For the past five years, Suryakant Gaonkar of Bhuipal Sattari, has been making organic homemade colours for Holi. He talks about what motivated to try this out, the demand and why going natural is the best
The festival of Holi is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety with a showering of colours all around. However owing to the presence of chemicals in the colours available in the market, there have been cases of health issues in the past. As a way of combating this and allowing everyone to enjoy the fun that this festival heralds (which will be held on March 2 this year), Suryakant Gaonkar has been making organic colours which are safe to play with.
“The colours that have chemicals as ingredients may cause skin disorders, allergies and asthma. It is specifically for these few who are allergic to the colours available in the market and those who prefer to play safe that I have made these natural colours,” says Suryakant.
A lover of organic and healthy products, Suryakant , who is a Patanjali Yoga Samiti trainer Suryakant was inspired to make these colours by Prof Rajendra Kerkar five years ago. Since then he has been manufacturing seven types of pure natural colours without any chemicals at his home in Gaonkarwada, Bhuipal Sattari. These homemade natural colours are available for Rs 200 per kg.
Beginning with only 10 kilos, Suryakant gradually increased the quantity of his colours and this year he has readied more than 50 kilos of colour. While he prepared 14 types of colours last year, observing the demand, he has made only seven shades of the rainbow this year.
Suryakant uses flowers, fruits, leaves and seeds to make these colours. “The green, leafy vegetables, chudamani, kesar, beetroot, hibiscus, roses, pudina, gulmohar, neem etc cannot be dried in the sun as the produce become black. Also, they can’t be dried in the open at night because of dew. So drying them carefully is of utmost importance,” he mentions.
Suryakant makes colours according to the demand of his clients. “People like dark and thick colours. I am trying to make them thick,” he shares. Apart from red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and pink, he has mixed orange and pink to make a different colour this year.
Suryakant who began his work of making colours in December 2017, is assisted by Nisargmitra Saunstha of Kolhapur and Vivekanand Paryavaran Jagruti Fauz of Keri who guide him from time to time. These organisations help him to wander in the forests and get the required fruits, flowers and leaves. History researcher Sachin Madge, also guides him in the process.
“I love environment. Hence I am devoting my time to doing some service to preserve it,” admits Suryakant who works in a private company at Pissurlem. Suryakant has also opened up opportunities for youth entrepreneurs who are willing to work from home. This work of making colours usually extends up to two to three months and those who help out are offered remuneration.
