Month: January 2019

Move Over K-POP Girl Bands! Here’s “5feet” – An All Girls Dance Group From North-East Of India

We recently caught up with “5 feet”, an all-girls dance troupe from North East India. Comprising of four ladies from Arunachal, Mizoram and Manipur, all four have separate full time work and engagements, but dance is a common passion that led them to each other – and performances across the country and beyond. Having won awards across dance categories, participating in India’s Got Talent, and representing India at the India-Korea Sarang festival. These 4 have taken their passion to serious new heights indeed! Today, we chat with them to know more about their passion for dance and their performances across the world. A chat with the group,”5feet” from the north-east of India comprising of four charming and talented ladies. They talk to us about how the band got together, their passion for dance and what they do when not on stage! Hello girls, good to have you here! Please introduce us to your lovely group “5feet”. Hello! Thank you for having us. 5 feet is an all female group that loves to dance, sing and perform …

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A Passionate Writer, Yuimi Vashum From Manipur Talks About Empowering Victims of Sexual Violence In Her Debut Book, “Love, Lust And Loyalty”

They say when you want to bring about changes, it starts with uncomfortable conversations. We have a very passionate writer with us today, Yuimi Vashum from Ukhrul, Manipur whose work picks up emotions, feelings and humanity to create powerful poems. In her latest book, “Love, Lust and Loyalty”, she talks about the horrific experiences she went through as a child and through this book, she hopes to speak for the kids who are going through the same in silence. The book is a collection of poems where she talks about sexual violence, relationships and womanhood. We chat with Yuimi to know more about her and her debut poetry collection. Yuimi Vashum, a survivor of a child sexual abuse is here to convey the message to all the victims of sexual violence not to be shameful and fearful about raising their voice through her book, “Love. Lust. And Loyalty”. Hello Yuimi! Good to have you here, please introduce a little about yourself. Hi! My name is Yuimi Vashum, 28 and I’m from Ukhrul, Manipur. I am a …

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“I Revisit My Fond Memories of Exploring Hidden Places Through My Art” Self-Taught Artist Srijana from Darjeeling Takes Us Into Her World of Timeless Destinations

“I picked up art again after a long hiatus – and today I use it as a form of meditation.” Self-taught artist Srijana from Darjeeling chats with Roots and Leisure about her passion for travel and storytelling – and how she welcomes people into her world through her beautiful sketches. True to this motive, we can’t help but wander into the quiet charm of the many corners, she showcases through her art. We delve deeper into her world to know more about the person and the artist behind these surreal works of art. Here is her story. R&L chats with artist and storyteller, Srijana who grew up in the misty hills of Darjeeling, West Bengal. She talks about her love for art and travel, which are now sources of meditation and calm – and how she combines the two through her series of sketches. Photo: Srijana, an artist and storyteller from Darjeeling, West Bengal. Hi Srijana, so nice to have you here with us! Please introduce yourself to our readers. Hello! My name is Srijana, the self-styled …

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In Conversation With “Red Light Passengers” – A North Eastern Pop Rock Band Based Out Of Delhi

The future belongs to the youths of today – and the leaders of tomorrow are the ones who are doing something within their reach to make a positive impact. In this world of unlimited access, we are empowered in so many ways to be heard and be seen. All we need is a heart filled with passion, and dedicated hard work towards championing our cause and spread the message. We can use art, music, stories, and more to get started.. Today we are talking music – and how it can empower one to champion their cause(s). Music can communicate in powerful ways. It can bring about awareness, enlighten and inspire, and connect like-minded listeners from all over. Today we have a band from North East India, who are doing their bit through their music, to bring about positive change. With the vision to bring hope to the society through their music, “Red Light Passengers” came together as a band eight years ago. This band of 7 musicians from Nagaland and Manipur, they are based out …

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#RECIPE | Learn How to Make “Pitika” – Eggplant Chutney from Assam

This one is for the chutney lovers. Today we learn how to make an interesting roasted eggplant chutney called “Pitika”, contributed by Puravee Bordoloi from Assam –  a passionate home chef, and an advocate by profession.  Pitika is an eggplant chutney – a side dish that is almost always present in any authentic Assamese thali/platter. It’s a simple chutney that needs only a handful of ingredients, but has a mouthful of flavors. So let’s find out how to make this interesting chutney from Assam! Find out how to make the famous “Pitika” – an Assamese chutney prepared with egg plant, tomatoes, chilli and Coriander Ingredients : 1 Eggplant (Bigger eggplants are preferable) 1 medium Tomato 1 Onion  (finely chopped) 3-4 chillies (finely chopped) 1 tsp of mustard oil Fresh coriander leaves chopped Roasted sesame powder (optional) Salt to taste Ingredients for Assamese chutney “Pitika”  (L to R, clockwise): chopped coriander leaves, roasted eggplant, tomato, onion, chillies and ginger. Directions to Cook: Prick the eggplant with a fork and smear some oil all over it Now roast the eggplant and …

