-Shruti Srivastava, Shikha Shah and Kunal Singh
Holi, the vibrant festival of colours, originated in India and is now celebrated worldwide. Marking the triumph of good over evil, the arrival of spring and the end of winter, Holi begins with the Holika Dahan bonfire on the full moon night of Phalguna (Phagun). It’s a time to reconnect, forgive, and spread joy.
The festivities include the playful use of gulaal (coloured powders), pichkaris (water guns), and water balloons, as communities come together in spirited celebration. Thandai, a traditional drink made with milk, nuts, and spices, often infused with bhang, adds to the cultural richness of the occasion, especially in India.
Historically, Holi colours were crafted from natural herbs and flowers, offering safe and skin-friendly options. The growing shift back to eco-friendly colours ensures that this cherished festival remains both joyful and sustainable.
Origin of synthetic Holi colours and its glorification
In last 25-30 years, with commercialization of this festival worldwide and advance in modern chemistry, there has been a serious concern about use of synthetic Holi colours.
Synthetic Holi colours, are readily available in market all over India, and are mostly used in Holi celebrations due to its affordability, availability, and vibrant shades.
“The synthetic colours available in the market comprises of toxic components such as lead oxide, diesel, chromium iodine and copper sulphate which lead to rashes on the skin, allergies, pigmentation, frizzy hair and eye irritation. In extreme cases, it can cause serious skin diseases and clogging of hair cuticles resulting in severe hair damage. So, we should deliberately opt for herbal colours even if it is costly. If demand increases, the cost would naturally come down.”
While synthetic colours dominate Holi markets, awareness about their negative impact is growing among masses.
“Majority of colouring agents used in ‘Holi’ are synthetic dyes of non-food commodities such as textile, paper and leather. Most of the synthetic dye-based ‘Holi’ powder contain heavy metals. Scientific tests have verified that these can cause skin and eye irritation, allergy and can even trigger asthma.”
Encouraging the use of eco-friendly, natural alternatives and educating communities about the harmful effects of synthetic dyes can lead to safer and more sustainable celebrations.
“It’s no big surprise that post Holi festivities many individuals make rounds to doctor's clinics and hospitals complaining of skin problems, respiratory disease, conjunctivitis, corneal aberration and ocular harm.”
Bright synthetic Holi colors may look appealing but have severe environmental and health impacts. When washed off, their chemicals contaminate soil and water, harming ecosystems and aquatic life. Additionally, the plastic packaging of these colors adds to non-biodegradable waste and single-use plastic pollution.
Wet Holi celebrations, involving synthetic colors mixed with water and disposable plastic water guns, contribute to water wastage and landfill accumulation. Water-filled balloons (often made of a mix of rubber and plastic) popular among children pose injury risks and clog drainage systems, further exacerbating environmental damage. Sustainable alternatives and mindful practices are essential to minimize these harmful effects.
Shift back towards the culture of playing Holi with natural colours
Slow awareness about choosing natural, handmade Holi colours made from natural and biodegradable ingredients is happening in India and around the world.
With increasing demand, there has been a rise in number of genuine homegrown brands like Scrapshala making natural Holi Gulaal colours in India in last 3-4 years.
Celebrating Holi sustainably is about enjoying the festival while caring for our health and the environment both.
Our expert team of artisans since last five years has been handcrafting Holi colour powder (Gulaal) from 100% natural ingredients such as edible arrowroot powder, flower and vegetable stains and pure essential oil for fragrance. Completely handmade, finely filtered, scented with natural fragrances, these colour powders are perfectly soft, skin-friendly and a joy to play with family and friends.
Naturally stained Holi colour powders are usually lighter in shade as compared to synthetic colours available in market and that at time hinders consumers from choosing them. These natural sources of dyes contain pigments in their purest form, but their concentration is often lower than that of synthetic dyes, which are chemically enhanced for brightness.
At Scrapshala, we ensure to dye the colour powder multiple times in natural flower and vegetable stains, to ensure the deepest shade of colour possible.
Instead of using water balloons or excessive coloured water, consider playing a dry Holi with herbal powders or flower petals.
Why choose Natural Holi colours?
Let’s know why choosing natural colours this Holi is a meaningful step toward a greener, more sustainable celebration.
- Natural & chemical free
- Good for skin
- Less hair damage
- Safe for children
- Safe for animals and soil
- Biodegradable and non-toxic
- Reduces wastage of water
This year, you may check natural Holi colours and Holi gift packs, packaged in a plastic-free and compostable packaging, for your loved ones for a safe and sustainable celebration, ensuring both a joyful Holi and a healthier environment.
Let’s make Holi 2025 a safe and pollution-free festival!
Avoid buying synthetic colours packaged in single-use plastic by choosing sustainable brands or locally made products sold in open. Educate your children about plastic pollution added in a span of few hours due to usage cheap plastic water-guns and face masks, manufactured and sold in market during Holi.
A sustainable Holi is not only a celebration of joy but also a step toward protecting the environment. By using natural, biodegradable colours instead of synthetic ones, we prevent harmful chemicals from seeping into the soil and water systems, which helps safeguard aquatic life and maintain soil fertility. Reducing or eliminating water usage saves precious resources, especially in water-scarce areas. Avoiding plastic balloons and decorations reduces non-biodegradable single-use waste, which otherwise pollutes the land and takes decades to decompose.
A sustainable Holi also promotes eco-friendly practices like composting natural waste generated during festival (such as flowers, recycled paper packaging and waste food) and reusing materials, ensuring that the festival’s joy doesn’t come at the cost of the planet’s health.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8994014/
