Atop a terrace in Urdu Bazar, with Jama Masjid forming a striking backdrop, Dilliwallahs gathered to celebrate Independence Day the Purani Dilli way – with patangbaazi, aatishbaazi and the spirit of a shared terrace. Patang & Pech Festival brought together families and people from across the city, many of whom got a taste of festivities they had either grown up with or never experienced before. Between flying kites and watching fireworks light up the skyline, participants had tricolour tattoos painted on their faces and calligraphy done on miniature tricolour kites.
Learning the ropes – or rather, the threads – of the charkhi, old friends and new came together to make memories under the Old Delhi sky
Between flying kites and watching fireworks light up the skyline, participants had tricolour tattoos painted on their faces
‘Kite-flying & fireworks have always been a part of how Purani Dilli celebrates I-Day’Abu Sufiyan Khan, host of the festival and founder of Tales of City, said, “Kite-flying and fireworks have always been a part of how Purani Dilli celebrates Independence Day. We wanted to create a safe space where families could experience that communal spirit, especially those who may not have access to rooftops. People also formed their own groups and found different ways to connect. Some made friendships over a game of carrom, while complete strangers became good friends. There was even an elderly NRI woman who joined us and played carrom continuously for two hours.”
Abu Sufiyan Khan gets in on the festivities, lighting sky lanterns
Tariq Mustafa, who participated in the evening with his sister and three-year-old niece, said the experience offered a different side of Purani Dilli. “I have been documenting Old Delhi through photographs, including on August 15 a few times, but I have never participated in patangbaazi here. It was a refreshing experience,” he shared.
Tariq Mustafa, who participated in the evening with his sister and three-year-old niece, said the experience offered a different side of Purani Dilli
For Class VIII student Krishnav Taneja, the sky was the biggest attraction. He said, “This part of Delhi is the best example of communal harmony. I have never seen the sky filled with so many kites. I thoroughly enjoyed flying kites. After many failed attempts, I found an ustaad who helped me.”
‘Kite-flying & fireworks have always been a part of how Purani Dilli celebrates I-Day’
It was wonderful to see people feel at home, embrace the community and connect with the history and heritage of the city
– Abu Sufiyan Khan, host of the festival
Bringing back the shared terraceWhatta Place founder Anam Khan, who scouts Delhi locations for curated events and collaborated on the festival, said the idea was to recreate the culture of shared terraces, even if just for an evening. “Anyone who grew up in Delhi knows the joy of having shared terraces. It was a joy to find a space where the community from different parts of Delhi could come together and relive their childhood,” she said.
‘It was wonderful to see people feel at home, embraced by the community, and connected to the history and heritage of the city’
For Abdullah, a Matia Mahal resident, celebrating Independence Day on the terrace is an annual tradition. “Purani Dilli mein toh jashn hota hai. The entire extended family gathers on the roof and we celebrate with music, flying kites and lighting fireworks, then sit together on the dastarkhwan for a meal. Mere yahan aksar biryani banti hai. This year, I celebrated here with many who experienced such festivities for the first time, so it was fun,” he shared.
Bringing back the shared terrace
I am reminded of my home in Jammu, where my mom grew up. It had a similar terrace. We used to celebrate August 15 there. I enjoyed being a part of Old Delhi festivities; it was like a rewind to childhood
Seetu Kohli, who attended the festival with her family
Seetu Kohli said the evening brought back memories of Independence Day celebrations in Jammu
The patriotic playlist
- Yeh Jo Des Hai Mera
- Teri Mitti
- Sandese Aate Hai
- Des Rangila
- Ae Watan
- Chak De! India
- Jai Ho
Attendees lit up sky lanters to conclude the festivities
‘For some, it was a return to kite-flying after years’Another such gathering, Azaadi Ki Patangbaazi, was hosted on a home terrace in Old Delhi by DelhiByFoot, in collaboration with Fouzia Dastango and Dastarkhwane Sana Begum. Priyanka Bhaskar of the team said the participants included students and retired corporate professionals, some of whom travelled from Gurgaon. She said, “Some had flown kites as kids but lost touch with it and were happy to revive those skills. Others were complete novices. For many, Independence Day is simply a holiday and not necessarily a festival. So, people were stunned to see it being celebrated with such fervour and to experience this side of the city’s Independence Day traditions.” The do also featured a traditional spread of masoor dal pulao, mutton qorma with doodh ka kulcha, zafraan wali roti and paneer khurchan.
For many, Independence Day is simply a holiday and not necessarily a festival: Priyanka Bhaskar from DelhiByFoot
