Gulal: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Face color mostly used in Holi celebration in India}} |
{{Short description|Face color mostly used in Holi celebration in India}} |
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{{Redirect|Abir}} |
{{Redirect|Abir}} |
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{{Redirect|Gulaal|the film|Gulaal (film)}} |
{{Redirect|Gulaal|the film|Gulaal (film)}} |
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{{more citations needed|date=October 2016}} |
{{more citations needed|date=October 2016}} |
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{{Infobox product |
{{Infobox product |
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'''Gulal''' or '''abir''' |
'''Gulal''' or '''abir''' <ref name="Pioneer">{{cite web | last=Pioneer | first=The | title=Dola Utsav is the swing fest for Puri Lords | website=The Pioneer | url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/state-editions/dola-utsav-is-the-swing-fest-for-puri-lords.html | access-date=2021-02-14}}</ref> is the traditional name given to the coloured powders used for some [[Hindu]] rituals, in particular for the [[Holi festival]] or [[Dol Purnima]] (though commonly associated with the red colour used in the festival). During Holi, which celebrates love and equality, people throw these powder solutions at each other while singing and dancing. |
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[[File:Little girl playing Holi with gulaal.jpg|thumb|Little girl playing Holi with gulaal]] |
[[File:Little girl playing Holi with gulaal.jpg|thumb|upright|Little girl playing Holi with gulaal]] |
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==Legend== |
==Legend== |
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[[File:Krishna N Radha.jpg|thumb|Krishna and Radha]] |
[[File:Krishna N Radha.jpg|thumb|Krishna and Radha]] |
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According to Hindu mythology, Radha was extremely fair and Lord Krishna had a dark complexion. Because of their different skin tones, Krishna often worried about whether Radha would accept him and complained to his mother Yashoda. Yashoda once jokingly suggested that Krishna paint Radha's face a different colour to hide any differences. Krishna did as his mother advised and used gulal to smear Radha's face. And that's how the celebration of Holi began. |
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A legend narrates that Lord [[Krishna]] complained to his mother about the darkness of his skin compared to that of his consort [[Radha]]. As a result, Krishna's mother smeared colours on Radha's face. This explains why today Holi is celebrated by throwing colours on people.<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/4497062 Ayygari, S., “Audio recording review”], in University of Texas Press, Summer - Autumn, 2007</ref> |
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==Composition== |
==Composition== |
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The new industrial dyes have been manufactured through chemical processes with non-standard parameters and hence the resulting colours are sometimes toxic for face and skin, causing problems such as eye irritation, allergies, skin infection and asthma.<ref name="Natural dye-based Herbal Gulal">[http://14.139.47.15/handle/123456789/12322 Kapoor, V.P. and Pushpangadan, P., "Natural dye-based Herbal Gulal"], in ''Natural Product Radiance'', 2002 pp. 8-14,</ref> Unsafe products have often been sold on the road by small traders, in boxes with labels saying "for industrial use only". |
The new industrial dyes have been manufactured through chemical processes with non-standard parameters and hence the resulting colours are sometimes toxic for face and skin, causing problems such as eye irritation, allergies, skin infection and asthma.<ref name="Natural dye-based Herbal Gulal">[http://14.139.47.15/handle/123456789/12322 Kapoor, V.P. and Pushpangadan, P., "Natural dye-based Herbal Gulal"], in ''Natural Product Radiance'', 2002 pp. 8-14,</ref> Unsafe products have often been sold on the road by small traders, in boxes with labels saying "for industrial use only". |
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Chemicals in Holi colours can lead to many harmful effects on health like skin issues, eye and respiratory problems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-18 |title=Holi 2024: Harmful effects of chemical Holi colours on your health, tips for a safe celebration |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/holi-2024-harmful-effects-of-chemical-holi-colours-on-your-health-101710775539023.html |access-date= |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> |
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===Recent production from natural sources=== |
===Recent production from natural sources=== |
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[[File:Indigofera tinctoria1.jpg|thumb|Indigofera tinctoria|alt=Indigofera tinctoria.jpg]] |
[[File:Indigofera tinctoria1.jpg|thumb|Indigofera tinctoria|alt=Indigofera tinctoria.jpg]] |
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Recently, the various harmful effects and concerns for the environment (synthetic powders caused temporary wastewater pollution, too) generated awareness and encouraged people to celebrate an eco-friendly Holi. For the preparation of |
Recently, the various harmful effects and concerns for the environment (synthetic powders caused temporary wastewater pollution, too) generated awareness and encouraged people to celebrate an eco-friendly Holi. For the preparation of herbal gulal, a variety of safe dyes can be used, such as [[turmeric]] (''Curcuma longa''), [[Indigo dye|indigo]] (''[[Indigofera]]'') or [[annatto]] (''[[Bixa orellana]]''), which are all ingredients easily available on the market at moderate prices. |
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In the new natural processes to make |
In the new natural processes to make herbal gulal, no salts of any heavy metal are used and the combination of ingredients provides a powder having a soft and supple touch with good ability to stick to skin. The production of dry colour composition is eco-friendly as no toxic ingredients are released during the preparation. In this way, it has been possible to replace synthetic colours with natural ones.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} |
