Telangana Governor to Celebrate Eco-Friendly Holi with PJTSAU’s Plant-Based Colours
Table of Contents
Relevance: Paper II – History, Culture & Geography
For Prelims:
- PJTSAU, Natural Dye Processing & Incubation Centre, Plant-Based Holi Colours, Annatto Seeds, Marigold Extract, Indigo Leaves, Sappanwood Extract, Starch-Based Formulation, World Bank-Funded Project, Eco-Friendly Celebrations
For Mains:
- Sustainable Cultural Practices, Green Consumerism, Traditional Natural Dyeing, Agro-Based Value Addition, University-Led Innovation, Rural Entrepreneurship, Environmental-Friendly Alternatives, Skill Development through Incubation Centres, Sustainable Agriculture Linkages, Telangana-Specific Innovation Model
Why in News?
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma will celebrate Holi at Lok Bhavan using eco-friendly, plant-based colours developed by Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTSAU). The initiative highlights sustainable alternatives to synthetic festival products.
About the Initiative
PJTSAU has been commercially producing natural Holi colours since 2016, under the Natural Dye Processing and Incubation Centre at the College of Community Science.
The centre was established after research conducted between 2008 and 2013 under a World Bank-funded project.
Dr. Lakshmi Pooja, Assistant Professor in the Department of Apparel and Textiles, currently leads the unit.
Natural Colour Palette
Initially developed in 14 shades, the product line was streamlined to five traditional Holi colours based on consumer demand:
- Orange – Extracted from annatto seeds (also used as a food colourant)
- Yellow – Derived from fresh marigold flowers
- Blue – Produced from fermented indigo leaves
- Pink – Made from sappanwood extract
- Green – Prepared using indigo leaf powder
Production Process
- Base Material: Starch
- Natural plant extracts are mixed with the base
- Grinding and wet processing (where required)
- Drying, pulverising and sieving
- Completely plant-based formulation
The colours are free from synthetic chemicals and are designed to be skin-friendly and environmentally safe.
Broader Research and Innovation
The centre’s work extends beyond festival colours. Researchers have also developed:
- Naturally dyed textiles
- Water-based paints
- Eco-friendly Ganesh idol formulations
- Natural dyes for absorbent materials
Fourth-year students actively participate in production and marketing, providing hands-on training in sustainable entrepreneurship.
Significance
- Promotes eco-friendly alternatives to chemical-based Holi colours
- Supports traditional natural dye practices
- Encourages sustainable agriculture-linked enterprises
- Demonstrates university-led innovation with commercial viability
- Strengthens the role of state agricultural universities in green product development
Conclusion
The Governor’s adoption of PJTSAU’s plant-based Holi colours symbolizes a broader shift towards sustainable celebrations and environmentally responsible consumer practices. By combining traditional dye knowledge with modern research and incubation support, the university has created a model for eco-conscious innovation rooted in local agricultural resources.
CARE MCQ
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma celebrated Holi using plant-based colours prepared by which institution?
A. Osmania University
B. Indian Institute of Chemical Technology
C. Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTSAU)
D. National Institute of Rural Development
Answer: C
Explanation:
The Telangana Governor celebrated Holi at Lok Bhavan using eco-friendly, plant-based colours prepared by Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTSAU).
The initiative:
- Began about a decade ago at the university.
- Has been commercially producing natural Holi colours since 2016.
- Is led by Dr. Lakshmi Pooja from the College of Community Science.
The colours are made entirely from plant sources:
- Orange – Annatto seeds
- Yellow – Marigold flowers
- Blue – Fermented indigo leaves
- Pink – Sappanwood extract
- Green – Indigo leaf powder
Starch is used as the base material, and the formulation is completely plant-based.
This initiative promotes:
- Environment-friendly festival celebrations
- Revival of traditional natural dyeing practices
- Student involvement in production and sales
- Sustainable alternatives to chemical-based Holi colours
