Mumbai colours itself for Holi

MUMBAI: The city will be awash with colour over the weekend as Mumbaikars celebrate the festival of Holi, but a note of caution precedes the celebrations with concerns over the colours used during the festival.

The festival, celebrated to symbolise the victory of Prahlad over the Holika, has raised concerns in recent years over quality of the colours used during the celebrations since industrially produced 'rangs' (colours) often contain chemicals that are injurious to the skin and eyes.

Dermatologists and opthamologists have warned those playing with colours to take adequate precautions like applying oil on skin and hair as well as using non-toxic colours.

The city is also catching on the trend of using organic colours made from flowers and other natural substances, but the products are presently available in few stores.

Thandai, the traditional milk based drink made on Holi has also been prepared in large volumes by vendors to ensure that the drink is available to cater to the large demand on the day.

Bollywood, famed for its portrayal of the festival on screen and hyped parties at the homes of its stars, will lack some of its glamour quotient this year as some of its big families like the Bachchans are unlikely to hold their famed
parties.

Maharashtra Governor SM Krishna has extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion.