Holi colours appear to go vegetarian in Siliguri. A group of homemakers in this town are using vegetables like turmeric, beetroot, spinach, and flowers like marigold and rose petals to come up with herbal and safe Holi colours.
Aripta Singh Roy, a trainer said: “This year we are using turmeric, beetroot, spinach, marigold and rose petals to come up with herbal colours. For instance, spinach leaf is being used to prepare green colour, roses for pink, palash and marigold for saffron and yellow colours, respectively, beetroot for red colour and so on.”
These women are being trained by the Unique Foundation, a voluntary organisation in Siliguri. Two self-help groups with around 10 women in the area have been taught to make these colours. The idea was put forth given the increase in demand for herbal colours.
Roy said: “We realised that there is an increase in demand for herbal colours and hence decided to take forward the idea. We have come to know that some colour manufacturers sometimes use hazardous chemicals which could be toxic to skin and eyes.”
Apart from vegetables and flowers, fruits and leaves, some of which are collected from the wild are used. Lipika Mandal, a member of the self-help group said: “In our locality, many would refrain from playing Holi because of chemical colours. This is why there is much interest in our work this year even in our neighbourhood.”
Orders are coming thick and fast. “So far, we have already produced about 30 kgs of herbal colours and I have personally earned about Rs 4,000 in a week, which is a great feeling,” said Sunita Roy, a member of the group. Arrangements have been made to sell the produce in the open market as well.
“We will sell these colours for Rs 70 for 100 grams and Rs 500 for a kilo,” said Roy. Shakti Pal, the founder, said that these herbal colours have no side effects. “The quality of our colours is also very good and as a result, orders have already started coming from different areas. This time we will be making packets from 100 grams to one kilo,” Pal said.
