Herbal hues bring Holi back to roots

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The city is witnessing a shift towards eco-friendly Holi celebrations, thanks to a local entrepreneur’s initiative. One of them is Imran Shaikh, a 28-year-old businessman, has taken the lead in promoting 100% herbal homemade colours, offering a safer alternative to chemical-based powders. His effort has sparked interest among residents, driving demand for organic colours and encouraging a sustainable approach to the festival.

For the past severals years, Imran has been producing natural colours using organic ingredients like spinach, coriander, hibiscus flowers and neem powder. This year, he expanded production, crafting over six quintals of herbal colours two quintals at home and the rest on his farm. His stall in Gulmandi, one of the busiest marketplaces, has drawn significant attention with customers opting for his organic alternatives over synthetic colours.

A business rooted in sustainability

“I am not a big businessman, but this time, I made colours at home and supplied them to retailers at a lower cost,” Imran says. “Since they are 100% herbal homemade, shopkeepers didn’t hesitate to buy them.” He sells the colours at Rs. 30 per 50 grams, keeping the production cost at Rs. 20 per 50 grams to ensure affordability while maintaining quality. Last year, he sold 80 kg of herbal colours, but this year, demand surged, and he distributed over five quintals to retailers and vendors across the city. Imran believes this shift is not just about business but about fostering a self-reliant and sustainable city. “Earlier, we depended on artificial colours from outside, but making them locally benefits our vendors and keeps money within the city,” he explains.

Challenges and future prospects

Despite growing demand, challenges persist. “Identifying genuine natural colours is tricky they change under heat or acidity, just like how red cabbage turns blue in baking soda. Their shorter shelf life makes quick sales essential,” Imran points out. However, positive customer feedback and rising awareness have strengthened his determination to expand operations in the coming years. With the city embracing his initiative, Imran’s story is a testament to local entrepreneurship driving sustainability. “Let’s play Holi with natural colours and make it eco-friendly,” he urges, inspiring others to adopt greener traditions.

(Photo - 1)Stall of Imran Shaikh

2)Imrans colours found other stall.