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Can we live without colours? Certainly not! Then what do we do? The most logical solution will be to revive and nourish natural dyes. But a lot of groundwork needs to be done.

Dwindling supply
For business to flourish there must be a steady flow of raw material. The Bhotiyas in Kumaon — who once produced dyed woollen clothes, not only for the local con-sumers but also for Tibetan mar-kets — have stopped making dyes because the surrounding forest cover has disappeared. And the local flora is the key ingredient of their trade. Also, the forest department has set strict regula-tions that prohibit access to forest resources.

The solution is obvious—large scale cultivation of plants and herbs that make colour. But the  commu-nities who use the produce for their work, must be the ones to drive this. If they are assured that this will fetch them returns, they will defi-nitely make a success of this revival campaign…

Whither water?
Supply of water is vital. As Phaniraj, an Ilkal dyer laments, "Water of the local Hirehalla nala added that special sheen to our blue." Today the stream is dry because the river has been dammed upstream at Balkundi. Is the government listening?

Picking up the threads
The younger Chippa craftsmen do not know how to extract red colour from manjistha. They never picked up the art from their par-ents because they had already been introduced to alizarin. The link has been broken in every other dye-making community. It has to be restored — by encouraging the artisans to relearn the forgotten technique. How? Not only by telling them how good natural colours, but also by offering them incentives that make business sense. After all this is how they earn their living!

Making money — how?
The synthetic dyes rule the roost now — because they are cheaper. The production cost of natural dyes are so high, and the process so painstaking that the manufacturers are forced to push up the prices. Result? They only cater to a niche market, with barely any scope for expansion.

This will have to change. How? By making the technology of producing natural dyes simpler and less expensive.

More research
Ancient wisdom must be com-bined with modern science to make sound business sense. Scientists must now rack their brains to find answers to ques-tions such as these — Can improved indigo seeds ensure better and faster yield? How can the natural hues get that extra shine? Can they last longer? Simple issues really..but if taken care of, they can solve a HUGE problem...

WHAT can you do? You are a conscious and con-cerned Indian citizen. Right? Your role in this Operation Revive Natural Dyes is critical. Think and adopt natural You are a consumer, and you can make a huge difference by opting for natural dyes over synthetic ones. Use clothes and fabrics dyed with nat-ural colours. And encourage your family and friends to do so too. Spread the message. Dig up the root of the problem. You can begin in your own town or city. Are there facto-ries using dyes operating around where you stay? Find out how they dispose their coloured wastewater or effluents. How is it affecting your city? Then tell everyone about it. And this Holi make your own natural colours. Use mehendi for orange, haldi for yellow and beetroot for red. Let the good triumph over the not-so- good just like Narsimha avtar.