My Journey to India: The Heart of Our Colour Powder Production
India has always fascinated me. As the birthplace of the colour powder that fuels festivals, colour runs, events, and celebrations all around the world, it’s a country rich in tradition, culture, craftsmanship, and vibrant energy. Last year, I (Nigel Halliday, Managing Director of Ministry Of Colours) had the privilege of visiting our suppliers to see firsthand how our authentic, top-quality colour powder is made – from locally sourced ingredients to the final product that ends up in the hands of our customers.
Authenticity at the Core
At Ministry of Colours, we believe in bringing our customers the most authentic experience possible. That’s why we source our colour powder directly from India, the home of Holi and colour celebrations. Unlike some other alternatives, our colour powder follows a traditional production process that has been passed down for generations.
The journey starts with locally sourced cornstarch, chosen for its soft, silky texture and natural properties. This starch is then dyed using food-grade colours, ensuring that every handful of powder is not only vibrant but also safe for the skin and the environment. Once dyed, the powder is dried using natural heat and sunlight, or where needed, renewable fuels, making the entire process sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
One of the things that struck me the most during my trip was how deeply committed our suppliers are to sustainability. In a world where industrial production often comes at the cost of environmental damage, I was proud to see how our colour powder is created using eco-conscious methods. The reliance on natural drying techniques (it was very hot there!) reduces energy consumption, and by using non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients, we ensure that our colour powder leaves no harmful impact on the planet.
Making a Difference: Economic and Social Impact
Beyond sustainability, our colour powder production plays a crucial role in supporting local communities. Every bag of powder we sell helps employ over 100 people, from factory workers to logistics teams, helping to provide stable income and opportunities in regions where employment can be scarce.
One of the most inspiring aspects of our supplier’s business is their dedication to gender equality and social responsibility. Their female Sales Director is a testament to the changing dynamics in India’s workforce, and I was truly inspired by her leadership and passion for the industry. On top of this, our manufacturer actively supports Government schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, which translates to “Save the Girl, Educate the Girl.” This initiative aims to combat gender bias and improve opportunities and welfare services for young girls, ensuring they have better access to education and a brighter future.
Knowing that our partnership contributes to such meaningful causes makes every festival, race, and event that uses our colour powder even more special.
A Journey of Insight and Appreciation
Walking through the production facilities, meeting the dedicated workers, and witnessing the traditional craftsmanship behind every batch of powder was a great experience. It reaffirmed my belief in our commitment to quality, authenticity, and ethical sourcing.
At Ministry of Colours, we’re not just selling colour powder—we’re sharing a piece of India’s rich culture and supporting a supply chain that empowers communities. We are incredibly proud to be a part of this industry, ensuring that every handful of colour you throw carries with it a story of tradition, sustainability, and positive impact.
Until next time, India—thank you for the colour, the culture, and the inspiration.
Nigel Halliday
Managing Director, Ministry of Colours
46,000 Reasons To Host A Colour Run
A Colour Run Case Study With Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
Please watch the video above: In this video case study, we dive into the exciting and heartwarming world of colour runs, highlighting their incredible benefits for both participants and the community. We are joined by Vicky Lough, the events fundraiser at Forget Me No Children’s Hospice, who explores how these vibrant, fun events help raise vital funds for the hospice and support families in need.
Background: Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, located in Huddersfield, UK, provides specialised care to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. They offer invaluable support not only for the children but also for their families, providing respite care, end-of-life care, and bereavement support. The charity relies heavily on donations, fundraising, and events to fund its essential services. The colour run was introduced as a fun and engaging event that could draw in people of all ages and backgrounds to raise vital funds for this cause.
The Concept Of The Colour Run
The Forget Me Not Colour Run is a 3-5K event held at Greenhead Park that emphasises inclusivity and enjoyment. Participants walk, jog, or run the course while being showered with vibrant coloured powders at various checkpoints sponsored by businesses. In 2024 sponsors included Charlesworth Family Group, Shepley Spring, FMG, Advanced Supply Chain, Purple Pebble People, Mercedes and Aflex Hose. Colour powder represents hope, joy, and celebration of life, themes that resonate strongly with the ethos of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. The event is designed to be an experience that is about more than just physical activity — it’s about raising awareness, coming together as a community, and showing solidarity with those who are facing difficult challenges.
