Author: Nara Longkumer

Rootsandleisure_Andrea Kevichusa

This 17-Year-Old Model from Nagaland Might be India’s Next Supermodel – Meet Andrea Kevichusa

At just 17 years old and standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall, Andrea Kevichusa from Nagaland is already making waves in the modeling industry. Her portfolio is filling up fast with heavyweight assignments, including collaborations with fashion icons like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Piaf, as well as many international projects. With her confidence and maturity at such a young age, she is definitely on the right path to becoming another supermodel from Northeast India, following in the footsteps of supermodel Leno Kense from Nagaland. “I started modeling as a hobby when I was 15, and doors started opening up for me. I am still in school, but I also work as a part-time model under an agency in Mumbai,” she says. Andrea’s journey from a small-town girl to a rising star in the big city is a perfect teenage dream, and her story is one that warms and excites our hearts at the same time. Here’s an exclusive interview with Andrea Kevichusa from Nagaland, as we delve into her modeling career, balancing school and work, …

RootsandLeisure_the Hammock Resort

Explore Nagaland Beyond the Main Towns by Checking into “The Hammock Resort” in Wokha – a Local Traveler’s Hub

  Travelers to Nagaland and even local folks would be delighted to know that there’s another great way to explore Nagaland – beyond the main towns of Kohima and Dimapur. By checking into a resort in Wokha district – a local traveler’s hub. Our contributor is walks us through “The Hammock Resort” in Wokha district, giving us a good glimpse of the place and the surrounding areas.  Also worthy to note that Hornbill may be celebrated every year in Kohima, but for the locals, Wokha is a place for daily recreation 🙂 Hordes of travelers between Kohima and Mokochung often stop over at Wokha for their meals or afternoon tea – with a plate of freshly made crispy Naga sticky rice roti. So with the place already a hub for local travel and meetups, and located conveniently between Kohima and Dimapur, travelers can enjoy one more pitstop in the lap of nature and comfort to explore Nagaland in a pace that is recommended – unrushed and relaxed. We chat with Ronjamo Murry – one of the founders …

RootsandLeisure_Akhila Johny

“Art is Dear to Me and an Inseparable Part of My Identity.” – Paris-based Art Student Akhila Johny from Kerala

“Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art.” this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a fitting line for our young artist from Kerala – Akhila Johny. This 24-year-old artist now lives in Paris as an art student – not just in the classroom, but also as a resident of yet another new place. At 18, her passion for art led her to Singapore and that explorer in her continues to take her places! “Through Art, I’m rediscovering how I see the world around me. Art is expression, Art is communication and in the simple moments of everyday life, I glimpse another story that is waiting to be told.“ We had a chat with Akhila Johny (who btw, is one of the sweetest people we came across), to talk about her artistic philosophies, what it means to be an art student for life and her future plans. Hello, Akhila. Please introduce yourself. Hello! I am a 24- year-old Artist from Kerala, India. At 18, I moved to Singapore for my Applied Art studies. Since …

RootsandLeisure_Tokaholi Chishi

The Serious & Soulful Singer/Songwriter from Nagaland – Tokaholi Chishi

Gifted with a flair to write verses and compose melodies, Tokaholi Chishi, is a musician with perfervid passion whose narratives resonate a perfect  balance of singing and story-telling.  We had a chat with Tokaholi to talk about her love for music, her life, and her roots. Hello! Could you tell us briefly about yourself? My name is Tokaholi Chishi and I live in Dimapur. I write songs and I play the acoustic guitar (albeit not very skilfully) , I try to voice out my passion in undulating tunes, just like life- some times high, some times low! What is your process when it comes to composing songs and what kind of genre do you prefer? I like to write, whether it is poetry or a story. I  add melody and soul as mediums to communicate and connect with the listeners. Music serves as a great tool to tell stories, that’s my primary goal and when it comes to a genre there is no fixed style. (independent music would hopefully fit the bill).   When did …

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These Cosplayers from Nagaland are Redefining Cosplay Culture in India | Day 1 of Cosfest 2018, Kohima

It’s already been a week since the curtains closed in on the Cosfest event 2018, organized by the Nagaland Anime Junkies in Kohima Nagaland, but we are still high on the creativity displayed by the organizers and the cosplayers. This year, the R&L team finally got to experience the event first hand, and to say we are awestruck is an understatement.  The dedication put up by the organizers to bring this event to life is next level – equalled passionately by the creativity and enthusiasm of the cosplayers and attendees. Avid anime fans coming together to create the perfect event for all anime lovers. And not just anime, the event covers music, art, game, food, you name it. Here is one last glimpse of NAJ Cosfest 2018, which, by the way, is their sixth year. You read that right. SIXTH! And by the looks and what we hear of the event, it just keeps getting better and better. Scroll down below for photos and video from Day 1 of the event.  Organising team and Cosplayers enjoying a …

RootsandLeisure_NAJCosfest2018_group

Nagaland Anime Junkies are Back with Cosfest 2018 with “Anime Attack”

The most exciting month in Nagaland in here. July is synonymous with Cosfest in this town, and everyone knows what this event is about. Nagaland Anime Junkies is back again this 7th and 8th July and we are all invited. What theme you ask? Anime Attack. How exciting. We get to see kids and adults alike, cosplaying our favorite characters and acting them out. And to make things more exciting, there is an online gaming spot, live performances by the hottest bands, DJ’s and Beat boxers, and screening of movies by Makoto Shinkai, and many more! Save the time and date. You don’t want to miss this. It’s bigger and better. July 7: 10 AM to 6 PM July 8: 12 PM to 6 PM Venue: The Heritage, Old DC Bungalow, Kohima. Entry fee: Kids: Rs 50; Others: Rs 100 Roots and Leisure Goes Behind the Scenes   The Roots and Leisure team visited the venue (The Heritage, Kohima), the night before the event to get a glimpse of the preparations, and to catch up with …