ANJALI YADAV/Dehradun
As Holi approaches, many Doonites are choosing to celebrate the festival in a safer and more traditional way. The trend shows that instead of buying chemical-based colours from the stores, many locals are now preparing natural colours at home.
In the past years, shops in Paltan Bazaar and Raja Road were filled with bright synthetic colours. These colours are cheap and easily available, so most people preferred them. However, this time shopkeepers say that customers are asking more for herbal and chemical-free options. “The demand for natural colours has increased compared to last year,” said Kamal Sirola, who runs a shop near Clock Tower. “Buyers are ready to spend a little more if the product is safe for their skin,” he said.
At home, families are using simple ingredients to make colours. Mamta Singh, who has two young kids, said that she is using turmeric to prepare yellow color mixing it with refined flour along with beetroot for pink and spinach for green colour. She says it is also safer for her young kids.
At the same time, some people are drying flower petals like marigolds and roses, then grinding them to make soft gulal. “What was once a common practice in the past is slowly becoming popular again,” another local resident Rekha Sharma told this correspondent.
A few residents are even supplying homemade colours to local shops, Sirola said.
The main reason behind this shift is health concerns. Many people have faced problems like rashes, itching, redness and skin irritation after playing Holi with chemical colours. Parents are especially careful when it comes to children, as their skin is more sensitive. Doctors have also warned about the harmful effects of artificial colours. Dermatologist Bhavya Sangal said that these colours can cause allergies, a burning sensation and in some cases even skin infections. If colour goes into the eyes, it may lead to irritation, watering and redness, she said. Breathing in colour powder can also create problems for people who suffer from asthma or dust allergy, she added.
