All posts filed under: PEOPLE

This 23-Year-Old Veterinarian Makes Handmade Soaps That are Actually Life Changing | Meet Lavanya Sophie, Founder of ‘Elixir Soaperie’

Published by Nara Longkumer

The thing about anything handmade is that every item is made with so much care and is full of love. Bonus if they make your life a little better too. Today we have a creator who makes great handmade soaps. We got introduced through a friend, who couldn’t stop raving about her soaps. We also found out that she is a veterinarian graduate, and currently a master’s student, who also runs her popular soap business ‘Elixir Soaperie’ on the side. Let’s find out more about her and her handmade goodies. Meet 23-year-old Lavanya Sophie from Pondicherry, founder and creator of ‘Elixir Soaperie’, which is a range of handmade soaps, scrubs, eye gels and other beauty products that work wonders. She makes everything from scratch and even adds fragrances and essential oils as per specific preferences. She chats with R&L about her entrepreneurial journey and her handmade soaps. Hi Lavanya. Tell us a little about yourself and what you’ve been up to? My name is Lavanya… Well, technically Dr. Lavanya. I’m a 23-year-old veterinarian graduate and am pursuing …

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A Chat With Vitz Zhimo aka MOZZEY from Nagaland – Gifted EDM Producer Whose Feel-Good Tunes Have Already Travelled the World

Published by Rachel Thong

  The many facets of music makes it possible for artists across genres and styles to reach listeners in their various moods. Today’s guest is our first electronic music artist to be introduced here. Vitz Zhimo a.k.a. MOZZEY, is a music producer, writer and a performing artist from Nagaland. Known for his feel-good music and host of interesting collabs – including the famous ‘Come With Me‘ with Virie and Zaza, his latest project is an EP called ‘Bedroom Stories‘ which features artists like Rochee and Tiger Darrow from New York, and Canadian Hip Hop artist City Fidelia. We chat with him to now more about him, his music and his latest projects. EDM artist, music producer, and writer Vitz Zhimo chats with R&L about his style of music, his creative philosophy and the influence of his family – especially his mother, on him choosing a musical career. Hi Vitz. Tell us about yourself and what you’ve been up to? Hey, my name is Vitolu (Vitz) Zhimomi. I write music as MOZZEY and also as NVYKO. I’m a …

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“I Write Roles for Women – Beautiful Women with Soul, Will and Strength” | A Chat with Filmmaker Tribeny Rai from Sikkim

Published by Vilina

“If there’s specific resistance to women making movies, I just choose to ignore that as an obstacle for two reasons: I can’t change my gender, and I refuse to stop making movies” – Katheryn Bigelow. Growing up in a family of 4 girls, Tribeny Rai faced gender bias at a young age. That experience only gave her the drive and conviction she needed to come out of her shell and do something that was new as well as challenging. That was the start of the journey that strong headed Tribeny set out to embark on for the rest of her life. At 27, she has 8 short films and 1 documentary to her name. Interestingly every one of her works has either won an award or has done the rounds at both national and international film festivals. Today, we’re happy to feature Tribeny Rai, a passionate independent filmmaker from Sikkim. She is everything you wouldn’t fathom at first glance, but behind her charming smile is a powerhouse of creativity that hits you into real-world subtlety. She chats …

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This Research Scholar Wants to Preserve Traditions Through Fashion | Meet Rosemary Rynthlei – Founder of Mizos Street Style

Published by Nara Longkumer

For some people, like Rosemary, fashion and passion go hand in hand. She is a PhD student, a teacher and has followed her love for fashion through it all. She is now the proud owner of Mizo Street Style – a clothing store which offers modern designs with an elegant touch of Mizo tradition. Here’s a chat with fashion designer Rosemary Rynthlei as she talks about her life, her love for her Mizo roots and how it influences her designs. Hi Rosemary. Tell us about you, your work and how you got your start in fashion. My name is Rosemary Renthlei and I’m 27 from Aizawl, Mizoram. I’m completing my PhD in English Literature. I’ve worked as a Higher Secondary School teacher in the past and now, I run my own business which I started as a fashion blog in 2016. I have always been very passionate about fashion and had this great urge to create new things since I was very young. I used to draw designs even though I’m not that good at drawing …

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#Faces | This Portrait of an Old Man Captured By Tenzing Will Transport You Into A World Of Fantasy And Fairy Tales

Published by Vilina

“We had a day off and a friend of mine suggested we go birding in a forest a few kilometers out of Guwahati. So we grabbed our cameras, some supplies to eat and headed out. My friend is an avid bird-watcher and frequently visits these forests. It was my first visit there so I didn’t know what to expect. We reached the edge of the forest and reached a temple that we needed to pass before actually entering the forest. As we approached the temple gates we were greeted by this old man. He wasn’t a man of many words nor was he a ‘ray of sunshine’. He had one job to do… Perhaps the most important job there. It was to make sure that no one enters the temple grounds with their footwear on. My friend explained to me that even though we weren’t there to worship and were simply passing by, the rules applied to us all the same. His eyes looked our way as I took a quick shot of him. When …

