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Photo: K.R. Deepak

Drenched in colours: Celebrating the season.

But the most famous one is of Prahlad and Holika. Holika was immune to fire. On her brother Hiranyakashipu’s orders, she sat in the fire with Prahlad. But Lord Vishu protected the child and the demon perished.

To commemorate the miracle, a bonfire is lit on Holi.

Holi also marks the start of spring. And the fire is symbolic of seasonal cleansing and forgetting enmities.

Vidya Malvade of “Chak de! India” fame says, “As a child Holi used to be my most wonderful festival.” If Holi is about fun, it’s also about playing safe. Traditionally colours were made from flowers. But today the colours are adulterated and often toxic. Look for organic colours if you can.

Apply coconut oil so that your skin and hair do not get too dry and the colours wash off easily.

Oil your hair an hour before playing.

Try to use red or pink colours which look good and can be easily taken off. Gaudy purple, green, yellow, orange, on the other hand, have more harmful chemicals and should be avoided.

Here are some pre-Holi tips:

Mix castor oil (for face, use almond oil) in rose water with a few drops of your favourite aroma oil.

Apply over your body and

scalp for a few nights before the festival.

Rub vaseline around and under nails as well as soles, elbows or any dry area of your body, as the colours of Holi generally leave the skin dry.

If colours do not come off in the first wash, rub warm olive oil and lemon juice, leave for an hour and wash.

Vinegar, mustard oil and curd are effective stain removers. Apply an ice pack if the skin is irritated.

For obstinate colours, apply a mixture of curd and besan or milk cream.

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