What Is Gulal Powder? Holi Powder Explained
What Is Gulal Powder? Holi Powder Explained
Gulal powder, Holi powder and colour powder may all sound different, but they are actually variations of the same colourful product. Over time, the name has evolved as colour powder celebrations have grown in popularity around the world.
At Ministry of Colours, we often get asked about the difference between these powders, so we thought we’d explain where the names come from and how the product has changed over time.
What Is Gulal Powder?
Gulal is the traditional name for the coloured powder used during Hindu festivals and celebrations, especially Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours.
Traditionally, gulal powder was made using natural ingredients such as:
- Flowers
- Berries
- Herbs
- Spices
- Plant extracts
Because these ingredients were natural, the powder was often referred to as Herbal Gulal and was considered gentle on the skin.
You can learn more about Holi traditions through the Britannica guide to Holi.
How Gulal Became Holi Powder
As Holi festivals became more popular around the world, demand for coloured powder increased significantly.
Over time, many people started referring to gulal simply as “Holi powder” because the product became strongly associated with Holi celebrations.
Modern production methods also changed to meet growing demand. Instead of using only natural colour sources, manufacturers began using food-grade synthetic dyes to create brighter colours and larger quantities more efficiently.
At Ministry of Colours, our colour powder products are made using non-toxic food-grade dyes to ensure vibrant colours while maintaining high safety standards.
What Is Colour Powder?
The term “colour powder” is now commonly used outside of traditional Hindu celebrations.
Today, colour powder is popular at:
- Colour runs
- Festivals
- Gender reveals
- School events
- Parties
- Photoshoots
Although the name may differ, the powder itself remains very similar to traditional gulal.
Authentic Colour Powder from India
At Ministry of Colours, our powders are still manufactured in India, helping maintain an authentic connection to the traditions behind Holi and gulal powder.
Our powders are:
- Non-toxic
- Bright and vibrant
- Safe for skin contact
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for festivals and events
Because of this, they are perfect for both traditional celebrations and modern colourful events.
Celebrate with Ministry of Colours
Whether you call it gulal powder, Holi powder or colour powder, one thing remains the same — it brings people together through colour, celebration and fun.
At Ministry of Colours, we supply high-quality powders and accessories for festivals, colour runs and events across the UK.
If you are planning a colourful celebration and need help choosing the right products, our team is always happy to help.
How To Do Powder Photography - Pet Edition!
Colour Powder Pet Photoshoot Tips
We all love taking cute photos of our pets. But have you ever thought about taking your pet photography to the next level with a colour powder pet photoshoot?
Colour powder can create amazing action shots. It adds movement, energy and bright bursts of colour to your photos. Pets love to run, jump and play, which makes them perfect for fun, dynamic photography.
During a typical colour powder photoshoot, powder is gently added to the back of the animal’s fur while they sit still. Then, when they run or jump, the powder creates a dramatic colour blast effect.
Sounds simple, right?
Not always.
They say never work with animals, but with the right planning, your photoshoot can run much more smoothly. Here are our top tips for creating colourful pet photos you will love.
Before the Shoot
1. Choose the Right Location
First, decide where your colour powder photoshoot will take place.
An outdoor location is often easier for clean-up. Fields, gardens and open spaces can work well. However, outdoor shoots give you less control over the background, weather and lighting.
An indoor studio gives you more control. You can manage the lighting, background and camera set-up more easily. However, it will be much messier. If you shoot indoors, make sure the space is well ventilated.
A black background with backlighting can create striking results. It helps the colour powder stand out and gives your photos a dramatic finish.
2. Bring Extra Helpers
A colour powder pet photoshoot is not a one-person job.
There are lots of moving parts. You need someone taking the photos, someone applying the colour powder and someone encouraging the pet to move.
Ideally, your team should include:
- A photographer
- A colour powder helper
- A toy thrower
- A treat giver
- Someone to help keep the pet calm
The more organised your team is, the easier the shoot will be.
3. Bring Their Favourite Toys
Pets are usually at their happiest when they are playing. So, bring something they love.
This could be:
- A tennis ball
- A frisbee
- A tug toy
- A squeaky toy
- Their favourite training toy
The best action shots often happen when a pet jumps, runs or turns quickly. Toys help create those natural moments.
Happy pets also make better photos. If your pet is enjoying themselves, it will show.
4. Set Up a Simple Jump
You do not need a full agility course to create impressive photos.
A single obstacle can work really well. Place it in front of the camera and encourage your pet to jump over it.
This helps you capture big leaps, movement and fun shapes. It also gives the colour powder a chance to lift into the air.
Keep the obstacle safe and suitable for your pet’s size and ability. If your pet does not want to jump, do not force it. Running shots can look just as good.
5. Pack Plenty of Treats
Treats are essential.
You cannot expect your pet to model perfectly without rewards. Treats help keep them focused, motivated and happy.
Use small treats so you can reward your pet often without overfeeding them. You can also use praise, toys or breaks as rewards.
The goal is to make the shoot feel fun, not stressful.
During the Shoot
6. Use a Fast Shutter Speed
Animals move quickly, so your camera needs to keep up.
Use a fast shutter speed and burst mode if possible. This gives you a much better chance of capturing the perfect action shot.
Taking only one photo per jump is risky. You might miss the best moment, and your pet may get tired quickly.
If you are using a smartphone, try burst mode or a camera app with manual controls. These can help you capture sharper action photos.
7. Get Down Low
For stronger pet portraits, get down to your pet’s eye level.