Collaboration Between Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Ministry Of Colours
The collaboration between Ministry Of Colours and Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice began with a shared goal: to raise funds while spreading positivity. Organising a large-scale event like this requires significant planning, coordination, and promotion. The team at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice utilised their strong network of supporters, volunteers, and families to plan and promote the event while the team at Ministry Of Colours supplied them with all the colour powder and event accessories they would need. Through social media campaigns, local media coverage, and email newsletters, the event gained significant visibility. Many of the families who benefited from the hospice’s services became active participants, sharing their stories and encouraging others to join in.
Event Execution
On the day of the 2024 colour run, the atmosphere was electric. Over 1,000 participants of all ages gathered to take part in the event, many wearing white clothing that would soon be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour as they ran, walked, or jogged along the route. Aside from the 3-5K run, the event featured entertainment, food stalls, and opportunities for families to participate in additional activities like face painting, live music, and family-friendly games. These activities ensured that even those who chose not to run could still enjoy the day and contribute to the fun. The event catered to people of all fitness levels, from seasoned runners to families with young children. Participants could choose their pace, and there was no pressure to complete the course quickly. The primary goal was to raise money while fostering a sense of community and connection.
Fundraising Impact
In 2024 the Forget Me Not Colour Run was a major success in terms of fundraising. They raised over £46,000! Participants paid a registration fee to take part, and additional funds were raised through sponsorships, donations, and fundraising pages set up by individuals and teams. The funds raised went directly to Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, ensuring that the charity could continue to provide care and support to families who rely on their services. Through this event, the hospice sees an increase in engagement from the local community, both in terms of participation and donations. The awareness raised through the event also results in new corporate sponsorships and partnerships that provide ongoing financial support. Moreover, the colour run helps to strengthen the emotional connection between the community and the hospice. Many participants express a deep sense of pride in supporting a cause that directly impacts the lives of children and families in their area.
Conclusion
Having catered to over 1,000 participants and raising £46,000 in 2024, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice certainly know a thing or two about hosting a successful colour run event! Vicky Lough explains exactly how they did it in this fantastic interview, providing a wonderful insight for any organisation looking to follow suit. From promoting fitness and wellness to fostering a sense of unity and joy, colour runs offer something special for everyone.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Ministry Of Colours to learn more about how you can get involved and make a positive impact while having a blast! And if you have ever worked with us to host a colour powder event and would like us to produce a video case study, like the one feature here, to help promote your event/organisation then please get in touch!
My First Holi Festival
POV: A Yorkshireman At Holi
As a relatively uncultured Yorkshireman, I had no idea what to expect when I was stationed to work at the UK’s largest Holi Festival at Beaver Works in Leeds. Now most festivals I have attended in the past have a ‘no mess’ policy, but not this one! At Holi you are encouraged to make as much mess as possible with safe and natural powders that come in 7 vibrant colours. Celebrating my first Holi festival was an exciting and colorful experience filled with joy and tradition. One that will be remembered forever. I soon found out that Holi was more than just a party, it’s a time for friends and family to forget differences and come together in a spirit of unity and love.
Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a Hindu festival originally celebrated in India but now celebrated all over the world. It marks the arrival of spring and signifies the victory of good over evil in Hindu mythology. During Holi, people come together to play with vibrant colored powders, known as gulal, creating a beautiful kaleidoscope of hues. Each colour at Holi represents something different:
- Red symbolises love and passion and is the most beloved color during Holi.
- Yellow is the sacred colour of India.
- Blue is a symbol of courage, love, calm, and serenity.
- Green holds the essence of energy, new beginnings, harvest, and hope in Hindu culture.
- Pink is a favorite colour for girls and women, and it is seen as the most attractive and energetic color.
- In Hinduism, the colour orange symbolises the sacral chakra, the energy center related to sexuality and self-awareness.
- Purple is always connected to royalty, wealth, and power in India.
Thankfully, I was prewarned to join in the festivities by wearing budget sunglasses to protect my eyes, and old garments that I didn’t mind getting stained with colours. Lucky, I also managed to narrowly avoid wearing the Sequin Rainbow Skirt I was told all first-time Ministry of Colours employees must wear… I did settle with a Leis, however. I instantly saw that Holi is a time to let go of inhibitions and within the first few minutes of opening, I was covered from head to toe in colours. Mostly purple, which must have been a mistake as my attributes don’t tend to signify royalty, wealth and power. I then got to tuck into some traditional sweets like gujiyas and thandai that are also enjoyed during this festive occasion. These delicious treats will certainly be making their way onto my shopping list in the near future.
