By Moiz Mamoowala

It’s heartening to see Pune leaning into its “cultural capital” roots by embracing the future of food, which, ironically, looks a lot like the past. Initiatives like the Earth Souk at Monalisa Kalagram aren’t just about shopping; they are about rebuilding a lost connection with the soil. Extending the Art gallery to artisanal food and making an excuse for a Mother’s Day gift hamper or for any festive occasion. Creating a unique experience for mothers and kids or grownups to treat their mothers for a memory inclusive of art, food and groceries.

Here is a breakdown of why this shift towards millets and mindful consumption is gaining such momentum:

Why the “Millet Revival” Matters?

Millets are often called “miracle grains” for a reason. While they were sidelined during the Green Revolution in favor of rice and wheat, their comeback is fueled by two major factors:

• Environmental Resilience: Millets are incredibly hardy. They require significantly less water than rice and can grow in poor soil without the need for synthetic fertilizers.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: They are gluten-free, have a low Glycemic Index (GI), and are packed with fiber, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium and iron.

At a Glance: What Earth Souk Offers

Category	Featured Highlights
The Grains	Ragi (Finger millet), Bajra (Pearl), Jowar (Sorghum), and minor millets like Foxtail and Kodo.
Pantry Staples	Cold-pressed oils, chemical-free jaggery, raw forest honey, and stone-ground spices.
Fresh Produce	Seasonal vegetables and fruits grown using regenerative farming practices.
Education	Workshops on cooking with millets and the “Farm-to-Fork” journey.

Beyond the Shopping Bag

The real value of events managed by community leaders like Akash Panavkar lies in the transparency they provide. In a typical supermarket, the “story” of your food is hidden behind plastic packaging. At the Earth Souk:

1. Direct Dialogue: You can actually talk to the person who grew your food, understanding the challenges of chemical-free farming.
2. Cultural Revival: By showcasing indigenous foods, the souk helps preserve traditional recipes and farming techniques that were on the verge of disappearing.
3. Community Building: It transforms the act of “buying groceries” into a social and educational experience, making sustainability feel like a collective journey rather than a chore.

Four years ago, a simple meeting at the Cymroza Art Gallery sparked a lasting friendship. At the time, there was a dream to gift a portrait of the legendary Shri. Ratan Tata to the man himself made by one of Manmohan Jaiswal’s friends. Despite several attempts, that dream remained unfulfilled, and eventually, the great visionary passed away.

But where one door closed, another opened.

Inspired by the journey, the focus shifted toward creating new works, including collaborations that brought fresh perspectives to the canvas. This creative path wasn’t just about painting; it was about a larger mission: making art a part of everyday life in India. Some of my paintings also included Shumi Bose, a true inspiration, and my consicous motivation to make this happen.

Now, as art takes centre stage on national platforms like NDTV for the portrait artist of the year, the journey has come full circle. Gifting this painting to Shri. Manmohan Jaiswal, a mentor and the founder of Aakriti Art Foundation, marks a beautiful milestone. It turns a missed opportunity from the past into a celebration of the future—one where art is finally gaining the importance it deserves.

Manmohan Jaiswal at his 4th edition of the Art Festival by Aakriti Art Foundation, Mumbai.

Amruta Fadnavis, at the Great Indian Spin.

Dr. Huz on his birthday, at the Punjab Grill restaurant.

Shri Sura Das Prabhuji, at Kharghar Isckon

Smt. Bhagwati Mittal, at her residence.

Assistant to Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani and Darshan Hiranandani at the Powai Office.

Ar. Sanjeev Joshi, stalwart of art and architecture restoration.

Mr. Baqar Nasser the Great Indian Spin at Byculla.

Mr. Jaoquim D’Souza, at Secudearbad.

Shri. Shabbir Shakir, at Secunderabad.

Smt. Fehmi Kantawala, at Moshi, Pune.

Smt. Yasmin Shaikh assistant to Smt. Ritu Chabbria at Muluk Madhav Foundation, Pune.

Amil Saheb Moiz Bhai Dalal, on the occasion of Moharram. The tree is at Jordan and is 1500 years old.

Shumi Bose, a portrait on canson paper and poster colours.

Head Constable Shri Laxmikant Barde, MRA Marg Police Stn.

Art Review by Moiz Mamoowala

It was a fine evening, and the weather was most favourable for a T20 World Cup match, resulting in India’s victory by 61 runs. Marathi is a sweet language, as a famous quote, ‘Til gud Ghya ani god god bola’. Maharashtrians are known for sweet talking and sweetness in their nature. Prem Jalsa is an event organised by Jalsa Studio spreading a message of love with a motto of Ishq Mohobat zindabad, pyar mohobat zinndabad setting the evening mood to love and remove hate. Pyar Dosti Zindabad, Pyar Mohobat Zindabad, offering sarcasm to the audience in the election mood, in case anyone is interested in doing murdabad and zindabad.

Marathi songs were melodious, and the energy in the audience doubled when a 15-year-old boy performed a Marathi song, “Majhi Fiat”.  

While Anirudh was painting his Radha, or the lady luck, in a dancing mood, with some fog and mist, he enjoyed the music and the painting while most of the audience was having a delightful experience of painting and music.

Lastly, Aniruddha and his friend Nami were invited on stage for a selfie, and the audience was asked to turn on their mobile torches to make a gesture of thanks through the lights.

With a final flourish, Aniruddha adds his calligraphy to the portraits. Attending a few viewers at his stall and ending the show with a selfie with friends.