Holi is nearly right here, prepared to color the nation with its beautiful hues. The exuberant competition brings many delights with it just like the scrumptious meals, drinks and traditions – and an underlying fear in regards to the high quality and influence of the colors used to have a good time the competition as properly. 

These artificial colors pose hurt not solely to your pores and skin and physique but additionally to the atmosphere. The chemical substances used to arrange them can seep into the bottom, pollute water sources, and contribute to air air pollution.

To sort out this drawback, two brothers from Mumbai, who’ve devoted over a decade to pure conservation, got here up with an answer. Gaurang and Saurabh Motta began ‘Abeer Holi Colors’, a model below ‘Monks Bouffe’, an natural meals and farming model which sells the whole lot from organically grown rice, maize, pure Holi colors, amongst others.

These colors, crafted by the Bhil tribe utilizing flowers and no different components, usually are not solely pure but additionally edible!

“Sure, you possibly can eat them,” Gaurang emphasised after I, perplexed by their declare, questioned them once more. “The colors usually are not solely edible but additionally protected for the atmosphere, pores and skin, and animals. We needed to protect the tribe’s dying artwork by giving it a platform,” he defined to The Higher India.

‘The turning level’

Gaurang and Saurabh had flourishing careers within the finance and the IT sector, respectively. “We had all the time been very environmentally aware,” Gaurang states.

Nevertheless, this consciousness developed right into a want to take macro-level actions when the duo started volunteering at a Mumbai-based NGO.

“We met the founding father of the NGO, Julius, who left us impressed by the work he was doing, and shortly we turned associates. He was concerned in conservation efforts of the tribal elements of Maharashtra,” Gaurang recollects.

“As we visited rural areas to fulfill the tribals striving to develop into extra eco-conscious and even transition to natural farming, we found they confronted challenges with the availability chain and reaching the correct customers,” he provides.

This realisation sparked an concept within the brothers. They determined to transition to this sector and help the tribal communities.

“We thought we’d have our personal farm however determined towards it as we felt that the group wanted our assist extra,” he says.

Whereas the brothers had been very positive of their concept, their family and friends had been a bit of sceptical. “This was one thing which was not the plan of our household for us. It turned very troublesome for them to know the necessity for such a shift. Moreover, again once we began in 2016, the concept of natural farming, the conservation of native bushes was not very fashionable,” he says.

“However we had an urge to go for it anyway. In 2016, we determined to start out ‘Monk Bouffe’ with the intention of bringing tribal produce to the correct consumers, and have by no means seemed again,” he provides.

Pure, natural and edible Holi colors

Throughout certainly one of their conservation efforts throughout the tribal areas in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh, the duo encountered folks from the Bhil group.

“This group, based mostly on the outskirts of Udaipur, Rajasthan, consists of a small variety of members. Amongst different abilities, they possess an unbelievable expertise for handcrafting pure colors,” Gaurang explains.

Sadly, the group’s ability was dwindling because of the prevalence of artificial colors within the markets.

“Not a lot consideration was paid to the group anyway, however what actually saddened us was witnessing the dying artwork with out recognition. The group used handpicked flowers to create pure colors devoid of adulterants, a follow handed down by generations. It was crucial for us to assist protect it. The youthful era of the tribe confirmed little curiosity in studying the artwork because it didn’t present financial positive aspects,” he elaborates.

Decided to salvage the artwork, the brothers initiated an annual mission of producing Holi colors with the tribe and promoting them.

“The idea of pure colors was gaining traction on the time. We first launched the Holi colors in 2018 and have been receiving extra orders ever since,” Gaurang notes.

Explaining the colour-making course of, Gaurang provides, “The colors are fully pure and comprised of edible supplies. The bottom is maize flour cultivated by the group itself. The orange color is derived from the Palash flower, plentiful within the space throughout March and April. Our yellow hue combines Palash flowers with a contact of turmeric.”

Inexperienced hues are concocted from a mix of varied forest leaves. “Lastly, we’ve got a pink shade crafted utilizing Ganganagri Rose together with a touch of dried beetroot, which boosts the vibrancy,” he provides.

The flowers are first picked, sorted and cleaned. The elements are boiled for 14-Quarter-hour after which they’re sieved to segregate the residue. As soon as that is accomplished, the combination is dried after which hand-pounded. That is then added to the natural maize flour to make pure colors. 

The corporate primarily serves clients in Maharashtra with just a few others from completely different elements of the nation, together with quite a few wholesale companions who promote these merchandise as properly. “We retail by our web site and Amazon,” Gaurang mentions.

This 12 months, the corporate has already offered over 40 tonnes of colors!

Jatin Desai, a repeat buyer, attests, “That is my second 12 months buying the product. The colors are skin-friendly and breathable, leaving no long-lasting pores and skin discolouration. They are often simply washed off on the identical day, with solely minimal residual tint.”

Whereas the corporate’s shopper base continues to broaden, Gaurang emphasises that the group stays their prime precedence. “Our major goal has all the time been to prioritise the group and their wants. This artwork has been part of our nation for generations, and it should be preserved. Why resort to chemical and artificial options when we’ve got completely pure and conventional merchandise accessible?” he asserts.

You should purchase your packs of natural color right here.

(Edited by Padmashree Pande; All Photos Credit score: Monks Bouffe)