Author: Shweta Rao

RootsandLeisure_BorkungHrangkhawl

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. …

RootsandLeisure_MahimaNanda

Travelling Solo and Without Money, to the Northeast by Mahima Nanda

Published by Shweta Rao

Remember the last time you found yourself at an airport? Imagine yourself finding your way through a railway station’s busy footfalls, sweaty and tired and worried about the debt you’re racking up by spending thousands of rupees to go to yet another dream getaway. And while you’re at it, occasionally your eyes catch a glimpse of someone like Mahima Nanda. This female solo traveller, who is also an Arts student from JNU at New Delhi, is one of those incredibly put-together people who never seem fazed by train delays, flight cancellations or other hassles that inevitably come with travel. And there’s a reason she looks so sanguine: her latest trip to the beautiful Kashmir and Ladakh has cost her ZERO rupees. Mahima Nanda is in her second year towards pursuing a BA (Hons) in French degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She was born in Guwahati but spent most of her childhood in Dehradun, New Delhi, and Mumbai. Mahima is an ardent nature lover and likes to spend time walking or biking in …

RootsandLeisure_Suraj

Suraj Nongmaithem: Connecting People through Photography

Published by Shweta Rao

It is so fascinating to see people who showcase sheer brilliance with different forms of art. Be it music, dance, writing or photography, each artform is a powerful tool to either express yourself or simply explore society and more specifically, its people. Meet Suraj Nongmaithem from Manipur, who is working as a design consultant in Singapore. He reached out to R&L, and we were more than happy to know more about him. His work takes inspiration from a mix of cultures – and at the same time, aspires to find a common thread that runs across each one of us – irrespective of where we come from. Hi Suraj, tell us a little bit about yourself. I’m originally from Manipur, but I’ve lived all across India, thanks to my dad who’s with the Indian Armed Force. I am currently working as a design consultant for a company in Singapore. I plan to do my masters in photography from a fine arts college in Europe (currently awaiting an acceptance letter). I have also freelanced for Rolling Stones India. How …

RootsandLeisure_Ziro

Folks! Ziro Festival of Music 2016 is Happening!

Published by Shweta Rao

What’s Ziro you ask? Only the most fun outdoor music festival in India! The Ziro Festival of Music is set up at Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh and is scheduled to enthrall Indian music fans from 22 – 25 September 2016. For the uninitiated, Ziro sums up as a place to experience a brilliant mashup of Indian indie music scene in the heart of India’s most underrated travel destinations of all time! The Ziro Festival of Music is India’s youngest music festival featuring independent artists compared to the likes of  NH7 Weekender Series and Chasing Storm Festival. But its founding fathers Bobby Hano, who manages independent alternative rock band Yesterdrive, and Menwhopause guitarist, Anup Kutty are on to a good thing here. Because if it weren’t, Ziro Festival wouldn’t have been as magical and enchanting as it was. See it for yourself [recap of Ziro 2015] And this year, IndiaTrail’s founder and chief traveller Rohan Abraham is heading out with his fellow travellers to be a part of this musical experience. Driving up from Tezpur (Assam), it looks …

RootsandLeisure_StoneArt

Turning Pebbles to Art by Iboli Zhimo

Published by Shweta Rao

Do you ever wonder about all the tales one would unravel if all the stones around us could start talking? Mother Nature has countless mysteries laid out around us. They’ve laid silently for a thousand years and more, and eventually us humans have forgotten to take notice of her. Except for a few artists among us – who take the time to pause, listen and create. Meet Iboli Zhimo who’s making random stones tell beautiful stories. Iboli is based out of the small town of Satakha under the Zunheboto district in Nagaland.  She works as a pebble artist for Regalia Entertainment in the state and is also pursuing a Masters degree in History. Zhimo fell in love with this unique art form because of its challenging nature. With sheer dedication and passion, Zhimo sets out to find the fitting pieces for her creations. And find she does. Take a look yourself. Also, you can buy her unique pebble arts on the R&L SHOP Elvis Etched In Stone Tree of Life Happy Stones – Music, Dance and Fun! Iboli Zhimo with …

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The Lady Who Makes Cuddly Crochet Dolls | Ashibo

Published by Shweta Rao

Someone wise once said, “There are two kinds of people in the world – those who love dolls and those who don’t yet know that they love dolls.” A doll’s journey to being born in its maker’s imagination and then later in our world begins decades earlier. It begins with a gathering of a lifetime of seemingly unrelated skills, which then one day collide and end up in complete and total creative harmony. And then slowly and steadily, dolls carry millions of children across the world into a world of sheer happiness. Today we met up with one such talented maker, Ashibo who has been creating some super cute handmade crochet dolls. Cute and stylish (just like the lady who makes them), it looks as if the dolls await to tell us a story, and Ashibo is their chosen medium. Were we right or were we just making things up in our minds? We asked Ashibo to help us answer. What was the inspiration behind creating these beautiful crochet dolls?  Well, I have always loved knitting …

RootsandLeisure_Nagaland Street Art

Nagaland Street Art | Art Meets Fashion

Published by Shweta Rao

We met up with the funky team at Nagaland Street Art, a brand where art meets fashion with a focus on promoting the rich diversity of various Naga cultures through design. At the beginning of this year (2016), three designers Cynthia Kolakhe, Imjung Longshiri and Muzung Yimchunger decided to come together to bring a bold idea to fruition. The plan was to create products that justified their brand’s tagline ‘Dare to be different’ – a style that blended the diagrammatic figuration from folk to urban design. And that’s how Nagaland Street Art was born. The brand believes in creating unique products that are truly designer made. Which means all designs are exclusive, hand painted, and made in Nagaland. But most importantly, all of them are unique and will never be recreated to be sold to someone else.What’s more commendable is that the Nagaland Street Art has already reached some notable client base. “We have designed tee shirts for world boxing champion M.C.Mary Kom, the Tetseo Sisters, Alobo & The Band, Yakuza Solo for his world tour, and Opang Jamir …