Lahore erupts with sounds of 'bo-kata' as Basant returns

LAHORE:

The provincial capital did not sleep to welcome Basant on Thursday, as fireworks cracked the night sky past midnight, kites rose from rooftops and music drifted through the Walled City and beyond in the city long known as the home of 'patang-baaz' — kite flyers by instinct — marking the festival's return after nearly two decades.

At Liberty Chowk, crowds gathered in pent-up anticipation, breaking into cheers as the city slipped into celebration.

With the three-day festival officially beginning today (February 6), Lahore slipped fully into festive mode, its skyline punctured by soaring kites and its streets washed in colour, anticipation and tightly managed order.

Major intersections, underpasses and public spaces glowed with buntings and oversized kite installations, while rooftops deep inside the old city bristled with preparation and promise.

"These colours scattered across Lahore's skies are a reflection of our vitality and ancient culture," Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wrote on social media as the clock struck 12.

"Basant is not merely a festival; it is part of Punjab's tradition. Wishing citizens a day filled with joy and celebration."

Markets traditionally synonymous with Basant such as Mochi Gate, Delhi Gate, Shah Alam Market and Anarkali remained crowded late into the night, as buyers stocked up on kites, spools, fairy lights and festive trimmings.

Shopkeepers said the excitement built steadily as there was cautious curiosity on February 1and unrestrained enthusiasm followed once people realised the revival was real.

Meanwhile, Liberty Chowk emerged as the symbolic centre of festivities, transformed into a civic celebration space adorned with giant kites and lights. Families, young couples and groups of friends gathered to participate.

Enthusiasts say the fundamental shift is that this is the first Basant not whispered or hidden but sanctioned, visible and confidently public.

"Joy has returned as permission. The people want to believe in good and despite rising prices, Lahoris did not hesitate to participate," a Johar Town citizen said. "At least, there's entertainment now."

Similarly, Basant is not confined to rooftops alone, but has returned to public life.

Earlier, the sense of openness deepened on Thursday when Maryam Nawaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to Liberty Chowk and later Mochi Gate, stepping into the crowd and engaging directly with citizens. She spoke with residents, posed for selfies and instructed her security personnel to step aside so she could move freely among the people.

Children, dressed in festive yellow, drew particular attention. The chief minister was seen shaking hands with a young girl, exchanging greetings with others, and blessing an infant carried by a citizen.

Residents praised her performance, with some remarking on the political significance of Basant's return and others expressing hope that similar scenes would soon unfold in other cities.

During the visit, she addressed safety concerns by stopping a motorcyclist riding without a safety rod, explaining that the measure was intended to protect the public and could be installed free of cost at designated camps.

She clarified that motorcycles were not banned during Basant, but warned that vehicles without safety rods would be impounded. "The people of Lahore are celebrating, and their happiness is a source of satisfaction for me," she said, noting that festivities had returned to the city after a long hiatus.

'Bo-kata'

Rooftops were strung with fairy lights, colourful pennants and makeshift lanterns, while powerful bulbs were installed to keep kite battles alive well into the night. Barbecue grills were lit, playlists dusted off, and relatives invited over, turning rooftops into temporary living rooms suspended above the city.

Women prepared traditional yellow and white outfits, often paired with floral jewellery, while children and elders alike sorted kites and spools with practised familiarity. After Maghreb prayers, lights flickered on across inner Lahore, turning entire neighbourhoods into glowing terraces stacked upon one another.

For many Lahoris, Basant is not merely a festival but a familiar ritual. The shout of 'bo-kata', the pull of a string and the sound of folk songs drifting across rooftops are long-established practices, passed down over time despite interruptions.

However, for Generation Z, this Basant carries a different meaning. Many are celebrating for the first time, stepping into a culture they inherited through stories told by parents and elder siblings. For them, the excitement is twofold, combining discovery with a nostalgia that is inherited.

Meanwhile, beauty salons across the city reported a rush of customers, with women saying they intended to celebrate Basant in full traditional style after years of absence. Clothing outlets and accessory shops saw strong demand for bright yellows, greens and reds, as Lahore leaned unapologetically into colour.

'Overwhelmingly positive'

According to Malik Faizan Ahmed, legal adviser to the Kite Flying Association, the revival of Basant has earned the government considerable political goodwill, reducing the likelihood of future bans. "The public response has been overwhelmingly positive, and it now seems difficult for any future government to reverse this decision," he said.

He said public appreciation had been so strong that the festival now appeared to have regained social legitimacy.

He recalled that kite-flying material began selling as soon as the clock struck midnight on February 1, while sales surged dramatically by the third day, once people were convinced the revival was genuine.

He added that strict enforcement and safety measures were in place, expressing confidence that the three-day celebrations would pass without incident.

"God willing, all three days of Basant will pass safely and peacefully," he said.

Administratively, the festival unfolds under a strict safety framework. The Punjab Home Department has confirmed that "Safe Basant" will be observed from February 6 to 8, with Section 144 enforced to maintain public order. The use of metallic and nylon strings has been banned, safety rods have been made mandatory for motorcycles, and emergency services have been placed on full alert.

More than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city, with checkpoints, surveillance and zero tolerance for violations.

Officials insist the measures are not meant to dampen celebration, but to ensure it lasts.