A celebration of natural hues of spring in Goa

Samrudhdi Kerkar

SPRING OF COLOURS

As spring arrives in Goa, nature bursts into vibrant hues, setting the stage for a grand celebration. These natural shades can beautifully replace chemical colours in art and our festivals.

Spring in Goa | Nature Colours | Eco-friendly art | Chemical-free festivals | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

NATURE'S DYE

The Aparajita or butterfly pea flower yields a mesmerising dye, perfect for making blue tea (caffeine-free herbal tea), juice, and natural food colouring.

Aparajita magic | Butterfly pea power | Blue tea | Natural dye | Herbal brew | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

FLAME OF THE FOREST

The fiery orange-red blooms of the Palash tree (Butea monosperma) shine like forest flames. They are used as natural dyes and also for its medicinal and edible benefits.

Palash power | Forest flames | Natural dye | Medicinal flowers | Edible benefits | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

ORANGE TREASURE

The pods of Bixa orellana, locally known as Keshari, produce a deep orange pigment, which is also ideal for adding colour to food and drinks.

Keshari power | Bixa orellana | Natural pigment | Orange magic | Food colouring | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

BOUGAINVILLEA BLUSH

The delicate pink and maroon hues of Bougainvillea flowers can naturally enhance the colour of drinks like lemonade.

Bougainvillea beauty | Natural drink colours | Floral lemonade | Pink and maroon | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

EARTH'S TIMELESS HUE

Goa’s rich red laterite soil (kaav/geru) has long been used in traditional wall plastering and the intricate Kaavi art.

Goa red soil | Kaavi art | Geru plaster | Traditional Goa | Red Earth heritage | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

GREEN SPECTRUM

The range of green hues in leaves, from deep emerald to bright lime, can be extracted for use as natural dyes.

Leaf dyes | Natural dyes Green hues | Eco-friendly colours | Vibrant greens | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

SUSTAINABLE SHADES

Turmeric creates a warm yellow, charcoal delivers a bold black, and sandalwood gives a gentle cream tone, all with skin-nourishing properties.

Turmeric glow | Charcoal beauty | Natural dyes | Glow naturally | Nourishing colours | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

MAROON MAGIC

The tender leaves of the sagwan (teak) tree, when crushed, release a rich maroon-red pigment with a soothing mehendi-like aroma.

Sagwan tree | Teak leaves | Natural pigment | Maroon red | Herbal aroma | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

GREEN REVIVAL

Inspired by nature’s hues, Dhulvad (Rangpanchami) was once celebrated with natural dyes. Suryakant Gaonkar from Bhuipal-Sattari is reviving this tradition with eco-friendly colours in Goa.

Dhulvad | Eco-friendly colours | Rangpanchami | Nature hues | Goan tradition | Sustainable celebrations | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

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