All posts filed under: ARTISTS

Explore Local Artists and Know Their Stories

This Lady from Gurgaon Makes the Most Beautiful Miniature Doll Houses | Zereh Lalji

Published by Pooja Ghose

“I have a strong desire to constantly express myself creatively – Be it through gift wrapping, or making crochet toys for my kids. I’m always using my hands.” Two kids, two Masters Degree and two crafty hands has 43 year old Zereh Lalji from Gurgaon occupied and satisfied with what she creates and constructs. Meet this self-taught artist with a prescribed passion for craft where she reveals that the magic lies in the ‘making’. Zereh is into making lovely little doll houses and miniature models that started off initially by building cardboard houses for her kids, later developing into a full-swing hobby. How did the craft scene enter your life? Tell us something about how it all began. I’m a maker and have this constant need to make stuff. I love things that are handcrafted and beautiful. My mum used to design clothes and my dad was very good at fixing and making stuff – doing things with his hands. Maybe that’s what influenced me. As a teenager I made a lot of small things …

Praveen Khwairakpam | 23 Year Old Medical Student and Paper Craft Artist

Published by Shiori Chan

Praveen Khwairakpam from Manipur is a 23 year old medical student at Sikkim Manipal University. About a year ago, this student-doctor discovered his talent and passion for paper art. He says, “Paper is a beautiful medium to work with. It is delicate and comes in various distinct shades. The most interesting thing about working with it is how versatile it can be – you can fold it, roll it, layer it and let it flow to suit your design!” A doctor in the making or an artist? How do you identify yourself? Tell us something about this dual personality you balance. It’s a bit of both. I grew up in Imphal, Manipur and attended a boarding school in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh. That is where I figured my passion for art. It started with painting. Then, I moved to Delhi for my higher secondary education and my passion for painting and art continued there. Then I enrolled at the Sikkim Manipal Student, Gangtok and that is when my curiosity and creativity for paper art started. So …

An Artist and a Mom-In-Motion from Bangalore | Praaggya Sharma

Published by Shiori Chan

Artist Praaggya Sharma had been moving from one city to another from the time she was born at her uncle’s house in Bareilly, U.P until in 2010, she settled down in Bangalore. While her literal transition had come to a halt with her husband and a family of her own, she found a medium of metaphormosis- colours on a canvas! Painting, she realized was something that would keep her evolving constantly. Before you got into the world of painting and art, what did you do? I have lived over many states, cities and small towns as my family kept moving. I was born in Uttar Pradesh and we moved to Rajasthan because of my father’s work. However we made another move to Delhi where I did my schooling and my two siblings were born. After I was done with school, we moved to Ahmedabad for a year. In 2004, my family moved again to Chandigarh where I finished my college. Then, I went to IMT Nagpur for my MBA. After that, for a year, I …

Sumedha Sah – Creator of Snail Mail Project Explains Why Strangers Write to Her

Published by Shiori Chan

Milan Kundera has succinctly summarised nostalgia and longing in his words, “The more vast the amount of time we’ve left behind us, the more irresistible is the voice calling us to return to it.”Looks like Sumedha Sah from Bombay has paid close attention to these words, and responded by creating The ‘Snail Mail Project’ – a medium to convert a life story into something indelible. It is a cute little project that creatively constructs artwork inspired by handwritten letters from strangers all around the world. This project aims to bring back the long-dead practice of letter writing and strike a balance between the aesthetic beauty and our tech-savvy world. Hi Sumedha! So good to have you here – as the first guest from Mumbai! Please tell us something yourself. Hi! I am equally excited to share my story with the Roots and Leisure community. Well, I am an artist based out of Mumbai, but technically – an architect with a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Architecture. I am 30 years old, and currently pursuing my artist’s …

Using Art To Heal | Meet Artist Phatchara Pantanakul From Thailand

Published by Shweta Rao

Art has many purposes. As one of the greatest goods of human experience, art is used to teach, to urge, to challenge, to serve, and even to support a revolution! 29-year-old Thai Chinese artist Phatchara Pantanakul uses art to heal herself. This is her story. What inspired you to turn to art? I went through a lot of stress at work. I had been relentlessly working in front of a computer, day after day, for six years. I couldn’t focus on anything, and that’s when I finally decided to quit my job. And suddenly, there was a lot of time on my hands.I decided to give myself some rest. I also began to draw again to treat my Major Depressive Disorder symptoms. I spent my time reading and going out for long walks. Gradually I picked up my interest in drawing again, and so began my journey towards healing my heart. Art was the best thing I did for myself. I remember that I was always interested in drawing and coloring since I was in pre-elementary school. …

