Gulaal Gota

Gulaal Gota

News: During the Holi festival, in some parts of Rajasthan’s Jaipur, an old tradition involved playing out with colors through a unique medium called the “Gulaal Gota”, dating back around 400 years.

What is Gulaal Gota?
 A Gulaal Gota is a small ball made of lac, filled with dry gulaal. These lightweight balls, weighing around 20 grams when filled with gulaal, are traditionally thrown at people during the Holi festival. Upon impact, they burst into colorful fragments, adding to the festive spirit.

How is it made?
 Raw Material: The process begins with lac, a resinous substance secreted by certain insects. Lac is brought from regions like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. To produce 1 kg of lac resin, approximately 300,000 insects are involved. Apart from Gulaal Gotas, lac is also used to make bangles, dye, and wax.
 Making Process:
o Boiling Lac: The lac is boiled in water to make it flexible.
o Shaping and Coloring: After shaping the lac, colors (initially red, yellow, and green) are added. Other colors can be obtained through combinations.
o Spherical Forming: Artisans heat the lac and blow it into a spherical shape using a blower called “phunkni.”
o Filling with Gulaal: Gulaal (dry colored powder) is then filled into the spherical lac balls before they are sealed.
 Tradition in Jaipur: Gulaal Gotas are unique to Jaipur, Rajasthan. They are crafted by Muslim lac makers known as Manihaars, who settled in Bagru near Jaipur. Manihaars’ ancestors were shepherds and horse traders from Afghanistan. The city of Jaipur has a dedicated lane at the Tripoliya Bazaar where lac bangles, jewelry, and Gulaal Gotas are sold.

Economics and Demand
 A box of six Gulaal Gota balls is sold for Rs 150, making them costlier than water balloons.
 Lac bangles are the main source of sustenance for Manihaars, as making Gulaal Gota is seasonal work.
 Original lac bangles are eco-friendly and chemical-free.
 However, demand for lac-only bangles has fallen due to cheaper, chemical-based alternatives.
 Some younger community members are opting for blue-collar jobs over artisan work