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“A Trek To Dzukou Valley – So Pristine, You Will Feel Like You Are In Heaven” – Antariksha Rajkumari From Assam Goes Trekking To Dzukou Valley With Her Friends

“This picture was taken one pleasant afternoon of October last year – on our trek to Dzukou Valley, located at the border of the states of Manipur and Nagaland in North-East India. It was five of us and we are all college mates. This trip, so far has to be the most memorable trip I have ever taken and my friends said the same. We enjoyed every single moment of it, being away from the hustle and bustle of city life. We were least bothered by the unavailability of electricity and phone networks because of the blissful moments we were enjoying such as bonfire, music, long conversations, etc. We spent two nights completely under the sky light and it was an amazing experience. Hands down! Dzukou Valley is one of the most beautiful place on Earth – so pristine, that you will feel like you are in heaven.” – Antariksha Kumari Antariksha Rajkumari and her friends, trekking to Dzukou Valley – located at the border of the states of Manipur and Nagaland in north-east India. Antariksha and her …

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Students in Shillong from Across NorthEast India, Share What’s Trending | Winter Fashion 2019

Winter in Shillong can be pretty extreme with temperatures dropping as low as 3-4°C. While other parts of the country are warming up with the arrival of January, most states of North East India are experiencing one of the coldest months of the winter season. Well, the cold may dampen your mood on some days, but we at R&L believe in making the most out of every situation. Here, the silver lining comes in varied shades of trends and colors as young folks in Shillong dress for the occasion – that of a cold winter’s day with the last leg of festivities still lingering in the air.  So today, we have Rinyo Valui from Shillong walk the streets of Shillong and take us through the trends rocking the local fashion scene. A first glimpse tells us that there’s more to this season than the usual monochromatic knitwears and black high waisted jeans. The hottest trends in Shillong this season? Turtle neck, beret and beanies, thigh high boots and long coats. So let’s find out what’s trending straight …

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“Exploring New Places Teaches Us New Things While Also Making Us Realise How Special Our Own Home and Culture Is” – Dental Student And Traveller Thlamuanpuii From Mizoram Shares her Travel Stories.

“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves – in finding themselves.” – Andre Gide Whether it is the first time you watch a sunset over the ocean or the first time you reach the summit of a mountain, the magical feelings you get when you experience the world in it’s most natural form is often unforgettable…and fills you with happy stories that last a lifetime. So they say travelling does good for the mind and soul. We have Emmy today from Mizoram who travels to disconnect from her daily life – to recharge. “Travel opens up a new world filled with new learnings and inspirations..” Let’s see what she has to share from her many travels! We had a chat with Thlamuanpuii aka Emmy, dental student from Mizoram who has a deep passion for travel. We reached out to her to find out more about her travelling adventures, some useful travel tips and more. Introduce a little about yourself! My name is Thlamuanpuii (23) but I’m better known as “Emmy” …

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A Chat With The First Ever Folktronica Band Of Nagaland, MET3T | “We Want To Make Our People Feel Special About Our Roots Through Our Music”

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” – Victor Hugo In this world, we often find inspirations that draw out our talent in so many forms. Music is one of them, and for the band members of MET3T, making music through the inspirations of Naga folk songs and the current EDM genre, they wish to empower the people through their roots. Today, we are happy to introduce to you the band MET3T as they talk to us about how they formed the band and what has inspired them to create their unique genre of music. Let’s find out everything about how the folktronic band, MET3T from Nagaland got together and how they had expanded their genre by infusing EDM and Folk. Hello Guys!! Please introduce yourself. Metet Jamir : I’m the vocalist of our band, MET3T. I have performed at Military Tattoo Festival Edinburgh, Scotland, former Heritage In-house Band. Temjen : The guitarist, former Heritage in-house band guitarist. Akum Aier : The bassist, former bassist of OFF …

“I Honestly Feel That Anything Close To Me Inspires Me To Draw, You Don’t Have To Look Far” – Keneisenuo, A Visual Artist From Nagaland Talks To R&L About Her Work And Inspirations.

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it” – Ansel Adams It’s not everyday that you come across someone who takes in every minute detail of the world. But we’ve met Keneisenuo, who views the small things in life we tend to ignore and create something beautiful through her lovely art. And for us to feature someone inspiring in our blog always makes us happy. Take a look as Kenei talks about her work and what inspires her to create such lovely artwork. We had a chat with the very creative artist and illustrator Keneisenuo from Kohima, Nagaland. She talks about spending all her free time drawing and how the rough experiences she went through inspired her to deliver better works. Hello Kenei! Tell us a little about yourself. Hi! I’m Keneisenuo but I’m better known as, Kenei. I am from Kohima, Nagaland and I’m currently working as a Visual artist for a company called Vebbler based out of Bangalore, India. Whenever I get free time, I draw anything that inspires me and also try …