Intense Young Kite Flyers on the Varanasi Ghats

During Makar Sankranti Festival in Varanasi, India, thousands of kite fliers come out to play. The battle is on and the sky is filled with small kites tugged by people of all ages. I pondered over the photographic challenge on how to portray this huge event from the ground to the sky. It quickly became clear to me that the context was in the intensity of the children's faces that readily captivated my attention and told the whole story.

This little guy is 4 years old. He had full mastery and a crazed obsession for kite flying.

I love the intensity in his eyes.

These kids have generations of serious kite flying in their blood.

It was hard to watch this small boy standing on a ledge high above the city tugging on his kite string while walking backward. He had an incredible skill for one so young.

As you can see many kites are doomed to death by trees.

Varanasi skyline at sunset. There were thousands of kites.