Ideas From 11^th March 2009 HOLI

Objectives: We did set some specific objectives –

1. All should have an experience of having been to a beauty parlor; skin should feel soft and smooth (rather than the usual dry and rough); there should be no need for scrubbing with chemicals to get the colour off. The colours should be vibrant (not dull), so everyone can see the colours and say ‘these are even better than the chemical colours’ à Use natural colours

2. Everyone should feel light and energetic (rather than heavy, lethargic and remorseful for having eaten heavy food, mithai and drinks). The people preparing the food should not be overburdened, should have the opportunity to participate (rather than being stuck in the kitchen) à Simple, light, tasty food

3. Everyone should feel involved and everyone should feel included à Family / Group activity even the day before

We used Natural colours: We had more than enough colours. People who brought chemical colours were requested not to use them – they readily agreed and most did not even take their colours home. They made a commitment to try natural colours in future

1. Bought from organic shops. Very few shops carry such colours but we did find them. They were more expensive than regular colours. There were 5 colours in one box, very well presented

2. Colours made at home. This was one fun family activity the day before. Some recipes were published in Dimdima

a. Beetroot juice, puree, concentrate – RED, CRIMSON

b. Besan – WHITE, LIGHT YELLOW

c. Besan with haldi – YELLOW

d. Atta with kumkum – PINK, RED

3. Useful investment was in a 5’ pool for water

We had simple food:

1. We minimized on sweets. For 50 people we got only 3 kg sweets

2. We maximized home-made food. Sharmila made pulao, raita and daal. Madhu got custard

3. We got samosas from EME Center wet canteen. They were great

Commitment and Involvement:

1. We had to take the day off, as it was not an official day off. Everyone we invited came

2. Most families brought something simple to share

Key points:

1. Someone had to take a decision, and initiative to communicate

2. The communication and collaboration can be better

Next year: We want to try

1. Making sweets at home, together

2. Making more elaborate colours with tessu, palak etc.

Natural Wet Colours:

The base is clean water.

Red = Beetroot juice

Blue = Neel (Indigo)

Natural Dry Colours:

The base can be

a) rice powder (it is light & sticky)

b) maida (it is slightly heavier and sticy)

c) atta

d) besan

Red = Beetroot Powder / Kumkum / Haldi + Lemon Juice + Alum + Beligara

Yellow = Haldi (same as uptan if base is besan)

Blue = Neel (Indigo)

Green = Mehndi (Henna) + Glyricidia + Nirgudi + Palak + Hibiscus + Tulsi + Neel

One shop we found is called Daram at SD Road, Begumpet (Tel 040 2776 5503). They sell Rang Dular colours from a company in Pune (ecoexist@gmail.com, www.e-coexist.com)