Go green this Holi with colours from natural flowers, processed in eco-friendly ways. The colours are made by Craftizen foundation, an NGO founded by Mayura Balasubramanian. “Our goal is to impart skills and provide livelihoods to the socially and economically weaker sections through crafts under the umbrella of Craftizen’s programmes.”
“We wanted to use discarded materials to make a positive environmental impact. We work with differently-abled persons as well as unskilled women who recycle flowers collected from temples and wedding halls, silk thread from factories, fabric leftovers from tailoring units, flex banners from events, newspapers and magazines. All of these are converted into a variety of unique products including Holi colours, rangoli powder, jewellery, accessories, DIY kits, eco-pens and bags.”
Craftizen conducts training programmes in a diverse range of skills including banjara and aari embroidery, tailoring, fabric painting; hand block and screen printing, kantha stitch, jewellery from bena grass, natural seeds and beads, leather craft and Etikopakka toys from Andhra Pradesh, Bastar iron and bell metal work from Chhattisgarh, Cherial paintings and masks from Telangana, Chennapatna toys from Karnataka, and wooden toys from Benaras.
As the Holi colours are popular, a separate brand name, Petalists, was created. Flowers collected from temples are segregated as per colour, de-petaled and dried. The petals are then powdered in pulverisers operated by the staff and mixed with arrowroot powder and flour to help retain the shades.
“We use mainly rose (red, pink and white), marigold (yellow and orange), chrysanthemums (white, yellow, lavender) as well as leaves and tulsi (green) to make the colours,” says Mayura, adding that this year the colours will help over 100 persons. “Our partner organisations includes NIMHANS, Grameena Abhyudaya Seva Samste (GASS), Orione Seva, Richmond Fellowship Society and Seva-in-Action.”
Talking numbers, Mayura says, “We will be recycling over 5,000 kgs of discarded flowers to make 1,200 kg colours in 2019, thrice the quantity we produced last year.”
Speaking of the challenges Mayura says, “We work primarily with marginalised groups where our centres provide income generating opportunities that they would otherwise not have access to. Our beneficiary groups are motivated and committed, working on holidays if need be.”
Commenting on the huge potential that they tap in villages, she says “Every human being has infinite potential, but society often tends to judge them based on ability, economic background and location. At Craftizen, we provide an environment for self-belief, respect and empowerment.”
Craftizen through its multiple marketing channels received positive feedback. “With our Holi colours campaign this year we have launched our online store www.craftizen.org/shop (96060 71227).”
(Profiling initiatives that work to enrich life in the city)