Basant
"A Sky Full of Memories"
The Festival of Yellow and Joy:
Basant, the vibrant springtime festival of kites, was once the heartbeat of Lahore and several other cities in Punjab. Celebrated with enthusiasm to mark the arrival of spring, it turned rooftops into joyful arenas of laughter, colour, and friendly competition. The sky, painted with fluttering kites of all shapes and sizes, reflected the spirit of a people welcoming the new season with open arms, dressed in yellow and carried by the wind of celebration.
A Rooftop Culture:
From dawn to dusk, families, neighbours, and friends gathered on rooftops to enjoy traditional music, food, and, most importantly, kite flying battles. The cries of "Bo kata!" echoed through the air as one kite cut down another, while Dhol beats, traditional sweets like jalebi, and parathas added to the festive rhythm. Basant wasn’t just a festival , it was an emotion shared across generations, connecting people through friendly rivalry, celebration, and cultural pride.
A Memory That Still Soars:
Though now a memory due to bans on kite flying, Basant remains etched in the hearts of those who lived it. It stands as a symbol of cultural joy, community spirit, and the beauty of simple pleasures. In every nostalgic smile, in every yellow dupatta or rooftop view, the memory of Basant lives on reminding us of a time when joy was measured in colours soaring against the spring sky.
