All posts filed under: NAGALAND

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RootsandLeisure_Artist_Temsuyanger Longkumer

Meet Temsuyanger Longkumer – London Based Multimedia Artist from Nagaland, as He Talks About His Naga Roots and The Art Scene in London

“A tree without roots is just a piece of wood.”  This quote by famous chef Marco Pierre has got us thinking, and we have to admit that there’s indeed a lot of truth to that. Especially at a time and space where creators/artists are trying to outdo each other with new ideas – often with borrowed inspirations that are aplenty. We love creativity of all sorts – no doubt. But the ones that are truly going to stand out and leave an impression are the original works of art – whose ideas come from a place that is pure and deep rooted in the creator’s own origins. That being said, we are truly excited to meet with one such artist from Nagaland – Temsuyanger Longkumer, a multimedia artist based out of London, whose original works of art – mostly created with inspirations from his Naga roots are enchanting London art lovers. This year in April, he held a solo exhibition “QUINTETTE” at the Standpoint Gallery, London; and his work ‘Tattooed Memory’ was recently acquired by the …

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A Chat With Moajungla Jamir From Nagaland – The Girl Whose Cover Song for “Coat of Many Colors” Went Viral

Heinrich Heine rightly quoted, “Where words leave off, music begins.” Imagine a life without music! Thanks to those people, who time and again delivers us with good music to balance out our life in this mad frenzy world. Speaking of which, Nagaland has its own set of budding raw talents that keeps surprising us every now and then. Today we have a special guest, a naturally talented musician, and a humble soul – Moajungla Jamir from Nagaland, who took the internet by storm two years ago, when a video of her singing “Coat of many colors” by Dolly Parton went viral. We sat down with her to find out what she’s been up to, her musical journey so far and what she hopes people take away from her music. It’s a beautiful one… read on to find out. Hi Moajung, tell us something about yourself and what you’ve been up to. My name is Moajungla Jamir and I am 22 years old from Dimapur. I am the youngest in the family, living with my mother alone …

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Young Fashionable Folks Share What’s Trending in the Local Fashion Scene in Nagaland

If you ask the people in Nagaland to pick which one is more important – feeling good versus looking good, very likely that the responses will be equally divided for both for most folks. Reflecting the general attitude towards dressing up  – with an added premium to personal style and comfort, you will see a variety of trends and trendy painting the outdoors and indoors of Nagaland. We wanted to take you guys into the streets of Nagaland to give a quick glimpse into the local fashion scene, so our contributor reached out to seven of her friends to give us an insight into what they are wearing, and what’s trending in their neighborhood.  Arenzung, 28 from Dimapur looking chic and summer-ready with a classic white button-down shirt, beige cotton skirt, and comfy flats. Her statement accessories and tote bag in matching colors compliments her look to the T. Tote bags are hot items in Nagaland this season, so get yourself one too! Shop Here “Thanks to social media, fashion inspiration to actually wearing the latest trends is almost …

Find Out Why Locals in Nagaland Love Trekking to “Pulie Badze” in Jotsoma Village, Kohima

Weekend is here and we recommend taking some time off  from the digital world, and escape into to the real world outside. Plan a mini trip to get away from your daily routine, noisy traffic, and social media. If you’re wondering where to go, we recommend visiting the much-hyped trekking hotspot in Kohima – “Pulie Badze.” This local hotspot in Nagaland is an excellent place to enjoy some peace and quiet while surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Read on to know more about this local hotspot in Nagaland. Pulie Badze is located just a few kilometers away from Jotsoma village in the Kohima district (approximately 10 km from Kohima). The area is known for its legendary story, as well as its stunning elevated location, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. The trek to the hilltop is also pleasant, making for a blissful outing for visitors who come to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Legend has it that Pulie Badze is named after a brave farmer named ‘Pulie,’ who died while attempting …

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Indie Rock Band From Nagaland “Trance Effect” Wants to Make Music That Heals Depressed Souls.

“Its alright, no more pretending.  Just ride without no worries  Its alright, don’t hide  . .” Just free yourself and let it dance ” goes the lyrics of the latest single ‘Stop Pretending’  by TRANCE EFFECT. This Indie rock band from Nagaland wants to use their music to talk about mental health issues and by doing so, aims to help people overcome their dark phase by creating beautiful music that heals. TRANCE EFFECT can be a safe haven for anyone who believes in the healing power of music. We sat down with the members of Trance Effect to know more about the team members, their music and some more Hi! Please introduce yourselves We are Trance Effect, a newly formed Indie band based out of Dimapur. We are a new band, formed in 2017. On vocals, we have our dynamic and compelling performer Iuli Yeptho, an energetic performer with her powerful vocals. Temsujungba on guitars, the bigger than life character and an outstanding showman. Sosang on drums, a quiet but an expressive player who never fails to …

