Poikkal Kuthirai kite to debut at Tamil Nadu festival

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The Tamil Nadu International Kite Festival will unveil a kite based on Poikkal Kuthirai, the traditional dummy horse dance, at its August 14 to 16 event. More than 200 giant kites will feature in the aerial display, with participants from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, Tamil Nadu Tourism Director V.P. Jeyaseelan said.

Organised by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department and Global Media Box, the festival will offer free public entry this year. Attendance has risen from about 5,000 visitors initially to more than 40,000. Organisers aim to attract international tourists, support coastal businesses and expand the festival eventually to more than 30 countries and 1,000 kites.