Author: Shanmi

“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

Published by Shanmi

“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 …

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

Published by Shanmi

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 …

“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

Published by Shanmi

“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 …

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

Published by Shanmi

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.

Published by Shanmi

“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” …

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”

Published by Shanmi

“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.

Published by Shanmi

“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 …

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RECIPE | Ksh Donny from Manipur Makes Japanese Onigirazu and Korean Kimbap using Local Black Rice

Published by Shanmi

Today, we have food blogger Ksh Donny from Manipur show us how to make the famous Japanese Onigirazu (rice sandwich) and Korean Kimbap using the famed Manipuri black rice. A passionate foodie, Donny loves experimenting with food whenever she gets any free time. Through these recipes, she shares how different cultures come together for the love of rice – and how each has their own version of a rice snack. So let’s find out how to make them! Note from Donny: “For the fillings, I have used both chicken sausage and tuna because these are my favorites, but you can use any filling you like; vegetarians can totally remove the meats – it’ll still be a healthy tasty treat.“ Food blogger from Manipur, Ksh Donny shares her version of Japanese Onigirazu and Korean Kimbap Using Local Black Rice. Ingredients : 3-4 sheets of Seaweed 250 gms Black rice 2 tbsp Sesame Oil 5-6 Eggs 2 Cucumbers 3-4 Carrots 10-12 slices of Radish Pickle 4-5 Chicken sausage 1 can of Tuna (~250 gm) Salt to taste Preparing the Ingredients: …

“I am Often Intrigued by Stories Behind The Face of a Stranger – A Vague Glimpse of Which, is Often Shared Through a Glowing Eye” ~ Helivi Zhimomi

Published by Shanmi

“I had almost forgotten about this photo.. came across it one day as I was clearing space in my camera. Just looking at the photo gave me so much peace – and my mind wandered to the place and time I took this photo. I vividly remember that moment – a passing moment while impatiently waiting for our cab to get through the toll gate on highway 55. It was in the evening hours … right before the afterglow; I have a loud ecstatic memory of the sunset glimmering behind as I traversed a straight road with fading music in the background. We stopped at one of the many toll gates on the highway. That’s when I saw this lady selling some local condiment (peanuts?) to people plying that highway. That moment. I took out my camera to capture her . . . with no particular reason. Maybe the same reason why my gallery is flooded with unfamiliar sights, documenting not the loud, but the silent details that catch my thoughts. When I saw her …

“I Want to Put North East India on The Global Fashion Map” – Fashion Designer Reena Ahanthem from Manipur Talks About Her Fashion Aspirations and Next Moves

Published by Shanmi

Fashion and North East India found each other as though they were always meant to be. Folks from this region and their aesthetics have pretty much guided the fashion direction of the country. With colorful cultures and customs that foster the revival of trends from the past – that are constantly being recycled by the young trendsetters to ensure that design influences from this region stay in vogue for a long long time – and into the future. Fashion designer Reena Ahanthem from Manipur is an exemplary figure whose own style and work seek to revive and reinvent traditional wear from North East India – and manages to put keep them fashionable even in modern times. Born with a natural taste for fashion, she decides to pursue her passion by joining a fashion school, and later teaming up with a friend to start their fashion label “Deepankshi and Reena.” After running the label for almost a decade and dressing many celebrities with their creations, Reena is nor ready to move forward with her own individual …