All posts filed under: ARTISTS

Explore Local Artists and Know Their Stories

R&L Readers Share Their Highlights of 2019 and Hopes For 2020!

Published by Sukriti Dubey

As the end of an arrives and the other begins, we tend to look back at our successes and failures, joys and sorrows. We set the agenda for the next one and reminisce the one gone by. For us at Roots & Leisure, 2019 has been an year of immense growth where we discovered a number of artists and interacted with people who inspire and create a positive community of changemakers. To wrap up the year, we spoke to some of our readers who share how their year turned out to be and what they expect for 2020. We hope you enjoy the end of the decade with some good stories, a warm cup of coffee, and a lot of love! Tap on the link in bio or below to read. Guse, Kohima (Currently in China)  The moment 2019 began I was like that’s it, I quit. All jokes aside, my life and lifestyle is constantly changing. From 2017 moving to a new country trying to settle in, 2018 trying to get more connected to …

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Meet Diana Sanasam, Self-Taught Sketch Artist From Imphal, Manipur

Published by Nara Longkumer

“Before I knew ABCD…XYZ, I was drawing apples and everything I could draw”, says Diana Sanasam. Hailing from Imphal, she spent her childhood trying to sketch the images she saw in children’s books and has never lost touch with it since then! Working as an assistant manager, she comes home to work on a few sketches to relieve her stress and that is how she keeps improving and gaining more love for sketching. We had a talk with Diana as she tells us what inspired her and how she honed her skill of sketching. Hi Diana. Please introduce yourself. Hello, I am Diana Sanasam from Imphal, Manipur. I am the eldest and only daughter of three siblings. I love travelling and sports. And sometimes I SKETCH. I did my engineering in Electrical and Electronics from Chennai and completed my post-graduation from Anna University, Chennai. Introduce us to your work. What got you started? I am self-taught and I mostly sketch portraits using graphite medium. But I am eager to explore other mediums and digital art …

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DJ Lil’ Bomb Talks About What Got Him Started as a DJ

Published by Nara Longkumer

Liden Longchari, famously known as DJ Lil’ Bomb, is an EDM DJ and Producer from Kohima, and was awarded as the Best Producer Nagaland Music Awards 2018. He has been performing in and around the northeast since 2015 in places such as the Hornbill Festival, NAJ Cosfest, WAF Music Festical MKG, AH1 Music Festival. Amidst his busy schedule, he took out time for a quick chat with R&L. We talk about how he got into music and what inspires him. Read below for all the scoops. Hi Liden. Please tell us something about yourself. Hello! My name is Liden Longchari, people call me Little Bomb. I am from Kohima but I’m currently staying in Dimapur, as a DJ/Producer under Infinity Inc. Label. I’ve been bouncing around doing gigs/shows and also producing music. Introduce us to your work. What got you started? I’m an EDM DJ and I also produce electronic music. I’ve always been  into electronic music. Back in 2014, when I came to know about a music festival known as Tomorrowland, the show/festival itself made a huge …

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Meet Medophreno Shunyu, a Talented Sketch Artist From Kohima, Nagaland

Published by Visekhono Sachu

Medophreno, from Kohima, is a self-taught sketch artist. Starting as early as when she was in 2nd grade, she’s honed her skills through rigorous and passionate practice. Her forte is sketching portraits but she enjoys experiment with different genres such as calligraphy as well. Talking about her work, she says, “through my art, I hope people see that we human beings are God’s masterpiece and we are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Art has been a for of inspiration since her childhood, and she hopes her art can inturn, inspire people. Medophreno had a talk with us about her artworks. Read the full interview below. Hello Medophreno. Can you tell us a litle bit about yourself? My name is Medophreno Shunyii. I am 26 years old from Kohima, Nagaland. If I were to describe myself then it’ll be in just two simple words – an ambivert and an optimist. And I’m also a big foodie. I’m trying to make a career in the teaching field. Until then, I’m doing a lot of things I like, art being …

A Chat With Ashwin Chikerur – an Urban Sketcher and a Designer from Pune

Published by Samyama

Ashwin Chikerur from Pune has always been intrigued by art. As a child, he used to flip through his grandfather’s art books and as a grown-up, his love for his daughter started an exciting journey of quick sketches. Even though he was out of touch with art for a few years, he found his way back to what he truly loves. Today he is a visual designer and every Saturday,  he heads out with his group, Urban Sketcher Pune, no matter the weather and creates lovely watercolour sketches of his environment.  Hello, Ashwin it’s great to be able to have a chat with you. Please say hello to our readers.  Hello! My name is Ashwin Chikerur, I am currently residing in Pune. I would consider myself a passionate artist, driven designer, and engineer (by mistake). I’m always drawn to things in the bracket of art and design and have been working in the creative industry for more than 17 years now. Tell us when sparked your interest in art. There were various parts of my …

Owner of Papermelon, Devi Chand from Chennai Creates Sustainable Paper-Based Jewellery

