After Nearly Two Decades, Basant Returns to Lahore in a Spectacular Revival of Culture and Color

Lahore is once again looking skyward. After nearly two decades of silence, the iconic Basant festival has returned to Pakistan’s cultural capital, bringing with it color-soaked memories, economic revival, and emotional reunions with a tradition that defined the city’s identity.

From the historic rooftops of the Walled City to packed markets and fully booked heritage hotels, Basant has set Lahore ablaze with celebration. DJ music echoes across neighborhoods, rooftops have turned into kite-flying arenas, and the once-forbidden chant of “bo kata” rings through the air once more.

The revival follows the punjab government’s decision to lift a 19-year-old ban on kite flying, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz personally championing the festival as a reclamation of Lahore’s cultural soul. The three-day celebrations officially began on Friday, February 6, with the provincial administration investing heavily in promotion, regulation, and safety enforcement.

Yousaf Salahuddin, renowned cultural figure and grandson of poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, reflected on the long cultural void Basant left behind. Hosting Basant gatherings at his iconic Barood Khana haveli in the past, Salahuddin once welcomed global celebrities including Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Vinod Khanna, and Rekha.

“For nearly 20 years, Basant — a cultural export worth millions — existed only in memory,” Salahuddin was quoted by Dawn as saying, lamenting the missed opportunities and cultural loss caused by the prolonged ban.

Pakistani scientist and tech entrepreneur Umar Saif also recalled Basant nights when Lahore felt like a single giant celebration. “Rooftops became battlegrounds, barbecues burned till dawn, and music played as if the city had decided to go live together,” he reminisced.

Now, with Basant officially restored, Saif says Lahore is witnessing a homecoming of sorts. Overseas Pakistanis are returning in large numbers, eager to relive a tradition that many younger Lahoris had only heard about through stories and photographs.

Rooted in Hindu agrarian customs and Sufi traditions, Basant has historically marked the arrival of spring across the subcontinent. For nearly two decades, however, an entire generation in Lahore grew up without experiencing its magic firsthand.

This year, that changed — emphatically.

Under Maryam Nawaz’s leadership, the Punjab government not only lifted the ban but positioned Basant as a symbol of cultural restoration. Markets in Lahore are overflowing with kite buyers, rooftops in Androon Lahore are booked weeks in advance, and the city’s hospitality sector is experiencing a major boost.

“After 25 years, Basant comes to life once more as kites take over the skies of Lahore,” Maryam Nawaz wrote on X. “Let US celebrate responsibly, follow all safety SOPs, and ensure a safe Basant for everyone.”

Yet, the festival’s return has not been without concern. Despite unprecedented safety measures, incidents have already been reported. According to Geo TV, five people were injured and a 25-year-old man died of electrocution while attempting to remove a kite entangled in live wires.

Why Was Basant Banned — And Why Is It Back?

Basant was banned in 2007 after a series of tragic deaths caused by dangerous kite strings coated with glass or metal, commonly referred to as Chinese manjha. Electrocutions and celebratory gunfire further contributed to the festival’s deadly reputation.

After years of public appeals, the Punjab government cautiously decided to revive the festival — beginning with Lahore as a test case. Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari stated that if Lahoris demonstrate responsibility, Basant could eventually be restored across Punjab.

Strict regulations now govern the celebrations. These include QR-coded kites, heavy fines for violations, mandatory safety rods on motorcycles, and a complete ban on minors flying kites. Political imagery, religious symbols, and public figures are prohibited on kites.

Markets, Hotels, and Rooftops Booked at Premium Rates

Lahore’s economy has felt an immediate uplift. Social media videos show packed markets and soaring kite prices due to overwhelming demand. According to Geo TV, some kite spools — known locally as pinna — are selling for up to PKR 12,000.

“We waited years for this moment,” kite enthusiast Kashif Shah told Anadolu Agency after arriving at Mochi Gate hours before shops opened.

Hotels in the Walled City report full occupancy. The Pearl Continental Hotel confirmed that most rooms were booked by foreigners and domestic tourists, with live concerts and rooftop kite flying arranged for guests.

Traders have welcomed the revival, calling it a long-overdue economic boost after years of stagnation.

Gen Z Experiences Basant for the First Time

While older Lahoris celebrate nostalgia, Pakistan’s Gen Z is experiencing Basant for the first time. Online forums are flooded with questions like “What is Basant really like?” and “How do newcomers experience it?”

“From age five to 22, I flew kites almost every day,” 47-year-old Hassan Ejaz told Dawn, recalling childhood Basant preparations financed lovingly by his grandmother.

Yet, not all voices are celebratory. Residents outside Lahore have questioned why the festival is limited to one city. “Basant is not just Lahore,” one user wrote on X. Others from Karachi and across Punjab echoed similar sentiments.

Opposition, Safety Concerns, and Political Criticism

Critics have raised concerns over safety enforcement, government spending, and political optics. In 2025, PTI legislator Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood petitioned the Lahore High Court, citing public safety risks.

Some questioned the cost of hosting international influencers, while others objected to Maryam Nawaz being the public face of the celebrations.

Despite the criticism — and the risks — Lahore’s skies are once again filled with kites.

For now, debates can wait. The city is celebrating. Rooftops are alive. And after nearly two decades, Lahore is shouting “bo kata” once again.