On Holi, a look at Jaipur’s traditional celebrations with ‘Gulaal Gota
- In some parts of Rajasthan’s Jaipur, an old tradition will play out where colours will be thrown through a unique medium called the “Gulaal Gota”, dating back around 400 years.
What is a Gulaal Gota?
- A Gulaal Gota is a small ball made of lac, filled with dry gulaal.
- Local artisans say that making Gulaal Gotas involves first boiling the lac in water to make it flexible.
- Lac is a resinous substance that is secreted by certain insects.
- It is also used to make bangles.
How did Gulaal Gotas become a tradition in Jaipur?
- Gulaal Gotas are made by Muslim lac makers, called Manihaars, only in Jaipur.
Jaipur
- The city of Jaipur was established in 1727.
- Its founder Sawai Jai Singh II, an admirer of art
- The erstwhile royal family is also known to order Gulaal Gota at its palace for the festival.
What does the future look like for this work?
- In a bid to save the tradition, some Gulaal Gota makers have demanded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- A GI tag can help boost the awareness of a product and highlight its location-specific exclusivity.
- It also helps original creators safeguard their products against imitation.
Prelims Takeaway
- Geographical Indication (GI) tag
- Jaipur