Upward trend of organic colours

Hyderabad: The traders at Begum Bazaar are now selling eco-friendly colours. There is a shift not just among people, but also among traders who are stocking colours made of natural, herbal and organic ingredients.

Keshav, a resident of Begum Bazaar, said, "A few years ago one could get organic colours only in supermarkets and high-end stores, but that is not the case not anymore. Traders even in the bylanes in the Old City are selling organic colours. They are slightly costlier, but people realise the need."

Rekha Gulati, a resident of Domalguda, said, "Grocery sites have been advertising about the eco-friendly colours for the past few days. They have several options."

Thanks to the growing awareness on shunning the use of colours made of synthetic dyes.

More and more customers are now insisting on organic colours.

People are ready to pay more money for the colours, as they realise the harmful effects the artificial colours can cause on the skin and to eyes."

You can make organic colors at home

Yellow: The bright color!

Turmeric and gram flour are an important part of our homemade face packs. You can mix both to create the color yellow. You can replace gram flour with talcum powder.

Red: Most important color for Holi!

One can make this with sandalwood powder which is very good for skin. Apart from that, you can use sindoor as well.Powder dry red hibiscus flowers and use them as gulal. You can also soak these flowers in water overnight to get wet color.

Pink: Girly one!

For wet pink color, chop beetroot and soak them overnight in water or boil or few minutes.

Green: The nature's color!

You can use henna powder, mixed with any suitable flour to attain the shade you require. Mehendi only leaves its color when it's wet and dry Mehendi can be brushed off easily.

Black: This is interesting!

You can boil gooseberries in an iron container for few minutes and then keep it aside for a while. Dilute it with water and use. It also works as a conditioner!

If making all these is a hectic job for you then you can buy the eco friendly colors directly from the respective shops.

Avoid chemicals

Purple: It may contain chromium iodide that can lead to various allergies and asthma.

Green: The copper sulphate which can cause temporary blindness and eye allergies.

Gulal: Mostly used gulal may contain Mercury sulphite, which can cause skin cancer, mental retardation or paralysis.

Silver: It may include aluminium bromid, a carcinogenic agent that can cause cancer.

After knowing about the hazards and side-effects of the colors, one might think of staying at home on festival but it's not a great idea. One can use organic colors and stay safe and celebrate the great day simultaneously.