Published by Samyama

Devi Chand, from Chennai, works out of her little studio and creates impressive paper-based jewellery. She found a way to roll paper to create interestingly shaped beads and that gave her an idea to further use in accessories. The sealant she uses also works to make the paper splash-proof! Back in 2009, she started her paper jewellery venture, Papermelon. Even now, she finds joy in collecting all types of paper and upcycles them to make her creations. Just like her, her jewellery is upbeat, happy and colourful. Check out her collection and wear some as a conversation starter. Also, read through our conversation with this cheerful wife, mother and entrepreneur who is living her dream!  Hello, it’s great having this chat with you! Give us a small bio. Hey! I’m Devi Chand, and I make some exciting sustainable paper jewellery. I create from my little home studio in Chennai. I’m a mother of one, who is also a regular visitor at my quaint shop.  Tell us about your venture Papermelon.   I studied design at NIFT. …

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Bendang Walling – A Performing Artist, Director and Producer from Nagaland

Published by Kumti

For some, hobbies remain just hobbies, but Bendang Walling, from Nagaland, had a different calling! He took a leap of faith and decided to give life to his art and hobbies. Hardships and struggles didn’t stop him and today he is one of the refined performer, director and producers in Nagaland. He has directed a lot of plays, short films, conducted Theatre Workshops in other states as well. One of his short films, Blissful was also selected for International Film Festival 2016 at Dharamshala. We caught up with him to chat about his life and work!    Hi, glad to have you on board, please tell us a bit about yourself! Hello, my name is Bendang Walling, I live in Dimapur and I am 32-years-old. I started my career as a stage actor and now, I direct, produce and act as well. I would like to consider myself an artist, a dreamer and a visionary who breathes life to stories and folktales. After my graduation, I went to Delhi to pursue my Master in Dramatic …

“I Didn’t Find Thangka Painting, It Found Me” – Sahil Bhopal, a Thangka Painter from Kullu

Published by Samyama

Thangka painting – a sort of scroll painting, is a cultural pillar in Tibetan tradition and is essential for Buddhist practitioners as it serves as recorded history. With a deep love for history and the intricate designs, Sahil Bhopal, an artist from Kullu has been painting Buddhist thangkas out of pure passion for 10 years now.  Trained in the Karma Gadri style, it is his love for art that transcends even religion. Talking about his work, he says, “Most of the time, when people look at my work, I see them be present in the moment. Nothing from the past or future is on their mind, they are fully present. I would like them to hold on to that peace and that moment of nothingness.” Read more about his fascinating journey below.     Hello Sahil, welcome to R&L! Please share a bit about yourself. Hi, I am Sahil Bhopal, a 29-year-old full-time thangka painter, trained under the tutelage of master painter Noedup Rongae in the Karma Gadri style.  I was raised in Ladakh and when …

Amrita Giriraj, from Chennai, Turns Botanics into Classy Jewellery With Her Venture ‘Alankaara’

Published by Samyama

Amrita Giriraj from Chennai fell in love with the art of fossilising botanics like flowers and leaves, while she was working on a post-grad project. It was in Kanyakumari, where she led the foundation of her jewellery venture called ‘Alankaara’. Her brand is vastly different from any other jewellery brand that we’ve come across — it captures the essence of a place by preserving it’s flora in jewelry pieces. Alankaara reflects her true self — humble, creative and deeply connected with nature. Since then, she has won the SISA (Start-up of The Year in Social Impact), travelled to Kenya and the Himalayas how flora can also bring you closer a place’s culture. She says, “Over the last 2 years, I’ve immersed myself in what I do and I realised I’m actually a story-teller. Each handcrafted jewellery is a story waiting to be heard and loved.” Meet our amateur botanist and jewellery designer – Amrita It’s great to have this chat with you today! We are beyond excited about your craft. First, please say hi to …

“Pottery Can Teach You a Lot About Life” – Akshaya Salin, Owner of Pottery Studio ‘The Burrow’, From Ahmedabad

Published by Samyama

Akshaya Salin was on her way to become a civil engineer when fate steered her into taking up pottery for her post-grad. She fell in love with how the calming yet exciting process of pottery truly is! Based in Ahmedabad now, she owns a small atelier named ‘The Burrow’ and works her heart out as a full-time ceramic artist. Hey Akshaya! Please introduce yourself to our readers. Hi, I’m Akshaya Salin! I’m 26-years-old and based in Ahmedabad. I’m a Malayali settled in Ahmedabad. I did my undergrad in civil engineering and then moved on to working in environmental education for a bit. During this time I randomly came across pottery and my interest was sparked. I was then led to work on a post-grad course in ceramic and glass design at IICD, Jaipur. This experience officially began my path in ceramic design. I continued my journey by working at Claystation, Bangalore. It’s been a year since I have moved back to Ahmedabad and started my own small atelier ‘The Burrow’.  What types of mediums do …