Meet Kekhrie Ringa – Rising Broadway Style Singer from Nagaland

Published by Shweta Rao

Outspoken, yet cool-as-a-cucumber, budding artist and singer Kekhrie Ringa has never been a voice that blends into the background. Not surprisingly, she’s also one of the very few rising singing stars in the Broadway genre in India. In her own words, “I sing and teach vocals for a living” Kekhrie works at the Music Academy Kohima as a vocal teacher, and she is also a part of the gospel rock band ‘Fireflood’ – a seven-member band, based out of Bangalore. I sing and teach vocals for a living” Kekhrie Ringa, Nagaland Shweta Rao: Hey Kekhrie, feel so good to have you here with us! So tell us – who according to you – is Kekhrie Ringa? Kekhrie Ringa: I am a singer and a vocal teacher. I was born in Mokokchung, but I currently live in Kohima. I am a Broadway-style singer and admire Kirsten Chenoweth for her work in the genre. She is an amazing Broadway star. Also, Christina Aguilera was, is, and will forever be my favorite. I finished my Bachelor in Arts …

Faces | I Love Cosplay Because It Helps Me Express Myself Better

Published by Pooja Ghose

“This is my third year of cosplaying in the Cosfest organized by NAJ – Nagaland Anime Junkie. In the first year (2015), I dressed up as an anime maid, and worked at the Anime Maid Cafe. It was so much fun! Second year, I dressed up as ‘Madam Red’ from the anime series ‘Black Butler’. This year I am dressed as ‘Sona’ from League of Legends. I got the costume made through a local tailor here, and I got the wig as a gift from my aunt. She bought it for me when she went on a trip abroad. Cosplay is special because it takes me to a world of anime – which I love so much – as it helps me to express myself better” ~ Visazonuo Grace Suokhrie, Student Visazonuo Grace Suokhrie cosplaying as Sona’ from League of Legends.

Meet Suki and Yim – The Two 11-Year-Olds Behind the Book ‘Suki’s Magic Box’

Published by Roots & Leisure

Don’t we all agree that technology has redefined the way children spend their time these days? Most of their free time is spent playing video games, surfing the internet, watching videos on their smart phones, iPads, or chatting with their friends on Whatsapp/social media. It is hard to even imagine kids doing anything ‘old fashioned’. So it was a pleasant surprise when we met two 11-year-old girls from Nagaland, who have recently launched a book called ‘Suki’s Magic Box’. The book serves as a graphic narrative inside a ten-year-old’s mind (that’s what they told us!). So let’s have a chat with these talented girls behind the book – to understand what the book is all about, and more! Meet Sochumlo Suki Ezung, who is the author of the book ‘Suki’s Magic Box’. “I just turned 11, and I love writing; it has been my hobby since I was 7 years old. Suki’s Magic Box is not an ordinary book. It’s a book that talks about the fantasies that play out because of the imaginative power of …

Chat with Li Ching – Artist & Illustrator from Singapore Who Ignited her Artistic Flame Later in Life at 42, Proving It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Passion

Published by Pooja Ghose

It can be challenging to manage a hobby alongside our regular job. Lost in our hectic 9-5 lives, we often find ourselves struggling to make time for personal passions. Yet, there are those among us who skillfully create a new realm through their hobbies, offering respite from the urgency that surrounds us. One such inspiring individual is Artist & Illustrator Li Ching from Singapore. We were absolutely mesmerized by her art so we approached her for an interview. As we started delving into her background, we were even more inspired by her story about how her life meandered into the dream life she had always wanted at 42! Having graduated from the National University of Singapore, she spent a good amount of her career as an HR professional. Then she moved to Thailand to teach Geology and Chemistry to International students. It was during this period that Li Ching acquired a newfound love for teaching – and reconnected with the art world, eventually giving her the much-needed opportunity to dive fully into the world of …

An Interview with Baker and Owner at Bakeforyou, Nagaland | Abigail Sitlhou

Published by Pooja Ghose

Have you ever gone on the adventure of going off book while following a baking recipe, and immediately regretting it? You know the results are almost always disastrous. Because the chemistry of baking doesn’t lend itself as naturally to experimentation as cooking does. So, when the professional bakers out there pick out one beautifully risen cake after another from an oven, know that those hands have seen many failures. Here’s a story of one such magic maker. Meet Abigail Sitlhou, 25, Owner & Baker of Bakeforyou – a home-based bakery in Kohima, Nagaland. Tell us a bit about yourself. I am a witty & fun loving person, who can laugh at the silliest of stuff when I’m around my kind of people. My hobbies are crafting and gardening. I am now a full-time baker and very satisfied with the profession I have chosen for myself. I am lucky that I have very supportive parents. When did you first start baking? I had always been fascinated with the art of cooking & baking . In the …