All posts filed under: FEATURED

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#RECIPE | Urad Dal Pakodas, an Exclusive Pahadi Recipe For Festivals by Navendu Raturi

Published by Samyama

We are excited to present to you today, ‘Urad dal ki Pakodi’, all the way from the Uttarakhand. Our Recipe maker Navendu Raturi is a doctor and social worker living in Dehradun. He originally belongs to the Pauri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand. Since it is the festive season of Diwali – he has given an exclusive recipe to the R&L team to help us share the festival spirit with a Garhwali festival essential.  Navendu holds his culture dear, even though he was in Mumbai for work for a few years he couldn’t stay away from the mountains and it’s culture, to stay rooted he began his Instagram page @insta_pahadi and avidly showcases the pahadi culture, food and tradition of Uttarakhand. ‘Urad dal ki pakodi’ is a tasty treat made on every auspicious occasion – marriages, birthdays, Mundan, and also Diwali. Urad is considered an auspicious grain in Uttarakhand. Therefore a celebration is never complete without a little bit of a binge. Ingredients (Serves: 4, Total Time: 20 mins) 3 cups of split urad dal with cover …

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Meet the Face Behind “Amrapali – House of Grace” a 100-Year-Old Portuguese Home Converted Into a Boutique Hotel in Goa

Published by Samyama

Simran Kaur is the face behind Amrapali, a boutique hotel built on the strong bones of a 100-year-old Portuguese home. She is a true multi-talented woman with a major in English, a minor in photography, and is a pastry chef certified by Le Cordon Bleu in London. With her skills, love for the craft, and collaboration with local artisans, Simran brought Amrapali back to life. The hotel is renowned for its warm color palettes and carefully curated details that adorn every corner of the space. It has been featured in various lifestyle magazines such as Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue, and more. Amrapali is a humble abode that focuses on providing exceptional service, despite being the base for many worldwide fashion brand photoshoots and even being featured in the film ‘Golmaal Again’. Hi Simran, could you please give us a brief introduction of yourself? Hi, my name is Simran Kaur and you can find me either in Mumbai or in Goa. I am an English major with a photography minor from Bryn Mawr …

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A Chat With Temsuienla – the Owner of The Bambusa Restaurant in Mokokchung

Published by Kumti

A young and inspiring woman from Nagaland, Temsuienla is devoted to providing a good ambience and delectable food to anyone who comes at her restaurant called the Bambusa, located in Mokokchung. She is motivated by the idea of providing a memorable dining experience by keeping the quality of the food as well as the services consistently high. She spoke to us about how she started this restaurant as a part of the Bambusa franchisee in Mokokchung and her journey as an entrepreneur so far.  Hi Temsuienla! Lovely to have you here. Please introduce yourself to our readers.  Hello, thank you for this opportunity. My name is Temsuienla, and I live in Mokokchung, Nagaland. I am a working woman and belong to the Mokokchung family of Bambusa franchisee. I am currently running The Bambusa Restaurant here. Tell us about your restaurant! We have always believed in supporting local Nagaland-based businesses and ventures, and we are thankful to Bambusa and Co. for believing in us and partnering with us in opening a Bambusa franchise for our folks …

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Ashwini Narayan, from Hyderabad, is A Saree Stylist Who Making Saree Trendy, Easy and A Fashion Statement

Published by Samyama

Ashwini Narayan, originally from Mumbai and now settled in Hyderabad, is on her way to create a new perspective for the saree. No more, shall it be branded as a tool for the traditionalists. She has moulded and wrapped in various funky, fresh and free designs to accommodate various age groups and personality types. Ashwini tells us that if you are a free-spirit, try out lighter cotton and khadi and keep your draping shorter or try the kashta drape (pant-like) or wrap it as a skirt. But if you are looking for a more elegant design, aim for silk and experiment with your folds or pair your drape with a professional jacket! She holds workshops and is immensely active on Instagram and always has a world of knowledge to share. Let’s see what drew her towards saree and how she’s changing the perception about it! Link in bio.  Hello Ashwini, we are so excited to be having this chat with you and love how passionate you are about your craft! Give our audience a brief …

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#FACES | Naga Boys Playing Football in Their Local Village Ground

Published by Kumti

“Look at all those village boys finding their way to fun.  They don’t mind the bruises, the mud stains, the scorching heat – all they care for is the victory. Victory when the worn-out ball passes through the bamboo posts. Aye! Our native isn’t anywhere near to FIFA countries but what a sight and what blissful feeling to witness these boys delve into a world of their own in the green lushes field. I know just by looking at them play that they are not themselves; not just ordinary. There is a force unseen that drives them on the field. Indeed Argentina away from Argentina. Every village has its own football story and you can find it in your Soyim (birthplace) too.” -Apen, a storyteller from Nagaland 

