Month: March 2017

RootsandLeisure_MekhelasNortheast

This is How Fashionable Women from Northeast India Wear their Mekhelas

Published by Lungzeu

We’ve grown up watching the women in our lives wearing the mekhela so effortlessly, either in the traditional form or with an unconventional twist. Usually seen as traditional attire, mekhela has stood the test of time and is still an essential part of our lives today. Thanks to the young women from Northeast India, always looking for innovative ways to ramp up their wardrobe – and most likely, with borrowed inspiration from their mothers. Let’s take a look at how different women style their mekhelas. [You can also buy yourself a Naga Mekhela and other traditional jewelry on our R&L Store HERE]” Mizo ladies in their traditional mekhelas ‘Puan’ paired with trendy tops and accessories. [You can also buy yourself a Naga Mekhela and other traditional jewelry on our R&L Store HERE] Yakching looking lovely in her Naga silk mekhela paired with a white bell-sleeve top, perfect for a day out. [You can also buy yourself a Naga Mekhela and other traditional jewelry on our R&L Store HERE] Valentina in all her elegance, in a pastel-toned …

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Travel to Pasighat in Arunachal | A Surreal Getaway to NorthEast India

Published by Kumti

Pasighat, the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh has all it takes to be considered a traveler’s paradise. From sightseeing attractions, trekking, and a vibrant local market, the place has it all. Also called as the land of the rising sun, you will not be disappointed to have ventured into this whimsical town and will let you have your own moment of epiphany.  Here is a list of some of the popular spots we would suggest you to visit, in case you are planning to visit Pasighat, any time soon.    Love nature and wilderness? Spend a day at the Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary. This place is a haven for animal and nature lovers. Situated on an island, with an unending stretch of mesmerising backdrop, the sanctuary is beyond breathtaking. Known for its faunal diversity, it is a home to numerous animals like deer, wild elephants, buffaloes. Also, migratory birds such as cranes, wild ducks, storks, waterfowls and hornbill adorn the entire place during the month of September to February making it a cheerful sight.   Go river-rafting …

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Baking Bread for the Soul | Meet the Lovely Duo Behind Flour Flour Bakery in Chiang Mai

Published by Roots & Leisure

When we got introduced to Dontree Siribunjongsak, 27 and his girlfriend Namfon Udomlertlak, 29 through a friend, we were immediately drawn to their story about their obsession with baking – and their luscious breads. Less than a year ago, they started a bakery called ‘Flour Flour’ after calling it quits from their boring jobs; and by the looks of it, their passion venture has definitely taken wings in the right direction. Let’s meet the lovely duo behind ‘Flour Flour’ bakery in Chiang Mai, Thailand, who has turned baking bread into an experience of creating art – and now a dream venture. Hi Dontree, we are absolutely in love with your handmade bread! What’s so special about ‘Flour Flour’? Flour Flour is a bakery that attempts to create homely handmade bake stuff using local ingredients. Our aim is to make artisan bread [bread that is hand-crafted and not mass produced] of superior quality. We use natural fermentation technique to make our breads.What we make depends a lot on our mood or rather, what we want to eat on a …

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Portraits and Weddings | Photographer Atsen Murry of Pixel Stories, Shares His Story.

Published by Shweta Rao

Though a lot of photographers seek to bring a soft touch to weddings through their work, Atsen Murry takes his clients’ most celebrated moments to another level. Very few artists provide quite the insider’s view through photos as beautifully as Atsen Murry – the photographer behind ‘Pixel Stories’. Murry’s Pixel Stories is a collection of photographs of ordinary people looking extraordinarily beautiful. Given his popularity, we wanted to learn more about the technique that makes it happen. Thankfully, we recently had the opportunity to ask Atsen a few questions about his work and what makes him tick. How did photography happen to you? I spent the first 15 years of my life in Nagaland. I have always had the bent of mind and cravings of an artist. In the beginning, I found a creative outlet in music, especially in composing tunes. I am still into compositions – sometimes with musical notes, and at other times with light. I did try out some conventional pursuits because of social pressure, like getting done with my pre-university degree in science from …