rootsandleisure_recipe

Recipe of Nagaland’s Favorite Rainy Day Snack “Chana Mix” – by Tiapong

Summers in Nagaland can make you lazy and hungry; as it rains most days in some parts, while it tends to get hot and humid in other parts of the state. But on the brighter side, it’s the perfect time to sit at home – reading a book, watch some TV or working on some hobby. So yes, it’s also the perfect time to experiment with your own midday/midnight snacks! Our friend Tiapong from Dimapur came up with his own version of “Chana-mix” a popular local snack which is often spicy with a host of interesting ingredients. Let’s find out how Tiapong makes his. Full recipe below! Ingredients: ½ cup Matar (used the popular “Mokokchung Matar”) ½ cup boiled yellow peas ½ cup boiled grams “chana” 1 medium sized chopped onion 1 large tomatoes cut into cubes  2 chopped green chilies 2 packet of pre-cooked Rumpum noodles (crushed) 2 tbsp Mustard oil 2 Boiled potatoes cut into thin slices 1 Raja chilly cut into thin slices (optional ) 2 tbsp freshly squeezed Lemon juice Raisins (Optional) Coriander leaves for garnish Directions to make: …

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These Cosplayers from Nagaland are Redefining Cosplay Culture in India | Day 1 of Cosfest 2018, Kohima

It’s already been a week since the curtains closed in on the Cosfest event 2018, organized by the Nagaland Anime Junkies in Kohima Nagaland, but we are still high on the creativity displayed by the organizers and the cosplayers. This year, the R&L team finally got to experience the event first hand, and to say we are awestruck is an understatement.  The dedication put up by the organizers to bring this event to life is next level – equalled passionately by the creativity and enthusiasm of the cosplayers and attendees. Avid anime fans coming together to create the perfect event for all anime lovers. And not just anime, the event covers music, art, game, food, you name it. Here is one last glimpse of NAJ Cosfest 2018, which, by the way, is their sixth year. You read that right. SIXTH! And by the looks and what we hear of the event, it just keeps getting better and better. Scroll down below for photos and video from Day 1 of the event.  Organising team and Cosplayers enjoying a …

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“Kids Parties Have to Be Fun, Magical and Affordable” A Chat with Narto Sema – Founder of ‘The Big Fun Factory’ Dimapur

Remember those yesteryears where we used to get all excited about taking a packet of toffees to school on our birthdays? With the birthday boy/girl even trying to extend their excitement to their best friends by giving them some extra toffees? Well, those days are, and will forever remain cherished memories .  Fast forward to today, birthdays are becoming a little more elaborate with a full-blown party complete with personalized custom-made cakes, along with parents trying their best to throw in some fun games and props to go with the mood. Sounds familiar? Yup, we’ve all made some attempts at organizing something similar for a kid, sibling, niece/nephew, or someone we know. And when the local home-based baker delivers the out-of-this-world cake that turned out better than we expected, we wish we had done something about the party setting and the games too. Well, thanks to enterprising folks in Nagaland, even kids in small towns can now experience a fantasy filled celebration on their special days! Narto Sema, a banker turned event planner and a …

Rootsandleisure_recipe

Recipe| Wild Celery Cooked In Roasted Perilla Seed in Naga Style

We love our local vegetables (especially green leaves) the same way we love meat and here is another easy to cook recipe to add as a side dish with your favourite vegetarian thali or non -vegetarian thali and trust us, it won’t disappoint you .  In today’s recipe section , we will teach how to cook fresh local wild celery cooked in roasted perilla seeds . Cooking time : 20-30 minutes  Ingredients : Fresh bamboo shoot flesh (a handful) or depending on how much you are making Handful of wild celery 1 Tablespoon perilla seeds Couple of green chillies One cup of water Directions to cook : First boil water and green chilli. While they are boiling, roast perilla seeds and roughly crush them Once the bamboo shoot and green chillies are soft and cooked add the celery and salt and cook for 5-7 minutes or till water almost dries. Lastly, add the perilla seeds and take it off the flame Ready to eat with your favourite dish and local rice !

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Singer Songwriter Abdon Mech from Nagaland Talk About Growing up in a Family of Musicians

Abdon Mech was born into a family of four, where every other member is a musician including his father, mother, and sister. This talented 21-year-old singer-songwriter, despite stepping into the music industry just a year ago, has quickly emerged as a remarkable artist, captivating audiences with his soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. His musical prowess spans across genres, effortlessly traversing the realms of slow 70’s jazz and seamlessly blending into the infectious rhythms of peppy pop beats. With his undeniable talent and undeniable star quality, he has already on his way to stardom! We sat down to get personal with this young local talent from Nagaland to talk about his roots, musical inspirations, and more. R&L: Hello Abdon, please introduce yourself Abdon: I am Abdon Mech from Thahekhu Village, Dimapur in Nagaland. I am 21 years old and an aspiring singer/songwriter. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in English and will be pursuing my Master’s in the same soon. R&L: Introduce us to your work. What got you started? Abdon: Music started very very late for …