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==Uses== |
==Uses== |
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===Religious and cultural uses=== |
===Religious and cultural uses=== |
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Gulal powder has always had an important role in [[Hindu]] culture and has always been used for religious purposes. |
Gulal powder has always had an important role in [[Hindu]] culture and has always been used for religious purposes. |
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Besides [[Holi festival]], the use of coloured powders appears in other ceremonies, such as funerals. In this case, in some populations, a particular ritual occurs when the deceased is a married man. The widow puts on all the ornaments she possesses and takes leave of her husband adorning him with all her jewels. Holding a small brass plate with colored powders, she lets the men participating in the ceremony paint the face of the deceased. This ritual is associated with the one of marriage, in which the bridegroom and the bride anoint themselves with coloured powders for four days before the wedding. This ointment, indeed, is meant to prepare their bodies for conjugal life.<ref> |
Besides [[Holi festival]], the use of coloured powders appears in other ceremonies, such as funerals. In this case, in some populations, a particular ritual occurs when the deceased is a married man. The widow puts on all the ornaments she possesses and takes leave of her husband adorning him with all her jewels. Holding a small brass plate with colored powders, she lets the men participating in the ceremony paint the face of the deceased. This ritual is associated with the one of marriage, in which the bridegroom and the bride anoint themselves with coloured powders for four days before the wedding. This ointment, indeed, is meant to prepare their bodies for conjugal life.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3316180 | jstor=3316180 | title=The Funeral Rites of the Nimar Balahis | last1=Fuchs | first1=Stephen | journal=Primitive Man | date=1940 | volume=13 | issue=3/4 | pages=49–79 | doi=10.2307/3316180 }}</ref> Beyond the religious sphere, the consumption of gulal powder is spread for different uses. |
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===Scientific uses=== |
===Scientific uses=== |
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One |
One use of this powder has been developed in the field of latent [[fingerprint]]s. A study by [[Punjabi University]] of Patiala shows that the application of gulal or food colours to latent fingerprints can give clear results. During this study, a few grams of dry colours were taken and sprinkled over different surfaces, such as normal paper, on top of CDs, over aluminium foil and aluminium sheets. It was concluded that commonly and easily available agents are a useful substitute for the decipherment of latent prints.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kumari |first1=Harish |last2=Kaur |first2=Ramanjit |last3=Garg |first3=Rakesh K. |date=2011 |title=New visualizing agents for latent fingerprints: Synthetic food and festival colors |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2090536X11000372 |journal=Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences |language=en |volume=1 |issue=3–4 |pages=133–139 |doi=10.1016/j.ejfs.2011.07.006|doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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==Curiosities== |
==Curiosities== |
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Indian manufacturers of Holi colours are facing huge losses as Chinese alternatives capture more of the market. A survey reported that Chinese products are more innovative and cheaper by up to 55%, comparing to powders manufactured locally in regions like [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Gujarat]]. The introduction of these Chinese products, despite the central government effort to promote "Made in India", is making survival difficult for small manufacturers, most of whom have been engaged in the business for decades.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/No-takers-for-local-gulal-as-Chinese-products-flood-market/articleshow/51514737.cms/ "This Holi, no takers for local gulal as Chinese products flood market"], in The Times of India, 2016</ref> |
Indian manufacturers of Holi colours are facing huge losses as Chinese alternatives capture more of the market. A survey reported that Chinese products are more innovative and cheaper by up to 55%, comparing to powders manufactured locally in regions like [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Gujarat]]. The introduction of these Chinese products, despite the central government effort to promote "Made in India", is making survival difficult for small manufacturers, most of whom have been engaged in the business for decades.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/No-takers-for-local-gulal-as-Chinese-products-flood-market/articleshow/51514737.cms/ "This Holi, no takers for local gulal as Chinese products flood market"], in The Times of India, 2016</ref> |
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Coldplay's video "Hymn for the Weekend" was filmed in [[Mumbai]] during the Holi festival, using |
Coldplay's video "Hymn for the Weekend" was filmed in [[Mumbai]] during the Holi festival, using gulal powder as a central feature. |
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The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0gryiltJo0&ab_channel=StevenWilsonVEVO video] for [[Steven Wilson]]'s "[[To the Bone (Steven Wilson album)|Permanating]]" features a troupe of [[Bollywood]] dancers who scatter Gulal powders during the final minute of the song. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Latest revision as of 08:52, 10 June 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2016) |
 Colours for Holi on sale at a market | |
| Type | Coloured powder |
|---|---|
Gulal or abir [1] is the traditional name given to the coloured powders used for some Hindu rituals, in particular for the Holi festival or Dol Purnima (though commonly associated with the red colour used in the festival). During Holi, which celebrates love and equality, people throw these powder solutions at each other while singing and dancing.
