Month: July 2017

RootsandLeisure_Recipe

Recipe of Galho – Yummy Rice Dish from Nagaland

Published by kesangunuo

In Naga households, no meal is complete without rice, whether it’s lunch or dinner, or any snack in between, like rice roti or the hugely popular ‘Galho.’ Galho is a savory mix of rice, vegetables, and various types of meat, originally created by the Angami Naga tribe and now a beloved local favorite. If you’re interested in trying it out, it’s a simple dish to make, with all the ingredients easily available in any Naga kitchen. So why not give it a go and add a taste of Naga cuisine to your palate? Ingredients: 200 gms Rice 500 gms of smoked Beef/Pork 1 tablespoon of Axone (Fermented Soybean) Chopped pumpkin/squash leaves (or any green leafy vegetable) Ground green chilies (qty according to your preferred heat level) 500 ml water (or more, as required) Salt to taste Directions to Cook : Put water, axone, and ground green chilies into a pot and cook it for 5 minutes. Add salt to taste. Next, add the smoked beef/pork  (1/2″ cubes) into the pot and cook together for another …

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Using Art To Heal | Meet Artist Phatchara Pantanakul From Thailand

Published by Shweta Rao

Art has many purposes. As one of the greatest goods of human experience, art is used to teach, to urge, to challenge, to serve, and even to support a revolution! 29-year-old Thai Chinese artist Phatchara Pantanakul uses art to heal herself. This is her story.  What inspired you to turn to art? I went through a lot of stress at work. I had been relentlessly working in front of a computer, day after day, for six years. I couldn’t focus on anything, and that’s when I finally decided to quit my job. And suddenly, there was a lot of time on my hands.I decided to give myself some rest. I also began to draw again to treat my Major Depressive Disorder symptoms. I spent my time reading and going out for long walks. Gradually I picked up my interest in drawing again, and so began my journey towards healing my heart. Art was the best thing I did for myself.  I remember that I was always interested in drawing and coloring since I was in pre-elementary school. …

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Come Home to Delicious Cakes and Bakes | Interview with the Founder of Hetika Bakery and Cafe

Published by Kumti

Sometimes you yearn for a place where you can unwind, seek some peace and quiet – away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A place that is comfy, friendly and has the right ambience to relax in. The one place that immediately comes to mind is *Hetika Bakery and Cafe* – tucked away on a quiet corner just off the highway in Dimapur, Nagaland. Meet Vekutholu Vero – Baker and Owner of Hetika Bakery and Cafe, in Dimapur Nagaland, as she talks about her venture with our R&L member, Kumti Hi Veku, this place is such a charming place! So tell us how and when you started Hetika Bakery and Cafe? The cafe was launched in mid of last year (in 2016). The sole reason why I started this cafe is because I felt there aren’t many quality cake shops in Nagaland. We do have a lot of great bakers, but very few outlets where people can just walk into – whenever they have a craving for something nice and sweet. That’s where the whole …

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Sipping on Childhood Dreams | Meet the Founder of Dweller Teas – Eli Yambem

Published by Shweta Rao

Fresh, dynamic and young Eli Yambem brings us a story not very different from other young entrepreneurs of today.  Yambem was living the good life being a financial analyst at multinational firms in thriving cities like London and Singapore. But, a few years ago, Yambem had an epiphany.  And that’s where her story gets unique. Eli found the disconnect of staying away from her family and her home exhausting. But when she did begin looking for opportunities to move back home, she found there were none. Instead of sitting back and lamenting about it, Yambem took charge of the moment and asked herself, “Can I do something about it?” “I was born in Imphal (Manipur) and left home at the age of 12 for education. Fourteen years later, I decided to come back to live close to my family and work on Dweller full-time. Prior to this, I spent three years in London and Singapore, working as a Financial analyst and auditor respectively.” Inspired by the pure nature and culture around which she grew up, Yambem …

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Mutual Respect over Visual Divides | Story of a Wooden Gate in Arunachal

Published by Pooja Ghose

“The gate that divides two Brokpa (Yak herders) territories. Just a simple wooden gate and no barbed wires or fences or whatsoever. Because mutual respect for ethics is what matters, and not visual divides” ~ Photo & caption by @thetravelling_pants “This picture was taken when trekking through the route used only by Brokpas (yak herders) of Lubrang- Naga-GG belt. The wooden gate that you see here (in the photo) is supposedly the border – a mark of divide between the Brokpa territories. There is no tension between the two places, just a customary mark. Beautiful to observe how mutual respect for ethics is what matters and not visual divides.”  Lubrang and Naga-GG are both small villages that comes under Dirang circle of West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. This place is not known to any tourists yet, and it offers an exotic trek of about 2 and a half hours, probably 5 kms, give or take one. The trek route crosses some really breathtaking views. Green pastures and in them grazing mules, sheep and yaks, splendid alpine …

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Meet Kekhrie Ringa – Rising Broadway Style Singer from Nagaland

