ISLAMABAD: Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture and the British Council, has launched Pakistan’s first “Museum of Food,” a digital hub featuring the rich and diverse culinary landscape of the South Asian country, Obaid-Chinoy’s firm said on Tuesday.
The digital museum is the largest and most comprehensive exploration of Pakistani cuisine online that features more than 9,000 Images, 90 videos and over 100 stories, capturing the vibrant culinary tapestry of the country seamlessly interwoven with recipes from the diaspora, an essential contribution from their UK-based co-creators, W.M.Legacy.
The project aims to preserve and celebrate the culture and heritage of Pakistani food that is threatened by climate-related challenges as well as to document its dynamic evolution and progression, according to a statement by Obaid-Chinoy’s SOC Films.
“Pakistan’s culinary heritage is an intrinsic part of the country’s cultural identity, but with the passing of generations and the challenges brought about by climate change, certain domestic practices and traditional recipes are at high risk of being lost,” said Obaid-Chinoy, the project director.
“In response to this looming crisis, we embarked on a mission to not just reminisce about the flavors of yesteryears, but to actively preserve and revitalize the vanishing recipes and customs that define our past.”
She hoped the project would inspire people to explore, appreciate and enjoy the vibrant culinary culture, lineage and food practices of Pakistan as well as to contribute their own stories and recipes to this living narrative.
To highlight Pakistan’s culinary and cultural diversity, Obaid-Chinoy and her team, together with Google Arts & Culture, explored the genesis of iconic dishes from the coastal allure of Gwadar’s seafood to Multan’s decadent Sohan Halwa, and the innovative incorporation of yak meat in Hunza, according to the statement.
The crew traveled through Pakistan’s varied terrain to illuminate how regional topography molds the nation’s distinct eating patterns, capturing traditional dining practices and tracing the nuanced impact of modernization on the nation’s evolving taste palate. The project embraces a collaborative spirit, inviting individuals to join in its pursuit to archive Pakistan’s culinary heritage and its dynamic progression.
Amit Sood, the founder and director Google Arts & Culture, described the museum as an “online feast for the senses” and said they were thrilled to unveil their latest exhibition on Google Arts & Culture, dedicated to the vibrant flavors and rich culture of Pakistan.
“From the mountains of the north to the bazaars of the south, Pakistan is a land of diverse landscapes and traditions, all of which are reflected in its cuisine,” Sood said. “We hope users can fully immerse themselves in the many wonders of this amazing country through our largest digital hub about Pakistan.”
The British Council was delighted to have supported this important project about Pakistan’s diverse culinary practices that had been beautifully collated and shared by its partners, said Laila Jamil, who works as the British Council’s Pakistan arts director.
“This support was possible through our Gender Ecologies Grant Programme, which explores the intersection of women, climate change and the arts. Food cultures give us insights into people’s customs, agricultural traditions, climatic conditions and their flora and fauna,” she said.
“They also have a direct impact on our health, the health of our planet and our understanding of self. We hope this ‘Museum of Food’ acts as a platform to inspire a wider effort to collect and share these practices and a chance to explore the stories that come with them.”
