dyed scarf so the dye doesn't release on other fabrics.
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