Holi, the most colourful festival of India, bids farewell to winter and announces the arrival of spring. It is celebrated as the festival of colours by applying different colours on family and friends. In ancient times, people used to prepare natural colours for a safe celebration. Nowadays, due to the change in lifestyle, people have started using artificial colours. These artificial colours contain oxidized metals or industrial dyes that are toxic and cause harm to the body.
According to a research, these artificial colours have different impact on our body. Black colour contains lead oxide and can cause renal failure, green colour contains copper sulphate and may lead to eye allergy, puffiness and temporary blindness. The colour silver is carcinogenic containing aluminium bromide, while blue (prussian blue) and red (mercury sulphite) may cause contract dermatitis and skin cancer respectively.
When washed, these synthetic colours enter into the water and soil, in turn causing pollution. With rising awareness many NGOs, organizations and even people are increasingly using natural colours. These simple natural colours are safe and can be easily made at home. The yellow colour can be prepared by mixing turmeric powder with chick pea flour. Soaking peels of pomegranate in water overnight gives yellow liquid colour. Also by boiling marigold flowers in water one can get the yellow colour. By soaking beetroot in water it gives deep pink colour. Henna leaves dried, powdered and mixed with water gives the orange-red paste. Hence, by using safe, natural colours we not only save our skins but also help save our environment.
© WOC News