Published by Shweta Rao

Outspoken, yet cool-as-a-cucumber, budding artist and singer Kekhrie Ringa has never been a voice that blends into the background. Not surprisingly, she’s also one of the very few rising singing stars in the Broadway genre in India. In her own words, “I sing and teach vocals for a living” Kekhrie works at the Music Academy Kohima as a vocal teacher, and she is also a part of the gospel rock band ‘Fireflood’ – a seven-member band, based out of Bangalore. I sing and teach vocals for a living” Kekhrie Ringa, Nagaland Shweta Rao: Hey Kekhrie, feel so good to have you here with us! So tell us – who according to you – is Kekhrie Ringa? Kekhrie Ringa: I am a singer and a vocal teacher. I was born in Mokokchung, but I currently live in Kohima. I am a Broadway-style singer and admire Kirsten Chenoweth for her work in the genre. She is an amazing Broadway star. Also, Christina Aguilera was, is, and will forever be my favorite. I finished my Bachelor in Arts …

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Recipe | Easy to Cook Semolina Coconut Barfi

Published by Musky Miris

Today’s recipe comes from our reader, Musky. It’s an original recipe of a sweet dish – Coconut Semolina Barfi. A personal favorite of the contributor and one that requires simple ingredients and is hassle free to prepare. So let’s get started! Ingredients: 1 and ½ cups Shredded Coconut 2 cups Semolina 1 cup Sugar 2 and ½ cups Warm Water 3 tablespoons Oil or melted Ghee An array of Dry Fruits (Cashew nuts, dried dates, dried coconut, Kishmish, Almonds) Cherry – for Garnish   Directions to Cook : In a pan, heat the shredded coconut along with half a cup of sugar – until the sugar melts, and the coconut acquires a translucent color. Set it aside. Heat a wok, pour oil and add the semolina. Fry until the semolina turns a golden brown color. Put the flame on low heat, and add the dry fruits and the coconut-sugar mix. Mix it well and cook for 1-2 minutes. Keep stirring continuously. Add another half a cup of the sugar and mix well. Add the warm …

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Bringing Forward Untold Stories | Meet Rita Krocha – Founder of PenThrill Publication House

Published by Shweta Rao

Rita Krocha is a writer’s writer. An owner of opinions that act as a cut-through voice in the noise that is contemporary literature. Which is to say that she has gone through the grind of a typical journalist and penned interesting stories throughout her career. As the owner of her book publishing company, PenThrill Publication House, Krocha is aiming to take that journey further. Read on to know more about Krocha, the simple writer behind some of the most intricately laden Indian fiction books today. Hi Rita, tell us a bit about yourself. When did you start working as a writer? My name’s Vishü Rita Krocha and I’m 34. I have a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication. I started my career in journalism as a weekly columnist in 2006 and later joined Eastern Mirror Daily in 2008 as a news correspondent and continued to write for them for five years. Later, I found myself interested in learning about the publishing industry. That’s why I decided to go for a certificate course in Book Publishing …

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Cosplay is a Serious Game for These Indian Cosplayers from Nagaland

Published by Roots & Leisure

Folks here’s an update on yet another Cosplay event organized by the Nagaland Anime Junkies. Some people say it’s just a fad but the passion of the organizers and the participants alike, seem to show otherwise. Let’s watch and see what comes out of this interesting (literal) cultural play, but for now let us enjoy the elaborate dress-ups and the performances by the cosplayers. Here is a glimpse of what went down at NAJ (Nagaland Anime Junkies) Cosfest 2017, that was held in Kohima, Nagaland. Cosplayer Lanujungshila Imchen, as 2B Nier from Automata Cosplayer Kevitshetuo Sekhose as Joker from Suicide Squad. Cosplayer Grace Soukhrie as Sona from League of Legends Cosplayer Ayim as Raiden, Jack the Ripper from the game, Metal Gear Rising – Revengeance Cosplayer Ayim as Monokuma from the videogame,  DanganRonpa Photo Courtesy : HOPONG CHANG – official photographer for NAJ COSFEST 2017 South east Asian cultures, especially those of Japan and Korea, have an unmissable influence in shaping the pop-culture in Nagaland. The way the dress, the art forms used to express themselves, the food they …

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Faces | I Love Cosplay Because It Helps Me Express Myself Better

Published by Pooja Ghose

  “This is my third year of cosplaying in the Cosfest organized by NAJ – Nagaland Anime Junkie. In the first year (2015), I dressed up as an anime maid, and worked at the Anime Maid Cafe. It was so much fun! Second year, I dressed up as ‘Madam Red’ from the anime series ‘Black Butler’. This year I am dressed as ‘Sona’ from League of Legends. I got the costume made through a local tailor here, and I got the wig as a gift from my aunt. She bought it for me when she went on a trip abroad. Cosplay is special because it takes me to a world of anime – which I love so much  – as it helps me to express myself better”  ~ Visazonuo Grace Suokhrie, Student Visazonuo Grace Suokhrie cosplaying as Sona’ from League of Legends.