with Momtaz Begum-Hossain

• Spanish
• English
• Italian

Journalist | Author

Having an intuitive, natural and organic relationship with the colours that surround us is considered to be the norm. While satisfying our daily needs by making conscious, deliberate and premeditated use of the wide range of tones and subtleties offered to us as joyful nourishment by the world around us, is the exception. Momtaz Begum-Hossain, our guest for this episode of Metralla Rosa, is a journalist and writer who has turned colour into her religion and, to demonstrate the importance of living her life whilst being fully conscious of how we use the colours that surround us, has published a book that we have received with open arms. Hello Rainbow: Finding Happiness in Colour is an invitation to realise that our daily chromatic choices can turn our love of life on, as well as off.

Whether you are in love with riotous combinations of colour, curious about the physical phenomenon in which light is translated into clear and distinct chromatic tones, a scholar – or a novice – of chromotherapy, or completely oblivious to the interactive role that colour plays in the dynamics of our day to day communication, you will, in this interview, discover that it is possible to instinctively connect to a source of light, life and pure infinite energy, beyond the superficial observations we tend to make about colour. Momtaz has forged her own path when it comes to the discovery of colour and, along the way, she has discovered that not only is there an inner wisdom in her understanding of the colours that surround her, but also a vast ancestral legacy that she has dedicated herself to unearthing and sharing.

‘Hello Rainbow: Finding Happiness in Colour’ is the result of an excavation into the importance that various cultures have placed onto the ethereal powers attributed to colour. It is also an accumulation of years of personal experiences gained in organising walks, talks, group activities, exhibitions and events that have brought together anyone, of any age, who has a love for life, and who is, unsurprisingly, also in love with colour. Discover, in this interview, rituals that help you tap into the magical power of the sun, light and colour as well as how to become a hunter and collector of rainbows. Discover too, the seven fundamental aspects of Hello Hue, the colour theory developed by Momtaz that, from an anti colonialist point of view, challenges the colour theories developed and popularised by a Eurocentric white, male perspective.

And now, enjoy the interview!

Watch Interview | Listen to Podcast
This interview was recorded on the 8th of April 2022 and released on the 27th of November 2023

Further Information:

Related Links
Momtaz Begum-Hossain: Website | Amazon | Instagram | Twitter | Showreel | Hello Hue website | Casa Chromatic | The London Colour Walk

References during the interview
Chromotherapy 00:47 | Hello Hue 00:49 | Colour 01:19 | Hello Rainbow: Finding Happiness in Colour 01:29 | Colour Yellow 03:12 | Colour Green 04:26 | Colour Red 07:26 | Colour Blue 07:34 | Colour Purple 08:34 | Colour in Flowers 08:54 | Colour Pink 12:04 | U.S. Department of Justice: Colour and Its Effects on Inmate Behaviour 12:17 | Chakras 15:25 | Chromaticity 19:07 | Luminance 19:15 | Interaction of Colours 20:05 | Chromophobia 20:39 | Colour in Fashion 24:14 | Colour in South America 24:54 | Colour in Central America 24:55 | Colours in Africa 24:56 | Colours in Asia 24:56 | Nigerian Communities in London 25:11 | Fashion in Nigeria 25:16 | Colour in Guatemalan Cemeteries 26:02 | Use of Colour in Health 27:44 | Ayurveda & Meditation 27:50 | Colour Breathing 29:20 | Buddhism 29:30 | Rainbow Body 29:36 | Nirvana 29:43 | Moon Water 32:00 | Sun Charged Water 32:11 | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 34:57 | Aromatherapy 36:30 | Reiki 36:31 | Music Therapy 36:35 | Casa Chromatic (Documentary) 43:44 | The London Colour Walk 44:04 | Old Spitalfields Market 44:43 | St Pancras Hospital 46:12 | Holi 50:38 | International Colour Day 50:51 | Colour Wheel 57:53 | The Incredible Hulk 01:05:07 | ReBoot22 01:07:01

All images and videos used during the interview by kind permission of Momtaz Begum-Hossain.

Interview Credits:

Production by Carla Tofano & Toby Deveson | Subtitles & translations by Valentina Sarno & Alessandra Greco | On set artwork: Photography by Toby Deveson & drawing of Carla by Alexandra Veres | Title music written and performed by Maya Petrovna

If you would like to make a donation to Metralla Rosa, please use this PayPal link. Your generosity will help us to continue producing free content and will primarily be used for the creation of English, Spanish & Italian subtitles. Thank you so much.

www.paypal.me/metrallarosa