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Abhilasha Sinha, a Singer-Songwriter from Delhi, is Making Waves With Her Soulful Music

Published by Samyama

This soulful singer-songwriter from Delhi is quickly making a name for herself in one of the largest music hubs in the world, New York. Abhilasha Sinha is incredibly passionate about music and can’t remember a time without it. From lively road trips to jam sessions with her mother and her harmonica, music was part of her life growing up. Currently pursuing her masters degree in Music Business from NYU, she leads a passionate life as a singer-songwriter. She recently finished her India tour and is producing more songs just around the bend. Let’s have a peek at what’s going on with her! Head over to the link in bio to read our conversation with this lively artist. Hello Abhilasha! It’s so exciting to be able to have this conversation with you. Please do give us a brief snippet of your journey so far. I’m a 25-year singer-songwriter from New Delhi, now living in New York. I’m a feminist, a food lover, body+skin positivity advocate, and an avid thrift-store shopper. I’ve been living in New York …

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#RECIPE | Axone With Smoked Pork and Perilla by Avi Rochill

Published by Kumti

Festive season is just about to kick in and preparing a delicious meal is almost every household’s ritual! Today we have a delicious axone recipe with smoked pork and perilla by Avi Rochill. This recipe uses a traditional Naga ingredient to create a sumptuous meal that’s ideal for when you want to treat yourself or even when you have guests over! Ingredients : 4 medium sized smoked pork (500 grams) 1/2 or 1 full slab of axone (depending on how thick you want the curry to be) 10 to 15 pieces of local green chillies 1 large juicy red tomato 15 pieces of sichuan pepper (roasted and pounded) Perilla seeds (40mg- roasted and pounded) Salt to taste    1. In thick bottomed pot, add all the ingredients together except for the perilla seeds. Add just enough water to cover the meat and slow cook in a medium flame. 2. Add the pounded perilla seeds once the meat is half cooked ( around 15 mins approx). 3. Keep adding water in small quantities until the meat …

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Meet Chef Moa – Owner of Dimsum Restaurant in Kohima

Published by Kumti

Nagaland is home to not only one of the most delectable cuisines in India but also amazing chefs who experiment with food. Today, we have one such master chef with us – Chef Moa from Kohima.  He recently opened his own eaterie called Dim Sum Restaurant. Serving different Asian cuisines, this place aims to give you food that is not only tasty but served well and easy on the pocket. Read to know his story and how he opened his restaurant. If you happen to be in Kohima, be sure to visit his lovely restaurant!  Hi Moa! Please introduce yourself. My name is Moa and I’m currently residing in Kohima. I studied hotel management from Dusit College, Bangkok. It is all due to God’s grace that I was able to complete my management course. I did my course of multi cuisine chef, especially western cuisine. Now, I have opened an eaterie in Kohima, by the name Dim Sum Restaurant. What inspired you to open a restaurant? Before coming back to Nagaland, I also had the …

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Ishrat Sahgal, an Entrepreneur From Delhi, Blends Sustainability & Creativity With Her Venture Mishcat Co. Carpets

Published by Samyama

Ishrat Sahgal is known for her creative vision as well as sustainable business ideas. She grew up in Chandigarh but calls Delhi and London her home today. After studying interior architecture and art history, she created a new venture – Mishcat Co. The company boasts a beautiful array of uniquely designed carpets. The special aspect of these carpets is that they are made by using sari yarn which is leftover scrap after creating saris. This upcycle is reducing waste by repurposing it into something incredibly inspired. The carpets themselves are made with the collaboration of artisans in small villages in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.  Ishrat is incredibly attached to this cause of bringing traditional Indian culture and craft to a global platform. She has been in an impressive list of achievers – and the most notable achievement being one of Forbes 30 under 30 in 2018.  We had a chat with her about what makes Mishcat Co her passion venture and how it all began, below.  Hi Ishrat! Thank you for taking the time to …

Shweta Verma from Goa is a Family Photographer Whose Pictures Will Leave You Smiling

Published by Samyama

Shweta Verma was originally from Bihar but now lives in Goa and is a family photographer. Her work stands out as she has an eye for capturing the true essence of each child and family. What started as street photography and taking pictures of her lovely daughter, her love for photography grew with each picture she took. She believes in creating history with her pictures. Something that each client can preserve and protect. She has a chat with us about what keeps her motivated and her process working with babies, children and lovely families.  Hello Shweta! Please introduce us to your life and photography. My name is Shweta Verma, I am originally from Bihar but now I stay in Panjim, Goa. I am an engineer by education but I left my consultant job to pursue photography as a profession when my daughter was born. What initially sparked your interest in photography? My initial days of photography were all about streets. It all started in the country my daughter was born in – Basel in Switzerland. …