RootsandLeisure_LukkaChuppi

Ishani Kanani of Lukka Chhupi talks about her Creative Journey

Published by Darshana Shukul

Lukka Chhupi is to Ishani Kanani what The Chocolate Factory is to Willy Wonka. It’s an expression of urges. Kanani has created an infused mix of bright, quirky and spunky products that can liven up even the dead. Brimming with hand-crafted products using traditional textiles with block prints and tempestuous floral and unwavering geometric patterns, the venture is a box of sweet goodies that makes the heart sing for more. We sat down with the founder of Lukka Chhupi for a talk to learn more about her creative journey.  Lukka Chhupi is an interesting name for a brand. What’s the story behind the decision? Lukka Chhuppi germinated as an idea and a desire to create a scrapbook of sorts; a collection of memories in the form of fabrics accumulated from various places of visit. It is a collection of memories. It is a journey as well as a destination. The story behind the name, on the other hand, begs little to no attention, as it is one of spontaneity and the spur of the moment. ‘Lukka …

RootsandLeisure_TinFish

Recipe | Mackerel Tin Fish in Bamboo Shoot

Published by Vilme

Hello! This recipe is for all the busy ones who need to fix a simple yet delicious meal in 15 minutes. So make sure you try this tin fish recipe for your dinner, next time. INGREDIENTS 1 tin / can of fish (we have used mackerel for this dish) 5 cloves of garlic 5 dried red chilly 1 medium sized onion 3 tablespoons of bamboo shoot 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil 1 cup of water DIRECTION TO COOK Heat the oil in a pan. Saute the onions and chillies Mash the garlic and toss them into the pan and fry until light golden brown Pour the canned fish (along with the brine), into the pan. Add bamboo shoot and water Cook on low flame till the water dries up Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with rice.  

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On Reality, Records and Rap | Borkung Hrangkhawl

Published by Shweta Rao

Times are a-changing. India’s underground rap scene is gradually making an appearance with artists passionately rapping about social issues. Fans in the movement have quickly favored rants placed neatly around American hip-hop beats, and addressing issues like corruption, identity crisis, poverty and human rights. We had the pleasure of interviewing Borkung Hrangkhawl, better known as BK, a standout talent in the hip-hop scene. BK is among the rare glitch-hop rappers in India, blending elements of hip-hop and dubstep with a bold lyrical style and fearless musical delivery that have truly shaken up the Indian music scene. BK started out performing with New Delhi’s hip-hop group Dropsquad, and went on to release his debut album in 2013 along with Ina (his DJ), Lima Kichu (bassist), and Emmanuel (guitarist).  From winning “Superstars ” and VIMA Music Awards, to having one of the fastest spreading Indian indie videos on the internet, BK has never looked back. For an artist who is independently moving forward on a musical endeavor, BK is big on bringing other local talents to the limelight. …

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ML 05 Cafe Shillong | A Biker’s Retreat Nestled in the Lap of Nature

Published by Pooja Ghose

Dear readers, are you ready to discover your next favorite hangout spot in Shillong? Well, we just discovered this cafe called ‘ML 05’ on 5th Mile, Upper Shillong. With its custom-themed decor and ambiance reflecting the owner’s love of sports, bikes, and travel, it is indeed the perfect retreat/haven for bikers and travelers alike. We spent a cozy evening at ML 05 Cafe on an evening stroll around Upper Shillong, and had some yummy comfort food like wai wai thukpa, onion bhajia – with our favorite cup of hot chai. Located right beside a pine forest, the outdoor view was just as pleasant as the ambiance inside. This new cafe has only begun operations in May last year (2016), but it comes as no surprise that it is already one of the favorite spots for locals and tourists around the region. We had a tete-a-tete with Vatsala Tibrewalla, who manages the cafe along with her brother Deval Tibrewalla, who also co-owns the Dylan’s Cafe with her. How did you come up with the idea for ML 05 …

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Dry Fish Chutney with King Chilli – Assamese Style

Published by Pooja Ghose

Have you ever tried Dry Fish? It’s smell might be a little too intense for most people, but give us a chance here. The chutney recipe that we are going to share today, might just change your taste buds and your opinion about the (smelly) dry fish! This chutney is made with king chilli preserved in mustard oil, dried fish and roasted tomato. It’s a very popular in the Northeast region, and is usually had as a side dish.  Photo courtesy: Ashapurna Phukan (@ashaphukan) Ingredients you’ll need: 20 gms of Dry Fish 1 medium-sized tomato 1 onion  1-inch of ginger  4-5 cloves of garlic 1/2 tsp of red chilli powder 1 tsp of King or Ghost chili – infused in mustard oil Salt to taste Note: Infused chilli oil is made my preserving oil (preferably mustard) and King/Ghost chillies together in a glass jar/container. Place the container in a warm and dry place for a couple of days, until it’s ready to be consumed. Directions to cook: Roast the dry fish in a frying pan for 5 minutes …