Iqbal Sakka, renowned artist and craftsman of Udaipur, has always amazed everyone with his incredible skills and creativity; this time, he has done something special on the occasion of Makar Sakranti, a festival also associated with various traditional sports activities.

Sakka has made arguably one of the world’s tiniest kite, thread, thread holder, gilli-danda and a ball for sitolia, another popular game played on Makar Sakranti in the early days, but with tech products taking over, it has lost its importance.

Kites made from small and colorful paper are as small as 1.1millimeter, however being so small; a thread is nicely tied on it which demonstrates the accuracy of the craftsman. Likewise, a thread holder known as charkhi is made from silver and is only 3x2millimeter in size.

A beautiful pair of silver gilli-danda, only 1x1millimeter in size with a little ball and sitolia depict the customary and traditional importance of Makar Sakranti. “Makar Sakranti is celebrated in various forms in every Indian state, where some fly kites while other play gilli-danda and satolia. This diversity in our traditions has inspired me to make all these miniature art work”, said Iqbal Sakka. Remembering the International Kite Flyer of Udaipur, Late Abdul Malik who passed away a few months ago, Iqbal Sakka said, “This small work of mine is dedicated to Abdul Malik, who was a great man and a very close friend of mine.” The artwork of Iqbal is exhibited at Sakka International Metal Art Center. Iqbal Sakka can be contacted on 0091-92521 02844. Photos by Sayeed Ahmed