All posts filed under: NAGALAND

Explore Nagaland

RootsandLeisure_HetikaBakery

Come Home to Delicious Cakes and Bakes | Interview with the Founder of Hetika Bakery and Cafe

Published by Kumti

Sometimes you yearn for a place where you can unwind, seek some peace and quiet – away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A place that is comfy, friendly and has the right ambience to relax in. The one place that immediately comes to mind is *Hetika Bakery and Cafe* – tucked away on a quiet corner just off the highway in Dimapur, Nagaland. Meet Vekutholu Vero – Baker and Owner of Hetika Bakery and Cafe, in Dimapur Nagaland, as she talks about her venture with our R&L member, Kumti Hi Veku, this place is such a charming place! So tell us how and when you started Hetika Bakery and Cafe? The cafe was launched in mid of last year (in 2016). The sole reason why I started this cafe is because I felt there aren’t many quality cake shops in Nagaland. We do have a lot of great bakers, but very few outlets where people can just walk into – whenever they have a craving for something nice and sweet. That’s where the whole …

RootsandLeisure_KekhrieRinga

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 …

RootsandLeisure_PenthrillPublication

Bringing Forward Untold Stories | Meet Rita Krocha – Founder of PenThrill Publication House

Published by Shweta Rao

Rita Krocha is a writer’s writer. An owner of opinions that act as a cut-through voice in the noise that is contemporary literature. Which is to say that she has gone through the grind of a typical journalist and penned interesting stories throughout her career. As the owner of her book publishing company, PenThrill Publication House, Krocha is aiming to take that journey further. Read on to know more about Krocha, the simple writer behind some of the most intricately laden Indian fiction books today. Hi Rita, tell us a bit about yourself. When did you start working as a writer? My name’s Vishü Rita Krocha and I’m 34. I have a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication. I started my career in journalism as a weekly columnist in 2006 and later joined Eastern Mirror Daily in 2008 as a news correspondent and continued to write for them for five years. Later, I found myself interested in learning about the publishing industry. That’s why I decided to go for a certificate course in Book Publishing …

RootsandLeisure_Cosplay

Cosplay is a Serious Game for These Indian Cosplayers from Nagaland

Published by Roots & Leisure

Folks here’s an update on yet another Cosplay event organized by the Nagaland Anime Junkies. Some people say it’s just a fad but the passion of the organizers and the participants alike, seem to show otherwise. Let’s watch and see what comes out of this interesting (literal) cultural play, but for now let us enjoy the elaborate dress-ups and the performances by the cosplayers. Here is a glimpse of what went down at NAJ (Nagaland Anime Junkies) Cosfest 2017, that was held in Kohima, Nagaland. Cosplayer Lanujungshila Imchen, as 2B Nier from Automata Cosplayer Kevitshetuo Sekhose as Joker from Suicide Squad. Cosplayer Grace Soukhrie as Sona from League of Legends Cosplayer Ayim as Raiden, Jack the Ripper from the game, Metal Gear Rising – Revengeance Cosplayer Ayim as Monokuma from the videogame,  DanganRonpa Photo Courtesy : HOPONG CHANG – official photographer for NAJ COSFEST 2017 South east Asian cultures, especially those of Japan and Korea, have an unmissable influence in shaping the pop-culture in Nagaland. The way the dress, the art forms used to express themselves, the food they …

RootsandLeisure_Cosplay

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.

Shoe Designer – Kaka Sumi, Tells us the Story Behind his New Collection

Published by Roots & Leisure

The discovery of an artist is undeniably a fulfilling and enriching journey. Each artist possesses a unique and captivating story that adds depth and significance to their art. While the craft itself may not be entirely novel, it is the artist’s personal journey that imbues their work with distinctiveness. Therefore, it is always enthralling to delve into their world and share their narratives. Recently, we had the pleasure of meeting Kaka Sumi, an exceptional shoe designer hailing from Nagaland. Kaka has just unveiled his latest collection of men’s sandals, now available at Roots & Leisure Marketplace (see details below). During our conversation, we explored Kaka’s unwavering passion for shoes and delved into the inspirations behind his new collection. R&L: Hi Kaka! We love what you are wearing – especially your sandals! Tell us a little bit about yourself.  Kaka: Hey thank you! These are Kaka Sumi sandals 🙂 So glad to be having this conversation with the R&L team. Ok as an introduction, I am a 28-year-old shoe designer who has had a lifelong obsession …

RootsandLeisure_SochumloEzung

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 …

RootsandLeisure_SnailWithPork

Recipe of Snail Dish – Naga Style

Published by kesangunuo

  Here’s a recipe that is loved by the locals in Nagaland. This dish is made of snails (called ‘hamok‘ in Nagamese), local beans and fresh pork.  INGREDIENTS: Snail (200 grams) Pork (1 kg) Beans (20-25 ) Ginger Garlic (10 cloves) Salt to taste Dried red chillies (15-20) PREPARATION: Soak the snails in clean water for 48 hrs (so that they cleanse themselves). Change the water every 24 hours. Rinse the snails thoroughly before cooking (use a clean brush to clean the shells if necessary) With a spoon, tap the pointed end of the snail to make a hole, so that the spices can go inside while cooking. Make a paste out the red chilies, ginger, and garlic DIRECTIONS TO COOK: Cook the pork till tender in a pressure cooker (30-35 mins) In another pot, put the (cooked) pork, the hamok (snail), and the chilli-garlic-ginger paste Pour some water, and let it cook for 30-40 mins Lastly, put the beans and cook them for 5-10 minutes, put water if required. Serve with warm steamed rice …

A Quick Chat with Aienla Jamir, Founder of Rustique Edge – Your Vintage Craft Heaven

Published by Pooja Ghose

Meet artist and entrepreneur Aien Jamir from the beautiful hills of Nagaland. She is the founder and co-ordinator of the production house, Tinted Light Studio and also the owner of Rustique Edge.  Tell us about your venture, Rustique Edge. Well, we make customized handmade products  – across home decor items, bridal accessories, gift items, leather crafts, precious gemstones jewelry, and traditional Naga gears. It’s something very close to my heart, as I have always enjoyed collecting, and taking inspirations from vintage items – be it clothes, crafts, home decor etc. So when I finally decided to start my own venture, it had to be around an activity that I love doing. So I picked vintage and crafts, both of which has kept me occupied and inspired throughout my life. Sneak peek of Rustique Edge decor. #crystals #crates #rusticwedding #rusticdecor #localbrand #nagaland A post shared by Rustique Edge (@rustique_edge) on Dec 9, 2016 at 11:24am PST    How has your upbringing (your roots) influenced your work? I have always been inspired by my mom, who is an artist – …

RootsandLeisure_Faces

Faces | We are Performing as an All-Girls Band For our Freshers Day

Published by Pooja Ghose

  “I am part of a music band in our school (Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima). It’s an all-girls band. Today we are practicing for Freshers day, and we are planning to perform ‘Shine’ by Mr. Big. Excited that we are practicing after so long – since we actually get to play only during school functions. “ (What is that guy doing in an all-girls band? He is also wearing the same yellow badge -is that a band thing?) “Oh, he plays for another band, but they are also practicing in the same hall. So he dropped by. We made those yellow badges for fun – while making some cut-outs for the hall decorations :D” ~Asino