esivoution

A photographic tribute to Melbourne's Indian food culture

Phocographyhas always been a silent passion for Sonia, but an important one being in the field of design and ard1itecture.

explains."I would describe tl1is new wave asyoung,healtb-focused, experimencal and passionate about what chey do."

BY DHANYA SAMUEL

Sonia Sarangi is an architect by profession, butsbe is also an avid foodie and photographer. Herrecentlyconcluded phocogrnphye.xhibition, Desivolution, presented in association witb MulticulturalArtsVictoria,is testimonyto this, capturing tbe heanand soul of the lndi an food culrure inMelbourne.

"Restaurants have become powerful billboards for culture and diversityin Melbourne,"Sarangi says."It is in this space that maoyof us are willing to share different aspects of desiculture that ochers are unaware of."

She continues,"The exhibition focuses on the design and food of tl1ese 'new wave' Indian establishments,I hesitateto call tliem restaurants as manydo not fit tliat description,from food trucks to specialist market stalls; from healthy streetfood to contemporaryfinedining,tucked away in tlie laneways of Melbourne.Ultimately,I belie,,etlrnt food is a fantastic window into our culture."

"It began witl1 me'borrowing' mydad's film camerabefore 1 headedto university and tl1en forgetting to ever return it," Sarangisays."I don't have formal training, butI think chat beingself-taughtis a route chatmanycreative peopletake.It's taken mequite a long time to find myvoice in photographyand to find the perfect platform coshare it."

Michael Silver (who runs l'vfagnet Galleries where tbe exhibition was held) showed Sonia somebeautifularchival paperson which herphotographs could be printed.The minute Khadi was mentioned, sheknew tl1is would be the most befitting surface for her photographs.The paper comes from a handmadepapermill outside tl1e village of Tarihalnear Hubli, in Karnataka.K.hadipapers are made from 100percenccottonrag, which is known for its exceptional strength and durability,and have longer fibres thanli.nterswbich are generally used inpapermaking.

Ali of tl,e food outletsinvolved in the project "instantly grasped the conceptand embraced it".Sarangi is full of praises for the restaurants, cafesand pop-ups who agreed tObe apart oftl1eproject."They were generous witb their time and let us inco their verybusy working routines," she

Featured in Desh7olution areBabuji (4-6GreySt, ScKilda), Delhi Streets (22 Katherine Place),Dilli 6(290Old Geelong Rd, HoppersCrossing),Original Chai Co (Queen St, Opp.Shed H,QueenVic l\farket), Overdosa (pop up stalls across 1klbonrne),Tadka Boom (22Goldsbrough Lane) and Tonka (20 Duckboard Pl).

"Even in a citylikeMelbourne, which marches onitsstomach,it is a very competitive and brutal scene witl1i11 tl,e hospitalityindustry,"Sarangi says."They each rook a risk in presentinga facet of Indian food or culture that manyof the locals do not understand.Ai1d in doingso tl1eyeach inadvertentlytook ontl1e role of being constant cultural ambassadors."

J\native ofOrissa,born and brought up in Dubai,completingherhighersrudies in Singapore and tlieomovingtoAustraliain 2006,Soniacalls herself a global citizen. This nomadic journeyhas alsobroadened her horizons about whatIndian culrurereally means and how food alwa)'S plays an intricate part,especially whenyou live outsideIndia.

Soniasays that the extensive support of Mu.lticulcuralAnsVictoria and Magnet Galleries has enabled her to bring these stories to life through her photographsthat arequitedifferent to what is oftenseen in

"Instagram,I fear, has desensitised everyone topicture-postcard photos," Sarangi says "Myadvice would be to tal-::eyour time to discover anautl1entic story orcopic tliatyou arepassionate about.Photographs don't simplycapture a moment, tbeyare also a powerful story telling medium.And tbe best stories are tl1osechat come from within."

Packinga healthy school lunchbox will help your children to learn and grow

Every parent knows the challenge of finding fun, healthy recipes to cure kids' lunchbox boredom.A good diet is essential for growth and development in children, but also for simplygiving them the energy to bekids!

A key change at the start of the school year is the transition from holiday play to sitting and concentrating back at school. Fuelling your kids with the right balance of nutrients will play a part in keeping them energised and focused throughout the day.

So how do you get the right balance of nutrients? "Keep it simple by remembering to include something from each of the five core foods groups: plenty of veggies, fruit, meat or meat alternatives, dairy and wholegrains," saysAmanda Menegazzo from The Dairy

Kichen.

If you're after some inspiration for fabulous back to school, healthy lunchbox combinations, try these recipes from The Dairy Kitchen.

Cauliflower and

Cheddar Fritters with

Kiwi Salsa

Serves4 Preparation Time: 20 min

CookingTime: 30 min

Ingredients caulif ower until it resembles cous cous

Fritters: You will need 2 cups cauliflower crumbs

1 cup tri-colour quinoa