Ministry of Colours in the News
In the two months since the launch of the new Ministry of Colours website and colour powder products we've been had some great interest from the regional and national press.
We've had a lovely article written for us by the Huddersfield Examiner. You can read the full article online on their website
What is Holi Festival? – The Top 10 questions on Google answered by our experts
- What is Holi Festival? Holi is a Hindu spring festival originally celebrated across India and Nepal. As Hinduism has spread across the globe, so has the Holi Festival. Also called the Festival of Colours, events are normally held around the start of March each year to celebrate the coming of spring.
- When is the Holi Festival in 2018? Holi Festival takes place around March 2nd 2018. Colourful events will take place globally around this time. The 2019 date is March 21.
- Why is colour powder used as part of the Holi Festival of Colours? The clue is in the name. Thought originally to be part of banishing away the winter blues and celebrating the start of spring, the throwing of colour powder has become synonymous with Holi festivities.
- What is Holi colour powder made from? Originally pigment made from natural plant-based dyes like turmeric was mixed with corn starch to create the dried colour powder. Now a global phenomenon, the demand for colour powder means that modern manufacturing processes have been introduced to meet stringent safety standards and vast quantities required. We alone sold 60 tonnes of colour powder in 2016.
- How do I make my own Holi powder? There’s no secret recipe, it’s just corn starch and coloured dye. However, recent times have brought about strict control over the production and use of Holi colour powder, especially for events held in the UK. Ministry of Colours hold EN71 certification for our colour powders.
- What do I need to run a Holi event? The rule of thumb is anything colourful will work. You don't need a huge, organised event to celebrate Holi - gather your friends and family together and play Holi at home with our colour powder. Remember we are blowing away the winter cobwebs here, so the brighter the better. Alongside the obvious colour powder, you could perhaps look at introducing some modern touches with neon sunglasses, leis and colour hand cannons?
- What colours can I get the colour powder in? Traditionally the colours of powder were restricted to what could be produced with natural dyes. With the introduction of modern manufacturing processes the range of available colours has grown to include pretty much every colour of the rainbow.
- How do I clean colour powder off my clothes? The straight forward answer is you can’t 100% guarantee clean clothes after attending a Holi colour powder event. Perhaps wear clothes that you don’t mind a stain or two on? Many people wear white t-shirts to colour powder events, and use their clothes as a blank canvas upon which they can paint with the colour powder.
- Can you get colour powder off the floor? If you are running an event, it’s best to make sure you have a clean-up plan in place. The powder will leave a temporary stain on surfaces, but it does disappear in time. Mother nature is the best cleaner, with a good rain shower cleaning pretty much everything away. Perhaps you could consider covering the floor with a plastic sheet where you think intensive colour throwing will take place? We have also heard of event organisers hiring leaf blowers to collect together the bulk of the post event powder.
- Can I use the Holi colour powder inside? Remember you will need to clean up the mess, perhaps it’s best your colour powder is thrown outside? There are also doubts over the safety of some coloured powder brands when brought into contact with live electricity.
Party Safely! - Tips to make sure your colour event goes without a hitch
Here at the Ministry of Colours we are keen for everyone to have a fun time at their colour event, that’s what we are all about. However, we are also mindful of the importance of safety when running an event which might include hundreds of people. So, bearing that in mind, here is some advice based on our 10+ years in the field.
- Our first tip would be always to buy your colour powders from a reputable source and use it in a well ventilated area – usually outdoors. Our colour powder is very safe as it is non-toxic and made from natural ingredients. It’s very unlikely to irritate and is not harmful to the environment.
- Eye protection. Most people won’t be adversely affected by our powder but anything can occasionally cause eye irritation, so have some brightly coloured sunglasses or a visor on offer to add to the fun and give added protection. These are incredibly popular accessories, the kids especially love them.
- Protect clothing; offer participants a plain white t-shirt. Not only will this save their clothes but everyone will have a brightly coloured reminder of your event. Be prepared with plenty of these in different sizes. And remember to tell everyone that our colours will wash out!
- Provide access to plenty of water, or drinking and for rinsing. Most people will at least want to wash their hands after the event.
- After the event when it’s time to clean up then we recommend you sweep up first, this will remove most of the residue. Then simply wash away with water. Or wait for Mother Nature to do it for you...
Party safely!