All posts filed under: ART

Explore artists and their art

#FACES | “These Kids Posing for a Photo On Their Way Back From Karate Class Made My Day” – Animikh Chakrabarty On His Trip To Darjeeling

Published by Shanmi

“As I was enjoying the crisp freshness of the early morning on a recent trip to Darjeeling, I crossed path with these lovely bunch of kids. Full of energy, they were apparently returning from their karate class. I said I wanted to take a photo, and they happily posed for me. They just made my day – and gave me a photo to remind me and others of how welcoming the locals from the hills can be. This photo is probably the most memorable one from my trip to Darjeeling. So many positives in one picture – a sense of community, friendliness, energy, and friendship. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of how these local people are always open and welcoming to all – despite past situations where the place and their people had seen unpleasant encounters.I see this photograph as a mutual love letter from me to the people of the hills and from the hills to me.” – Animikh Chakrabarty from Kolkatta, West Bengal. Local kids returning from their morning karate class in the hill town of Darjeeling, West Bengal – taken by …

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

Published by Shanmi

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 …

“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 …

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 …

“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 …

“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 …

rootsandleisure_Kezhongol_Peter_Viswentso

Meet Kezhongol Peter Viswentso – A Digital Artist From Nagaland Who Creates Awesome Artwork Inspired By His Naga Roots

Published by Shanmi

“It is important to express oneself… Provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience.” – Berthe Morisot We are always happy to feature young, talented people in our blog, and writing their stories always inpires us. Today, we found someone very hard working and passionate about achieving his dreams, meet Kezhongol who wishes to inspire people through his artworks by creating stories which could literally bring imagination to life. His creative work also reminds us about the rich culture and beautiful tradition of the Naga society. We had a chat with the very skillful traditional and digital artist Kezhongol Peter Viswentso from Nagaland. He talks about how art has been a part of him since his childhood days and he has no regrets over pursuing Animation as he grew up. Hello there, introduce a little bit about yourself. Hello R&L! My name is Kezhongol Viswentso (also goes with Peter), age 25 and currently staying in Bangalore, India. Originally, I am from Jakhama – Kohima, Nagaland – where I finished my schooling and …

“We Hope People Take Away Imagery of Emotions, Peace of Mind and Hope Through Our Music” – A Chat With Indie Artist Subhadra Kamath of ‘The Yellow Bucket’ from Delhi

Published by Shanmi

Another musical gem from Delhi chats with R&L to take us into the widely spreading world of the indie music scene in the country. Today we have Subhadra Kamath, a singer-songwriter, bassist and main vocalist of “The Yellow Bucket” from Delhi. She has been singing from a very young age and grew up surrounded by music lovers. She credits her very supportive family, who has given her space and the confidence to pursue her passion for music. She is also a theatre artist and a music teacher “I also teach music and am deeply interested in learning how to use the arts as a means for self-expression and healing.” Let’s get to know the very fascinating musician and artist Subhadra and her various interests over a quick chat! We chat with the very talented musician Subhadra Kamath as she shares about her indie band “The Yellow Bucket” – an electro-acoustic band from Delhi. Read on to know more about her, the band and their music. Hi Subhadra, so nice to have you with us today! Please introduce …

New Year’s Eve Outfit Inspirations for Women by Lungzeu from Nagaland – Curator of NagasStreetStyle

Published by Nara Longkumer

No matter how and where you choose to spend your New Year’s Eve, we recommend making an effort to feel your best whilst you start the countdown to the New Year. That being said, looking your best can add a huge boost to your feel-good factor 🙂 So in continuation to our NYE lookbook series by our local fashion folks, here’s one for the ladies too! {Check out our Men’s NYE Lookbook by Karan Chetri} As we gather together – with family, friends and our thoughts, here’s a little chit-chat with Lungzeu – our friendly fashion curator of ‘NagasStreetStyle’ (on Instagram) to bring us three of her top looks for New Year’s Eve. Lungzeu Lungalang Longchar from Nagaland shares her top 3 looks for the New Year’s Eve. Find out what she thinks are great outfit rules to follow for the last day of the year 🙂 Here she is wearing her stable favorites for the cold winter season – comprising of a light trench coat, denim, and an H&M woolen scarf “Like everyone here in Nagaland, I’ve always …

Our Favorite Men’s Fashion Blogger from Nagaland – Karan Chetri of “The Thrift Ensemble” Shares Outfit Inspirations for New Year’s Eve Party

Published by Shanmi

2018 is almost winding up, and we’ve had a fantastic and memorable year! We hope you guys had a great year too. Having said that, the current mood for most of us is that of finding the best ways to spend the last few hours of the year – with some hoping to spend in solitude – in reflection and charting out the plan for 2019, and some busy planning a get-together party for friends and family, while some folks be excited about welcoming the new year over some celebratory party, or any of the many plans – according to one’s taste. Everything and anything goes . . . let’s just hope we are in the best of shape to say goodbye to 2018 – and welcome the new year! Today’s post is for all the Men who plan to go out on NYE. Our trusted member for Men’s Fashion – Karan Chetri from Nagaland, who runs an Instagram fashion blog called “The Thrift Ensemble” is here to share some great outfit ideas for Men – for …