Kite flying is a popular festival in India, and in Gujarat, people eagerly await the festival of Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti). Like every year, this year too, the market for kites and ‘manja’ (kite thread) is buzzing. There is a huge demand for Surat’s thread in Gujarat,  other states, and even abroad.

Ravi Painter from Nanpura, who has been making Surti thread for many years, said that the demand for Surti thread is not only in Gujarat, but also in other states of the country as well as abroad. NRIs living abroad order this thread, from the US and Canada. These threads are shipped 20 days before Uttarayan. 

Surat’s ‘manja’ is known for its quality and strength. Years ago, when technology was not so advanced, people in Surat used to make thread by hand. This is also called ‘lugdi manja’. But now with technology and advanced machines the need for making thread with hand has reduced.

There are now very few artisans who make the thread in Surat. 

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