When Nashik-based archaeologist Sojwal Sali was a little boy, he used to watch his grandfather write in Marathi but in a script that was different from what was taught at school. He was particularly intrigued by his grandfather's unusual signature. The script, he soon learnt, was called Modi, believed to have been introduced in 1260 AD in the Yadava Dynasty by the then Prime Minister Hemadri (Hemadpant).

Although at the time, Sali did not bother to learn it, despite his grandfather's insistence, years later he was to rediscover its charm.