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Model Carol Humtsoe Charms Vintage Lovers with Her Curated Clothing and Collectibles Sold Through Her Brand ‘Carol’s Shop and Tea Room’

Published by Rachel Thong

For those who had missed our introduction to Carol Humtsoe  back in 2016 (when we had just launched our site), meet fashion model Carol from Nagaland – the first Naga model to have been signed by Elite Model Management. We got back in touch with her to know more about her treasure trove of lovely vintage clothing and collectibles – that she sells under her brand ‘Carol’s Shop & Tea Room.’ We were especially intriqued by her ultra cool and rustic setting of the shop – complete with bamboo walls and wooden furnitures. Let’s find out more about her fashion venture, and what she’s been upto lately. Model Carol Humtsoe from Nagaland chats with Roots & Leisure about her love for fashion, travel, vintage & collectibles, and how she brings all these in one space through her vintage store ‘Carol’s Shop & Tea Room.’  Hi Carol, tell us what you’ve been upto lately. I am currently based in Nagaland, but I am still constantly moving. I am a traveler who models, and now I also own a vintage …

“We Want to Preserve Our Folk Songs and Native Language ‘Kok Borok’ Through Our Music” – Meet Folk-Fusion Band KOLOMA from Tripura

Published by Vilina

With the growing genre of music these days, folk music may be fading into oblivion. So today, we are pleased to feature KOLOMA – a 5 member band from Tripura that has been formed with the goal to preserve their traditional folk music. They write songs in their local tribal language ‘Kokborok’ and hope to preserve and pass on their culture to future generations. As a band, Ronel, Kiyok, Shimul, Rumio, and Bhaskar write songs about love, inspiration, life and struggles, in “Kok Borok” – the native language of the indigenous people in Tripura. Read on to know everything about KOLOMA – the band, their story and what they aim to achieve through their music. Please introduce yourselves, and tell us how you guys came together to form KOLOMA. Also, what does “KOLOMA” mean? “KOLOMA” is a word derived from a former script in the tribal Kokborok language. We are a 5 member Folk-Fusion band based in Tripura. Our compositions are mostly about contemporary life and romance. Rumio Debbarma is the lead vocalist, composer, lyricist and plays the folk instruments …

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This 18-Year-Old Photographer Has a Unique Talent of Capturing People in Their Most Beautiful Element | Meet Richard Pao From Manipur

Published by Vilina

They say, ‘we take photographs as a return ticket to a moment gone otherwise’ but it is more than that for this young and talented aspiring photographer from Manipur, who hopes to click portraits of people to remind them how beautiful they are in their most natural and candid self. 18-year-old Richard Pao said this was his first time sharing his story with a stranger and that he felt privileged for the opportunity. We think that this marks the beginning of an era and a start to a successful career as a photographer. Read on to know more about him, about his passion for photography, what sparked his interest in this profession and more. We would love to know more about you – Where are you from and what are you up to? Hello, I’m Richard Pao from Imphal. I’m 18 years of age and just completed 12th grade. I love coffee and traveling. I am currently taking a year off to focus on photography and writing. I hope to take up cinematography professionally along with photography. How …

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Joseph’s Travel Pics Show Us Why We All Need A Little Bit Of Bhutan In Our Lives!

Published by Joseph Solomon

They say not all who wander are lost and traveling definitely gives you the freedom to discover things you would not be able to experience otherwise. Bhutan known for its breathtaking landscapes, beautiful monasteries and historical dzongs (fortresses) is a heaven for anyone seeking for a country that is VISA free for us! Joseph Solomon is a 23-year-old, currently staying in New Delhi. Read on as he takes us through his trip to the land of Thunder Dragons and coined as the happiest country in the world – Bhutan. He also shares his top 5 recommendations for anyone traveling to Bhutan. Joseph in Takin National Park Thimpu, Bhutan “The Indian U-15 Women’s were playing in the SAFF Championship in Bhutan and I was fortunate enough to travel with them to Thimphu and Paro.” “I stayed in Thimphu for 14 days and my mission was to do something – anything new – every day. There was no plan, I just asked people about local treks and hikes and googled my way around those during my trip.” …

#Faces | Shwayi’s Beautiful Visit To Paro Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery, Bhutan

Published by Nara Longkumer

  “I was in Bhutan for a vacation with my Bhutanese friends from college. I’m from Mizoram and currently studying at Sharda University. Since we all take the same course (Bachelors Degree in Dental Science) we visited Bhutan as an ‘after exams’ trip.  This picture was taken at Taktsang, Bhutan. Taktsang means  “Tiger’s Nest.” I loved vacationing with my friends – to see the place they’re from and to see their hometown through their eyes. The whole experience turned out to be a giant memorable trip but Taktsang Monastery stood out. It was beautiful to see the devotion with which so many people walk through such a steep mountain to pay their respect. The tiger’s nest cave was scary and different from anything I had ever done before. The climb was hard for me but it was such a treat to finally look upon a temple constructed on such a precarious cliff. I liked almost all the food I ate there, although I had tasted many prior to the visit courtesy my friends who sometimes cook in our …