Mysuru: Kite flying is an art and the sky was full of them in various shapes and sizes. While one was in the shape of a fish, the other looked like Hanuman and each one was trying to outdo the other as they soared in the air like birds.

This was the scene at the Lalitha Mahal Helipad Grounds where Mysuru Veerashaiva Sajjana Sangha had organised its 22nd annual kite flying contest yesterday. There were more than hundred participants of all ages.

As soon as the competition began, the kite flyers flew their kites with different names like fish, joker and Hanuman. However, it was quite hilarious and also sad to see a few in spite of their best efforts not being able to fly the kite and the more they tried the more they failed as the kites refused to leave the ground.

In the midst of all this, a huge kite with the photo of 12th century Saint Basavanna attracted everyone’s attention. Another kite carrying the message of Swachh Bharat also floated in the air.

There were competitions in five categories including Indian  and foreign categories. Following are the winners:

Indian category: Charan (first prize), Siddanth (second), M.C. Prabhu (third) and Preethesh & Bhavani (consolation).

Foreign category: Manvi (first prize), Preetesh (second), Jnanavi (third) and Deekshit & Sujesh (consolation).

Big kite category: Sharavan (first), Vishwas (second) and Mallikarjun Prakash (consolation).

Kites with tails category: M.N. Vaibhav (first prize), Amogh (second), Vidya (third) and Mannan Arya & Preetesh (consolation).

Kites without tails category: Charan (first), Kiran Kumar (second), M.C. Liya (third) and Mythreeya & Harshitha (consolation).

Overall Championship was bagged by Mallikarjun Prakash.

Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Assistant Executive Engineer S.K. Bhaskar distributed prizes to the winners on the occasion.

Sharada Mahail Seva Samaja President Vasanthi Palaksha, Secretary Shobha Jayaprakash, Veda Mallikarjun and others           were present.