“Guddi Dadu” of Rangpur has been making kites for five decades, coloring the childhood of children and teenagers.

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An old man is often seen around Central Road, one of the heart centers of Rangpur Nagar, who has overcome old age and still rides a bicycle around. But this is not his original identity; Rather, he is known as ‘Guddi Dadu’ in the area. He has been making kites with his own hands for five decades, bringing smiles to the faces of Rangpur children.

Abdur Razzak is this dreamy man who shows the happy childhood of children. His house is in Shahipara behind Begum Rokeya College in Rangpur Nagar. According to the National Identity Card, he was born in 1932. That is, he is now ninety-four. Even at this age, the colorful kites of childhood are being made with both hands.

Abdur Razzak’s original residence was at Murgia Char in Mozaffarpur district of Bihar state, India. He moved to Rangpur with his father in 1946 as a child. His father Wazir Mia used to work here. Sometimes used to drive rickshaws, and also used to make carpets. They did not return to Bihar after partition. They settled in Rangpur with their families.

Prothom Alor spoke with Abdur Razzak at his home on Monday afternoon. Abdur Razzak said that his age was 28 to 30. He had a biscuit bakery at Fire Service Junction in Rangpur Nagar. The factory was at home, he was a biscuit maker. At that time, school boys used to come to his shop to eat biscuits. They used to have colored paper to make kites with.

Reminiscing about that time, Abdur Razzak said, ‘I made a doll with a paper, it flew well. After that I started making Guddi sitting in that shop. My kite flies well. The yarn does not pull, meaning it does not move to one side. Everyone comes for this.

Chandan Kumar Mandal (50), a resident of Rangpur’s Guptapara, spent his childhood flying kites made by Abdur Razzak. He said, ‘I remember, I am buying Guddi from him (Abdur Razzaq) for eight annas. Then I bought 12 annas, one taka, like this for many days. Then I used to fly kites in the collectorate field, everyone would take eight to ten kites. We used to enjoy those times.

Mahmudul Hasan (54), a wood trader at Fire Service Square, evoked nostalgia with Abdur Razzak’s ghuddi. He said, in their childhood, Shimul, Shapla and Mithu brand kites were very popular in Rangpur. Among them was Abdur Razzak’s Shapla brand kite. The price of chashmadar, patidar, snake kites or huge shaped dhows kites made by his skillful touch was sky high. Abdur Razzak’s colorful kites used to light up the sky of Rangpur on Chaitra Sankranti, Payala Boishakh or any other festival. He used to give kites for free many times.

Abdur Razzaq once left the biscuit shop and took up kite making as his main occupation. He said, the air is good during these four months from Falgun to Jaishtha. Then he used to make thousands of kites at home. Day and night he was immersed in this work only. Wholesalers used to come from far away to buy kites. People would come from far and wide because his kites were guaranteed to fly.

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Jobeda Begum, Abdur Razzak’s wife, is also unseasoned. Referring to the events of those days, he said, “This family is running on the money of selling goodies.” Then again Lep-Toshak was also made. I mean, three daughters got married on it, then four sisters, then two of his own sons got married on it – on them.’

Abdur Razzak, who is over 90 years old, still makes kites at home. But now not for the profession, but for the pleasure of the mind. Tell the wholesalers that they can make it according to their needs. Always make five-seven kites. Small kites are sold at Tk 10 to Tk 15, medium at Tk 20 to Tk 30.

Abdur Razzaq went to his house and found him sitting on the bed making a kite with bamboo tools and colored paper on the table. At that time, he said, ‘I do it as a hobby. Now it doesn’t cost much. There are boys, they take care. I do it just to pass the time and keep the memories. By the grace of God, I can still see well. Don’t need glasses. There is no problem in picking a stick or tying a kite.

Abdur Razzak’s son’s wife Nargis Begum said that although the amount of making kites has decreased due to age, his love for children has not decreased at all. Even now, when a child calls Grandpa and brings a kite, his eyes and face smile. Unknowingly, he has become a ‘guddi dadu’ to the children. The addiction he holds in love is personal.

Omar Farooq, a student of Rangpur Government Technical School and College, was found in the house of Abdur Razzak. He has come to buy a kite for the first Baisakh. Omar Farooq says, ‘Guddi Dadu makes good Guddi. Can be blown in light air.

Abid Karim, associate director of Bangla Academy and officer in charge of Begum Rokeya Memorial Center, said that kites have been associated with the culture of this country since time immemorial. In Prothom Alo, he said, ‘We saw in childhood, there was a kite flying competition. Now, due to lack of high-rise buildings and open fields, kite flying in the city has come down to almost zero. However, when there are various festivals, children come back to this tradition and culture of Bengali even for a day. Abdur Razzak is still maintaining this comeback. Kites made by him will be available at the fair of Gramganj on the first Baisakh of this year. He has kept alive the nostalgia of kite flying.’