Dr. Saju Thuruthil: The Master Muralist of Modern India

Dr. Saju Thuruthil: The Master Muralist of Modern India

By Author

Published on June 12, 2025

In the quiet village of Kalady, Kerala, resides Dr. Saju Thuruthil—one of India’s most revered mural artists, who has spent over 35 years redefining Kerala’s traditional art form. While he stays away from the mainstream art market, his influence resonates globally, with over 2,000 artworks in private collections across 38 countries. His murals grace every airport in Kerala, blending heritage with modern public spaces.

A Life Dedicated to Mural Art

Dr. Thuruthil holds India’s first Ph.D. in mural painting, has authored a textbook on the subject, and has led the Mural Painting Department at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, for 27 years. As Director of the Kerala Mural Heritage Conservation Centre, he has restored ancient murals in over a dozen temples, including the famed Padmanabhaswamy Temple. He has received numerous national and state awards and fellowships.

Almost three decades ago, he turned his home into Kerala’s first residential art gallery—an act of devotion that brought mural art closer to people, making it both personal and accessible.

Reimagining the Mural Form

Though rooted in traditional temple art, Dr. Thuruthil revolutionized the mural format by adapting it to canvas. This evolution expanded its reach into hotels, airports, corporate spaces, and homes, while his themes began to reflect deeper emotional and social undertones.

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Iconic Series and Signature Works

His most acclaimed works include:

  • "Chayamukhi": A series of over 500 pieces exploring nostalgia, femininity, and longing—collected by names like the Tata Group, Union Bank, and TVS.
  • "Sri Chakra Kundalini": A spiritual series inspired by tantric philosophy and Kerala’s color traditions.
  • "Lady with Bird": 250 charcoal works with poetic stillness, often adorning hotel suites.
  • "Yakshi": A visual ode to feminine divinity in 85 expressive paintings.
  • "Vastraapaharanam": A 6x4 ft reimagining of Krishna and the gopis, focused on purity and beauty.
  • "Three Girls": A tender portrayal of childhood, beloved for its emotional intimacy.
  • "Radhika": A 12x4 ft mural capturing Radha’s longing, housed in Hotel Royal Resoi, Mumbai.

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Monumental Projects and Conservation

Dr. Saju’s commitment extends beyond canvas. He led the restoration of several historic temples and completed massive mural works, including:

  • A 140-ft-long mural narrating the Mughal dynasty
  • A 140-ft Ramayana mural in Kerala style
  • The world’s largest Vishnumurti Theyyam mural (5,000+ sq. ft) at Kannur International Airport
  • A 70-ft mural at Cochin Airport portraying Kerala’s cultural richness

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A Living Legacy

With nearly 2,000 students trained, Dr. Thuruthil’s legacy is not just in his art but in his role as a mentor and movement leader. His works echo a timeless beauty—free from protest or anger, filled instead with grace, love, and reflection.

In a world rushing forward, Dr. Saju stands still—his brush rooted in tradition, his vision forever evolving. Through his silent dedication, he has given mural art a powerful voice, ensuring that Kerala’s visual heritage continues to thrive on a global canvas.

For collaborations or inquiries, please feel free to get in touch via www.sajuthuruthil.com.


From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 3, 2025

Parag Milk Foods Ltd., one of India’s leading dairy FMCG and nutrition companies, has announced the elevation of Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar, its rapidly growing sports and active nutrition brand. This strategic move underlines Parag’s strong belief in grooming internal talent and fostering leaders who exemplify its core values of performance, purpose, and passion.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Nitin joined Parag Milk Foods with a robust foundation in financial strategy and operations. Over time, he displayed remarkable agility, moving beyond the world of numbers to take on roles in marketing and brand building. His leadership has been instrumental in crafting impactful campaigns and positioning Avvatar as a credible, homegrown challenger to global protein brands—cementing consumer trust and driving the brand’s expansion in India’s health and wellness market.

Speaking on his new role, Nitin Kanodia shared,

“It has been an incredible journey — from decoding balance sheets to now decoding the minds of modern consumers. Avvatar is not just a product; it’s a mission to bridge India’s protein gap with clean, effective, and trusted nutrition. I look forward to scaling this brand to new heights, building stronger consumer trust, and innovating across formats.”

Akshali Shah, Executive Director, Parag Milk Foods Ltd., echoed these sentiments, saying,

“At Parag, we believe that when individuals grow, the organisation grows with them. Our culture is built on recognising performance, empowering potential, and giving people the freedom to evolve across functions and roles. Nitin’s progression from finance to marketing to now leading a high-growth brand like Avvatar is a reflection of this belief. We’re equally focused on bringing in strong leadership talent from outside and nurturing promising individuals from within. This balance is helping us build a future-ready organisation that values entrepreneurship, agility, and accountability at every level.”

As India witnesses a growing shift toward health-conscious lifestyles and protein-rich diets, Avvatar stands poised to play a pivotal role in this wellness transformation. With forward-thinking leadership and a talent-first approach, Parag Milk Foods continues to set benchmarks not only in product innovation but also in building a workplace where passion seamlessly meets purpose.


