Mannvasanai was the brainchild of Thilakrajan, a visionary from Chennai who embarked on a personal quest to provide healthy food for his first child. His journey led him to quit his job and dedicate his life to reviving traditional  foods, particularly traditional rice varieties. Alongside his wife Menaka, Thilak founded Mannvasanai, an  store that has grown to include a vast array of organic products such as rice, pulses, spices, millets, flours, oils, noodles, honey, earthen cooking vessels, eco living products, home gardening kits, and herbal products.

Thilakrajan dreamt of bringing back the lost and forgotten varieties of rice that were once a staple in Indian agriculture. Believing in the potential of these varieties, which had dwindled from over 150,000 to just a few hundred, Thilak envisioned a future where these nutritious grains were accessible to modern generations. His vision was to create awareness and accessibility regarding organic and eco-friendly products, ensuring that they are price worthy and beneficial for mankind.

Mannvasanai's mission is to foster harmony in life through the provision of healthy food and sustainable environmental practices. This commitment extends to continuous research to identify the best organic products directly sourced from producers. After Thilak's untimely passing, Menaka has continued this mission with zeal, engaging with the farming community and being recognized internationally for her efforts in promoting organic agriculture. Her recent achievement includes receiving the 'Assist World Records' award for cooking 100 varieties of organic rice in a single day, celebrating her late husband's birthday and legacy.