Holi 2023: Special Holi of Jaipur, Gulal Gota is used instead of artificial colors, 400 years old tradition

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The traditional ‘Gulal Gota’ is again making its place in the market with the increasing demand from different parts of the country for the celebration of Holi, despite cheap artificial colors and high availability of Gulal in the market. Small round shaped balls of lac filled with natural colors are known as ‘Gulal Gota’. These are traditionally manufactured in Jaipur. Some Muslim families have been engaged in this work for generations. Jaipur is famous for playing Holi with these unique lac balls full of colours.

This tradition is 400 years old when the members of the then royal family used to play Holi with Gulal Gota. Artisans and manufacturers of Gulal Gota say that 4-5 years ago there was a decline in the demand for Gulal Gota and there were few takers for Gulal Gota in the market due to the abundance of comparatively cheap artificial colors but now from last few years , there has been a spurt in demand.

These balls are made from lac material. Molded into shapes like small colored lac balls, which are very thin and hollow. Lac balls are filled with natural colour/gulal. From a distance one can even mistake them for sweets. Unlike water balloons and pichkaris, Gulal Gota does not cause injury when thrown at passers-by. Gulal beads also spread their color in temples across India, especially in Jaipur’s Govind Devji Temple and Mathura and Vrindavan.

Artisan making Gulal, Awaz Mohammad said, “Most of our current generation enjoys Holi with synthetic (artificial) Gulal, water balloons and pichkari, very few people know that beautiful Gulal Gota is also used in Holi is done. However, now the younger generation is also getting attracted towards it.

Mohammad told that his children have also learned the art of making beautiful lacquer balls in the last decades. Due to increase in demand and more orders for Gulal Gota on the occasion of festival, they start making Gulal Gota about two months before the festival of Holi. He told, “The best thing about Gulal Gota is that they are so thin and delicate that they can be easily broken by hand.

Gulal gotas are still the most loved by the erstwhile royal families and are a part of their Holi celebrations.” Awaz Mohammed is spreading the art of making gulal gotas through Rajasthan Studio, an organization that specializes in the art of making gulal gotas. Giving lovers a platform to create personalized art souvenirs with artists.

Gulal gota making is one of the arts that the organization is promoting. Karthik Ghaggar, CEO of Rajasthan Studio, told PTI, “Gulal gota is a beautiful Indian craft and tradition that is gaining popularity across the world. To delve deeper into Indian art forms, considering their love for this art form, we associated with artists in Rajasthan and created a platform to bridge the interest of art lovers and the passion of master artisans,” says Maniharon, another artisan. Parvez Mohammad, a resident of Rasta, told that the demand for Gulal Gota is coming from other cities as well.

He said, “Apart from individual groups and temples, Gulal Gota is now being widely used in events and parties as well. This is also one of the reasons behind the increase in demand.” He said, “There was a time when the demand for Gulal Gote had reduced considerably and we were worried. Now the situation is better due to increase in demand and orders not only from Jaipur but also from other parts of the country. “Mommad said,” It is mainly because of its uniqueness that people like it. It is eco-friendly, does not harm anyone and does not have any side effects like synthetic colours.”

He told that 6 pieces of standard size are available in Gulal Gota market for Rs.150. According to old legends, members of the royal family in Jaipur used to roam around in their kingdoms and used to throw gulal gota on the passers-by. The work of making Gulal Gota is going on in the city for more than 300 years.

Prakash Verma, a retailer selling colors in Jaipur, said that compared to synthetic colors, Gulal Gota is a bit expensive and usually people prefer cheap colors, but last year a large number of Gulal Gota were sold. He said, “This year also he is expecting good sales of Gulal Gota. It is a unique thing and young generation likes it more.

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