Pune Gas Enters North India with Delhi’s First Smart Gas Experience Centre, Eyes Over 7 Lakh Commercial LPG Users

Pune Gas Enters North India with Delhi’s First Smart Gas Experience Centre, Eyes Over 7 Lakh Commercial LPG Users

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 3, 2025

Pune Gas, a leading player in commercial and industrial gas systems, has marked a major milestone by opening North India’s first dedicated commercial and industrial LPG and Natural Gas Experience Centre in Okhla, Delhi. This is Pune Gas’ first owned centre and seventh overall, signalling a strong foray into the northern market.

The launch event saw the presence of Mr. Jaisinh Sampat, Founder & Managing Director, along with Mr. Jesal Sampat (Executive Director), Mr. Bhaven Udeshi (Director of Sales), Mrs. Radhika Oza (Director of Projects), and the North India team, underscoring the company’s commitment to growth in the region.

The new Delhi centre will act as a hub for businesses across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, offering hands-on demonstrations, expert consultations, and end-to-end solutions — from vaporizers to advanced gas safety systems.

Driving Cleaner, Efficient Energy Use

India consumed over 30,900 TMT of LPG in FY23, yet only 16% of this was by industrial and commercial sectors, many of which still rely on diesel, furnace oil, or even wood. In North India alone, over 7.12 lakh commercial LPG users face inefficiencies like cylinder freezing, losing 3–4 kg of gas daily. Pune Gas’ flagship LPGenius system directly addresses this, ensuring steady vaporisation and up to 30% savings on LPG costs.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Jaisinh Sampat said, “Delhi’s strategic position as an industrial and commercial hub makes it the perfect base. As MSMEs and industries grow, our mission is to drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability. With our systems already helping save nearly ₹1,400 crore annually by reducing fuel wastage, we’re excited to deepen our footprint here.”

Echoing this, Mr. Jesal Sampat added, “Through our Experience Centres, we are bridging the knowledge gap and making smart gas systems accessible to businesses of all sizes. As energy costs rise and sustainability norms tighten, industries need smarter, cleaner alternatives — exactly what we bring to the table.”

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What’s Inside Delhi’s Experience Centre?

Visitors to the new centre can explore:

  • LPGenius: The world’s first Smart LPG system, Made in India, designed for LOT 47.5 kg cylinders, ensuring no freezing and major cost savings — perfect for commercial kitchens and industries.

  • FuelFusion: A unique dual-fuel solution allowing diesel generators to run partly on LPG, slashing diesel usage without heavy retrofitting.

  • LeakCheck: A sleek, precise gas leak detection system enhancing safety for hotels, restaurants, and large facilities.

About Pune Gas

With a four-decade legacy, Pune Gas leads in gas-based energy systems, serving sectors from hospitality to manufacturing across India and 20 global markets. Their focus: cutting operational costs, boosting efficiency, and enabling a smooth shift to cleaner energy.

As Pune Gas rolls out its Delhi centre, it sets the stage for wider adoption of sustainable, cost-efficient gas systems across North India’s booming commercial and hospitality landscape.


Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas Welcomes Petr Pisecky as New General Manager

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas Welcomes Petr Pisecky as New General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 3, 2025

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, one of Qatar’s premier leisure destinations, has officially announced the appointment of Petr Pisecky as its new General Manager. With a distinguished hospitality career spanning nearly three decades across three continents, Petr brings a bold and visionary approach to lead the next chapter of this dynamic resort.

Located on Qatar’s scenic southwestern coastline, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas offers guests a comprehensive experience featuring a 3.5 km private beach, expansive Arabian Village, eforea spa, and 361 luxurious keys, including rooms, suites, villas, and townhouses. The resort is also home to Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park, one of the largest waterparks in the Middle East.

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“It’s a tremendous honour to lead such a landmark destination within Qatar’s vibrant and rapidly growing hospitality sector,” said Petr Pisecky. “Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas is a truly unique offering—a dynamic complex that blends leisure and adventure in one expansive setting. I’m delighted to be in Qatar and look forward to enhancing guest experiences and driving sustained success.”

Petr’s hospitality journey is a true testament to hard work and dedication, having risen from a waiter apprentice to General Manager. With more than 20 years at Hilton, he most recently led the pre-opening of a Hilton property in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and previously served as Cluster GM for DoubleTree by Hilton Riyadh Al Muroj and Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya.

His global career has also included impactful roles in China, Australia, the UAE, and his native Czech Republic, across key domains such as operations, business development, and guest services.

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Beyond work, Petr is a passionate sports enthusiast, devoted family man, and global traveller with a love for international cuisines.

As Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas continues to attract travellers seeking a world-class destination for leisure, adventure, and family experiences, Petr Pisecky’s leadership is set to steer the resort into a future defined by innovation, excellence, and elevated guest satisfaction.

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