Akbari Manja: 62 years of passion, jugaad and perfection

In a pixel story Sanjana Jagtap explores 62-year-old manja making unit in Vadodara

Every year around December, B C Mistry compound in Fatehgunj, Vadodara witnesses a confluence of skills, colours, passion, and people. The compound houses one of the oldest manja makers (manja is coated threads used for kit flying) of Vadodara – Akbari Patang Store. In more than half a century, this family-run business has mastered the art of manja making. Popularly known as ‘Akbari’, the manja makers here have won the hearts of millions of kite flyers in Gujarat and across India.

Founded 62 years ago by Haji Ahmad Chauhan, Akbari serves thousands of kite flying enthusiasts every year across India. Operations pace up in the month of December to ensure the delivery of all the orders before the kite festival day, known as Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti in Gujarat, that falls on January 14. The family-run business is managed by Haji Ahmad’s son, Haji Anwar (54) – youngest among six siblings. Body builder professional in his youth, Haji Anwar is the man with deep knowledge of all the nitty-gritty of manja making. He not only manages the business but also plays a role of mentor to the younger generation of the family.

At Akbari, each and every procedure of manja making is time-tested. The SOPs, even for the tiniest task, are in place. Kite flying threads of various cords and lengths are carefully passed through the vessel filled with coating material, a mixture of several ingredients including glass powder, before they are wrapped on big Charkha (spinning wheel). Only the experienced and skilled hands of the Akbari family execute this task as this is their USP (unique selling proposition). 

The month of December is peak time for manja making, workers often have to stretch more than 10 hours a day to deliver the orders. Charkhas are custom-designed from bicycle wheels and are electric motor-powered.

Coated threads wrapped on these charkhas are placed in sunlight for drying. Threads are sun-dried most of the time. However, during the cold evenings of December, a wood fire is utilised for drying.

Preparing coloured coating mixture, coating thread, drying, and wrapping on Firkis (smaller spinning wheel with handles) involves many hands. The work demands a lot of physical labour and  most of the work is managed by male members. Involvement  of women in manja making is negligible at the B C Mistry compound. The blurred representation of women in this profession may be backed by the prevalent norm that labour intensive work is better suited for men. 

Once the thread is dried, experienced eyes and skilled hands inspect it. Then the charkhas are attached to an electric motor again to wrap threads on small Firkis for customers.

Amongst the members working, we see Rajiya Bibi, sister-in-law of Haji Anwar, who is involved in a very important task – preparing the coating mixture. While she plays an essential role, she is primarily found managing ‘behind-the-scenes’ work.

 

 

Forged in hard work, innovation and passion, Akbari Patang Store stands tall in the manja making fraternity in Gujarat. The name ‘Akbari’ broadly means ‘having greatness’ was suggested by the spiritual teacher of the family. Haji Anwar is hopeful that young generation of the family will continue the art and will take the Akbari brand to a newer heights.

Sanjana Jagtap is a Community Reporter – Intern at Rootsnews. She is pursuing her masters in Mass communication from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.