Most pets are much smaller than us, so you may need to crouch, kneel or even lie down. This helps create more powerful and natural photos.
Keep toys, treats and your camera angle low too. This will make the final image feel more connected and full of energy.
8. Keep the Shoot Short and Fun
Pets can get tired or distracted quickly.
Keep your shoot short and give your pet regular breaks. Watch their body language. If they seem stressed, tired or uncomfortable, pause the shoot.
A few great photos are better than pushing for too long.
The best results come when your pet feels relaxed and happy.
After the Shoot
9. Edit Your Photos
Some colour powder shades may need a little editing to stand out.
Yellow and green can sometimes look softer in outdoor photos. Darker colours, such as purple and blue, may also disappear against a dark background.
Editing can help make the powder pop. You can adjust brightness, contrast and sharpness. You can also remove background distractions.
Photoshop is a great option. However, there are also plenty of free editing apps that can help improve your final images.
10. Clean Your Pet Carefully
After the shoot, your pet may look like a rainbow.
Before reaching for the bath, remove as much loose powder as possible. Use towels, brushes or a hairdryer on a cool, gentle setting.
Once the loose powder has been removed, you can bathe your pet if needed. Avoid harsh scrubbing, and use a pet-safe shampoo.
We also recommend testing a small amount of powder first, especially on pets with light fur. Every coat is different, so it is best to be careful.
And of course, reward your pet with the rest of the treats afterwards.
11. Share Your Colourful Photos
Once you have captured your colourful pet photos, do not keep them to yourself.
We love seeing your colourful creations. Tag Ministry of Colours in your photos for a chance to be featured on our social media pages.
Pet photoshoots are fun, creative and full of personality. With the right planning, colour powder can help you create images that are bright, playful and completely unique.
Create Your Own Colour Powder Pet Photoshoot
If you would like to organise your own colour powder pet photoshoot, Ministry of Colours has everything you need.
Our vibrant colour powder is available in a range of colours, including red, yellow, blue, green, pink, orange, purple and turquoise.
Mix and match your favourite shades to create bright, rainbow-style results.
For the best photos, choose a safe location, keep your pet comfortable and let them have fun.
David Ross Education Trust sees the school year off with a blast… of colour!
With the 2020/2021 academic year bringing so much disruption and so many challenges, the David Ross Education Trust decided their pupils needed to release some of that pent up lockdown energy… in the form of a colour powder party! At Ministry of Colours, we believe the only way to truly celebrate such a crazy year is to throw an equally crazy end of year party!
The David Ross Education Trust - or DRET, as they’re more commonly referred to - is a diverse network of 34 academies spanning across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and more recently, London. Committed to providing their 12,000 students with a world class education and unrivalled opportunities, DRET are well on their way to becoming one of the highest performing multi-academy trusts in the UK.
At one lucky school, pupils and teachers were provided with heaps of our fantastic holi powder in seven bold colours, and handed the brilliant power of showering their classmates in as much colour as possible - no rules allowed! Pupils were covered head to toe in a rainbow of colours, adorning their snazzy colour party sunglasses for that extra cool factor.
Across other schools in the trust, more exciting colour events are scheduled for September as an engaging way of welcoming pupils back to school after the summer holidays. These events will act as a great team building activity to help ease back-to-school anxiety, as well as something to look forward to after a nice and relaxing break.
If you’d like to throw a party as colourtastic as this, don’t hesitate to get in touch for the best quality supplies!
How To Preserve Your Colour Run T-Shirt
You’ve completed your colour run, had the best day ever and now you want a keepsake to remember how much fun you had?
Why not keep your colour blasted t-shirt as a souvenir? You could display it in a frame as your very own personal trophy or even add it to your wardrobe as a trendy, fashionable one-off design! Either way, it’s super easy to preserve your colourful tee – here’s how!
Step 1: No shaking!
We know how exciting it is finishing a colour fun run, but in order to keep as much of that bright colour powder on your top as possible, it’s best to keep the crazy dance moves for later! Avoid brushing and dusting off your t-shirt too, you want to keep the colour on your shirt, not your hands!
Step 2: Spray your shirt down with white vinegar
Make sure your tee is on a flat surface for this step. Even though dripping colours may be a cool look, the likelihood is they’ll muddle together to create a not so cool brown mess! Spray down every inch of your t-shirt in white vinegar until it’s properly soaked. Please note, if your t-shirt has non-permanent pen written on it, the vinegar can cause this to bleed and no longer be legible. For school leavers events, we recommend only using permanent marker pens to avoid spoiling the t-shirts.
Step 3: Give your t-shirt an iron
Allow the white vinegar to partly dry before this step, and place an old sheet between your colour t-shirt and the iron to prevent any fabric burns. The heat and pressure from the iron helps to really sink that wonderful colour powder into the fibres of your tee.
Step 4: Pop your top in the dryer
Finish your masterpiece by throwing your vinegar soaked, crisply ironed tee into a hot dryer for 10 minutes. If you don’t have access to a tumble dryer, blast your shirt with a hairdryer until it’s dry. This allows the t-shirt to further absorb those colours, and keep them locked in!
You now have your very own unique keepsake to remember just how fun your colour run was! Remember to wash at 30℃ to prevent significant colour loss, although with every wash, your lovely colours will unfortunately start to dim. That’s the trouble with our completely washable colour powder – it’s both a blessing and a curse!
If you decide to try out this fun tip, tag us in your photos! We love seeing our social feed full of colour! Don’t forget to follow us 🙂