Natural colors

________________________________________________________________________________________

This article says about the natural colors used by men over the periods of time. Started from cave man to the great Ajanta cave painting and pursued throughout Mughal paintings and now tradition is alive in the form of traditional Miniature paintings. Natural colors were made out bark of tree, clay, minerals and many other herbs.

While reading about natural colors I realized that there is lots of articles has been written on Natural colors in relation of Paintings but there is a different aspect of natural colors belongs to traditional ceremonies and festival of India. This paper is focused on use of natural colors in various ceremonies followed by traditions in India. 

India has a very rich culture of using natural colors in many occasions. Natural color influences not only day to day life of a common man but also aesthetic values of art and craft. There is a saying that India has more than 17000 herbs that can be used as a color. Natural colors pursue a long history starting from cave man that started using colors and created his word imagination into shapes and color splashes. I am presenting a list of natural colors used on various festivals and ceremonies in Rajasthan. 

Geru (Indian red color) 

The Geru color is made of red stone (also known as Hirmich). Hirmich or Geru gives very similar shade of Indian red color. It is easy available in Indian market in form of grinded powder. Geru is very important ingredient for Indian miniature paintings as well, very same time Geru has a striking ritual value too. Rajasthan has a rich tradition of painting Mandanas on the wall and floor. Madana tradition is very unique and rare to find, one can find Mandana on auspicious occasion only. Wall Mandana can be seen in small villages of Rajasthan. There are number of Unique Mandanas for every Ritual. 

Khadiya (white) 

Khadiya is found in form of Stone in market. Khadiya is a soft stone can be grind easily. It produce milky while color. Khadiya has same value as Geru when it comes on Mandana. Ritual symbol of mandanas uses Geru and Khadiya as a key ingredient. Khadiya is key ingredient for Miniature painting of Rajasthan as well 

Haldi (Turmeric, yellow color) 

Curcuma Longa L, the botanical name for turmeric, has been known to man for more than 5000 years and is well known not only as a condiment, used widely in Indian cooking, but also as a healing agent , in beauty treatments, has medicinal properties and is used extensively in India. This humble yellow root finds its place in almost every Indian household and is a very strong contender for Grandma’s favorite kitchen remedy. The benefits of this wonder root has been revealing itself through the ages and is used extensively as an anti-inflammatory, anti depressant and anti- bacterial and is effective in treating a wide range of disease and ailments from Alzheimer’s to cancer. Haldi has used in Indian cooking from ancient times. Haldi gives a chrome yellow shade. Haldi symbolizes pureness of sprit and sacred areas of ceremonies. Because turmeric is associated with fertility and prosperity, it is used during the haldi ceremony at Hindu weddings. The powder is mixed with water to form a paste and family members apply it to the bride and groom’s face and body. It signifies the ritual purification of the new couple and serves as a blessing of fortune and prosperity. It is also intended to relax the bride and groom and dispel any nervousness. Before the wedding day, the turmeric is washed from the body. Traditionally turmeric was also used to dye the marriage cloth. 

Hindus all across India use turmeric on a daily basis. Women often apply it to their faces in the evening as an act of emulation for the Goddess Durga whose skin emits a yellow glow. Turmeric is also used to give yellow coloration to clothes as it is associated with the Lord Krishna who is depicted wearing yellow. In addition, certain special Ganesh idols are made entirely of turmeric and turmeric water is used as an offering to the Goddess Kali. 

Heena or Mehandi

Heena is a plants leaves also known as Mehandi, technical name of plant is Lawsonia inermis. Dried leaves of Heena plant are use to make power. Henna powder is easily available in Indian market on shops. Heena has been used in Marriages and other ceremonies extensively. 

It is a herb and commonly used as hair dye. Henna is one of the most beneficial herbs and can do wonders for your hair. It has cooling properties and when applied to the scalp can soothe and cleanse it. Here are some more benefits of henna. Henna is an excellent conditioner for your hair. It not only adds shine and volume to it, but also to provide coloring to your hairs. 

Heena gives green and brownish color shades, commonly used on colorful festival of holy. Dry heena colors are made with a combination of dry heena power and needed quantity of flour according to lovely shades required. 

Gulmohur 

The tree is known as Gulmohar which has most prominent red and orange colored leaves that displays the physical appearance and beauty of this tree. Dry and finely powder the leaves of Gulmohur (Delonix regia) tree produced a very attractive color powder, used in festival holi. 

Wheat plant 

Weat plant’s leaves are green and soft, crush the tender leaves of the Wheat plant to obtain a natural safe green used in festival of Holi. 

Sindoor or Kumkum Red turmeric 

Sindoor is obtaining from a root of red turmeric. When a girl or a married woman visits a house, it is a sign of respect (in case of an elderly lady) or blessings (in case of a young girl) to offer kumkuma to them when they leave. Turmeric itself produces yellow tint when dissolved in water, while dissolving little add of lime (alkaline in nature) will turn turmeric into reddish shade. This color is also used in miniature painting. 

Others 

Soak Amaltas (Cassia fistula) or Marigold / Gainda (Tagetus erecta) flowers in water. Boil it for hour and leave overnight. It will produce chrome yellow color. 

These color are easy available and has common domestic use but rarely used as color. In new generation people are more used to artificial color due to less hard work in preparation and easy availability in the market. One needs to realized the value of these traditions and fellow them in order to preserve intangible heritage of India.