Marigolds or Mercuric Oxide. What's in your Holi colours?

Hello {NAME}, Holi is an ancient festival with a myriad of myths and legends to explain its origins. It is a celebration of the arrival of spring after winter and an offering of thanks for a bountiful harvest. Across the country, it is a time of merrymaking and revelling in the colour and vitality of spring after the weariness of winter. Traditionally, Holi's hues came from plant sources: green was made by grinding leaves of neem, henna or spinach. Yellow was born of turmeric which also produced red when treated with lime. The petals of a number of marigolds, chrysanthemums and roses were pressed into action to produce pinks and oranges of various tones while fruit such as pomegranate was used for its crimson hue. Charcoal produced a pitch-black while indigo was used to get a blue. The resultant colours were decidedly muted but because they were homemade with garden ingredients, they were gentle on the eyes, hair and skin. They could be washed off easily and the water fed to the very plants used in their making. Today, our search for brighter, stronger and cheaper colours has led us away from the essence of Holi. Sun-drying and hand pounding have given way to synthetic chemistry and herbal materials have been replaced by metal-based pigments such as copper sulphate (green), lead oxide (yellow/ orange), mercury sulphite (red/ pink) and chromium iodide. A number of industrial dyes such as Gentian violet, Rhodamine B and malachite green are also used despite their known hazards. Even mica is known to be added for shine. It is ironic that a festival that celebrates the colours of Nature and the triumph of good over evil involves deadly chemicals that harm human health and cause long-term damage to soil and water bodies. Fortunately, as awareness rises of the toxicity of commercial Holi colours, a number of small business have risen to meet the demand for safe, eco-friendly and non-toxic alternatives made with flowers, herbs and other ingredients you can recognise. This year, you can celebrate Holi with all the fun and none of the burn. Buy skin-safe Holi colours [here.]( Cheers, Maya PS. Do you have any feedback or suggestions for us? We love hearing from our readers. You can write to me at maya@thebetterindia.com. [Buy Now]( [Combo Pack of 4 Holi Colours]( Earthen P]( Free from toxic chemicals and artificial additives, these colours are entirely organic and skin safe. This combo pack contains four colours that are easily washable, and come packaged in attractive earthen matkas. [N]( Holi Colour Combo]( An assortment of natural colours that are made from thousands of discarded temple flowers by intellectually challenged individuals who earn a sustainable livelihood from this venture. These colours have a mild floral fragrance and a uniquely soft texture that is skin-friendly and easy to clean-up. [Rang Dulaar Natural Holi Colours]( Vibrant and bright, these colours are made by mixing all-natural ingredients. They are lab-tested for heavy metals, making them safe for both humans and pets. They are free of artificial pigments and filler and help generate an income for a women's self-help group. [Chemical-Free Holi Colour Combo Pack of 5]( Handcrafted by women artisans of Haryana, these colours are made from all-natural, skin-safe ingredients and fragrances. The colours are bright and have a smooth texture. [Karnival on Facebook]( [Karnival on Instagram]( [Karnival]( Copyright © 2020 The Better India. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted for it on our website. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.