Legend
[edit]
According to Hindu mythology, Radha was extremely fair and Lord Krishna had a dark complexion. Because of their different skin tones, Krishna often worried about whether Radha would accept him and complained to his mother Yashoda. Yashoda once jokingly suggested that Krishna paint Radha's face a different colour to hide any differences. Krishna did as his mother advised and used gulal to smear Radha's face. And that's how the celebration of Holi began.
Composition
[edit]From natural to chemical
[edit]In earlier times, Gulal powders were prepared from flowers coming from trees, such as the Indian coral tree and the flame of the forest, that had medicinal properties, beneficial to the skin. After the advent of synthetic dyes in the middle of 19th century, the disappearance of trees in urban areas and the pursuit of higher profits led to the abandonment of natural colours.[2]
The new industrial dyes have been manufactured through chemical processes with non-standard parameters and hence the resulting colours are sometimes toxic for face and skin, causing problems such as eye irritation, allergies, skin infection and asthma.[3] Unsafe products have often been sold on the road by small traders, in boxes with labels saying "for industrial use only".
Chemicals in Holi colours can lead to many harmful effects on health like skin issues, eye and respiratory problems.[4]
Recent production from natural sources
[edit]
Recently, the various harmful effects and concerns for the environment (synthetic powders caused temporary wastewater pollution, too) generated awareness and encouraged people to celebrate an eco-friendly Holi. For the preparation of herbal gulal, a variety of safe dyes can be used, such as turmeric (Curcuma longa), indigo (Indigofera) or annatto (Bixa orellana), which are all ingredients easily available on the market at moderate prices.
In the new natural processes to make herbal gulal, no salts of any heavy metal are used and the combination of ingredients provides a powder having a soft and supple touch with good ability to stick to skin. The production of dry colour composition is eco-friendly as no toxic ingredients are released during the preparation. In this way, it has been possible to replace synthetic colours with natural ones.[citation needed]
Uses
[edit]Religious and cultural uses
[edit]Gulal powder has always had an important role in Hindu culture and has always been used for religious purposes. Besides Holi festival, the use of coloured powders appears in other ceremonies, such as funerals. In this case, in some populations, a particular ritual occurs when the deceased is a married man. The widow puts on all the ornaments she possesses and takes leave of her husband adorning him with all her jewels. Holding a small brass plate with colored powders, she lets the men participating in the ceremony paint the face of the deceased. This ritual is associated with the one of marriage, in which the bridegroom and the bride anoint themselves with coloured powders for four days before the wedding. This ointment, indeed, is meant to prepare their bodies for conjugal life.[5] Beyond the religious sphere, the consumption of gulal powder is spread for different uses.
Scientific uses
[edit]One use of this powder has been developed in the field of latent fingerprints. A study by Punjabi University of Patiala shows that the application of gulal or food colours to latent fingerprints can give clear results. During this study, a few grams of dry colours were taken and sprinkled over different surfaces, such as normal paper, on top of CDs, over aluminium foil and aluminium sheets. It was concluded that commonly and easily available agents are a useful substitute for the decipherment of latent prints.[6]
Curiosities
[edit]Indian manufacturers of Holi colours are facing huge losses as Chinese alternatives capture more of the market. A survey reported that Chinese products are more innovative and cheaper by up to 55%, comparing to powders manufactured locally in regions like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The introduction of these Chinese products, despite the central government effort to promote "Made in India", is making survival difficult for small manufacturers, most of whom have been engaged in the business for decades.[7]
Coldplay's video "Hymn for the Weekend" was filmed in Mumbai during the Holi festival, using gulal powder as a central feature.
The video for Steven Wilson's "Permanating" features a troupe of Bollywood dancers who scatter Gulal powders during the final minute of the song.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Pioneer, The. "Dola Utsav is the swing fest for Puri Lords". The Pioneer. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
- ^ Ganesh Mulwad, "Holi Mumbai 2020: Know How Mumbaikars Reveal Their Happy Colors!", in World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 3, Issue 9, 2014
- ^ Kapoor, V.P. and Pushpangadan, P., "Natural dye-based Herbal Gulal", in Natural Product Radiance, 2002 pp. 8-14,
- ^ "Holi 2024: Harmful effects of chemical Holi colours on your health, tips for a safe celebration". Hindustan Times. 2024-03-18.
- ^ Fuchs, Stephen (1940). "The Funeral Rites of the Nimar Balahis". Primitive Man. 13 (3/4): 49–79. doi:10.2307/3316180. JSTOR 3316180.
- ^ Kumari, Harish; Kaur, Ramanjit; Garg, Rakesh K. (2011). "New visualizing agents for latent fingerprints: Synthetic food and festival colors". Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 1 (3–4): 133–139. doi:10.1016/j.ejfs.2011.07.006.
- ^ "This Holi, no takers for local gulal as Chinese products flood market", in The Times of India, 2016