His business has been growing over the years because not only people from traditional Old Dhaka, but also from other areas have been coming to buy his kites.

He has used the motifs of the National Memorial and Shaheed Minar and the maps of 34 countries participating in the World Cup football 2006 in his kites making them distinctive from the others displayed in the exhibition.

Some of his kites bear the scenes of rural Bangladesh and traditional items like nakshi kantha too.

Sona Mia's kites along with other eye-catching kites in different sizes, colours, shades and appearances from Bangladesh, Japan, China, Malaysia, Turkey, South Korea, India, Pakistan and Singapore have been put on display at the National Museum as the Maggi Asian Kite Exhibition 2006 began yesterday.

The three day long exhibition was inaugurated by the Chairman of Privatisation Commission Inam Ahmed Chowdhury at the Nolini Kanta Bhattashali Gallery of the museum.

Dhakabashi, an Old Dhaka based cultural organisation and Bangladesh Kite Federation jointly organised the exhibition with Nestle Bangladesh Ltd sponsoring the event.

Naturally children are enjoying the exhibition most. "Earlier I had only heard of such beautiful kites. Now I can see them," said Jisan from Goran.

Bazlul Haque from Jinzira who came to the festival with his two children, said: "It's a great escape from the monotonous city life."

"Children get both entertainment and the sense of colour combination from such exhibition," said Rehana Begum, a housewife from Mohammadpur.

Sukur Salek, president of Dhakabashi, which has been organising this annual exhibition since 1991, said: "Because of rapid and unplanned urbanisation, it has become difficult for people to fly kites in the city. That's why we want to continue this exhibition in the future so that Dhakaites do not forget the tradition of kite flying.

Salek also said that they are planning to hold a world kite exhibition in Dhaka in February 2007.

Kites from Japan shaped like dragon, eagle, owl, umbrella and in some geometric forms attracted the visitors most. These are named Hinode Tsuru, Bara Mon, Hyottoko, Tonbi, Haramatsu, Hata, Tsugaru, Semi, Saruga, Yakko, Doujin, Yokanbe, Berabou, Managu and Ohi Youlu.

Hyottoko, a kite from Tokyo, shaped like a man's funny face with one small eye and painted mouth, amused the visitors.

On Friday, members of Dhakabashi and Bangladesh Kite Federation took out a colourful procession in the city marking the festival.

The exhibition will continue until July 3 and remain open from 11.00am and 6.00pm.