Sunday in Pallavaram and a P.S.

 

The kite family

        A week ago, the15th birthday party for Alphonse's niece in Pallavarum, a Chennai suburb, merged with a rooftop kite fight. Neighbors sent up a kite adorned with images of movie idol Rajinikanth to battle kites flown by others on nearby rooftops. Glass shards embedded in kite strings   can vanquish opponents with one clean slice. Our team took down two kites within a matter of minutes. I didn't realize at the time that low-flying kites lined with glass have on occasion slit the throats of cyclists. Not the benign battle that it first appeared. Still, the idea of anonymous members of the same community joining together for this Sunday pastime holds appeal. Kind of like gamers unknown to one another doing battle online around the world.  But hold the virtual reality and add the sky.

 

P.S.  Why kite fighting's not a really not a good idea:

 

 

 

 

 

Rooftop kids

 

 

Climbing home

 

 

Remya, the birthday girl, with her parents