All posts tagged: Music

Rootsandleisure_Hornbill2018

Everything You Need to Know About The Hornbill Festival, Nagaland 2018 | How To Get There, Where To Stay, What to Expect and More!

It’s that time of the year once again! With this year’s edition of the much loved Hornbill Festival just around the corner, we are here today to relieve your worries and tensions by guiding you with all the information you need to know about the venue, transport facilities and homestays, etc. Read on to find out everything and more about this annual extravaganza – happening from Dec 1-10 in Nagaland, in the North East of India. The Hornbill Festival is celebrated annually from the 1st to 10th of December in Nagaland. Organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, it is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 10 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. About Hornbill Festival, Nagaland Hornbill Festival is named after the great Indian hornbill – a large and colorful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the northeastern state’s tribes. The festival was started to encourage inter-tribal interaction of the many states of the region. It also aims to revive and protect the …

Meet Eyingbemo Ovung – Soulful Singer from Nagaland, Who Now Teaches Music To Young Aspiring Musicians in Delhi

To discover your talent at a very young age is indeed a wonderful gift from God. When Eying discovered his true passion, he managed to keep up with certain obligations, didn’t waste his talent but developed it. Growing up with a strong passion for music, he was singing in his church choir and taking part in other musical activities, all through his childhood. His love and respect for music have brought him to where he is today. Now working far away from home, Eying still looks back to his life in Nagaland and teaches school kids in Delhi, all he learned as a child.  We had a chat with Eyingbemo Ovung – a talented musician from Nagaland, who now teaches music to young aspiring musicians in Delhi. He talks about his roots and the many reasons he finds joy in his work. Read on to know more about him. Hello Eying! Do introduce yourself to our readers. Hello, my name is Eyingbemo Ovung. I was born and brought up in Kohima, Nagaland. After I finished school, I graduated …

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“Architects, Planners, Designers, Artists and Everyone Can Do Our Bit to Protect Our Environment” – Meet Ditty – Singer Songwriter and Architect from Delhi

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything” ~Plato. Today we have a soulful musician – Aditi Veena aka DITTY from Delhi who is doing her bit to bring attention to the impermanence of nature and the importance to conserve our mother earth – through her gift of music. She is also a professional architect, who tries to stay true to her concerns for the environment through various environmental conservation projects. She was also at Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh recently to perform at the Ziro music festival. We caught up with her to know more her music and more. Talented musician and singer-songwriter Aditi Veena, aka, DITTY from New Delhi chats with R&L team about her music, what drives her art, her recent trip to Ziro Music Festival, her upcoming album ‘Poetry Ceylon’ and more. Hi Ditty! Thanks for speaking with us. Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and what’s been keeping you busy. Hi! …

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A Chat With the Super Stylish and Soulful Singer-Songwriter, TK Lemtur from Mokokchung, Nagaland

  “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” ~Walt Whitman. Following in this light, we try to surround ourselves and our readers with a happy dose of happy inspirational stories daily. For, to be in the company of interesting folks is always a delight – especially on days when we are feeling dull and uninspired. Today, we have a charming and talented 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Nagaland, who is also a full-time master’s student of Olericulture at SHUATS Allahabad. Tzudikumzuk Lemtur a.k.a TK Lemtur from Mokokchung is a passionate singer and songwriter, and a fashionable one at that! We caught up with him to know more about him, and also to get a taste of his sartorial style. T.K Lemtur from Nagaland takes us through his musical journey, his Naga roots, his fashionable indulgences and much more! Hello TK! Tell us a little about yourself and what you’ve been up to. I am Tzudikumzuk Lemtur, better known as TK Lemtur. I’m 24 years old from Mokokchung, Nagaland and am currently pursuing my Master’s degree …

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R&L Editor Megumi D’Souza Takes Us Through Her Fun-Filled Life in Mumbai – Juggling Work, Gigs and R&L

Another exciting post as we introduce yet another team member today. Our friend Megumi – a “halfu” with an Indian dad and a Japanese mom, is currently helping our team as an editor – sitting out of Mumbai. A multi-talented creative personality, she juggles her time between a full-time job, gigs (she sings in a band) and R&L commitments. We are indeed one of the luckiest teams to be constantly surrounded by like-minded passionate individuals – each bringing in their unique set of contributions, making Roots and Leisure a true example of how diversity can be an engine of creativity. Having said all that, let’s go on to get to know her more 🙂 For this edition of R&L’s #FaceReveal, we introduce you to Megumi Dsouza – our editor from Mumbai. A powerhouse of energy, she breathes a fresh whiff of creativity to the R&L team, and today she gives us a glimpse into her life as she shares a slice from her fun-filled daily schedules. Hello Megumi, please introduce yourself to our readers. Tell us what you do, …

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Ziro Festival Of Music Special | Meet Augustine Shimray of Featherheads – A Multi Talented Musician and Artist Who Is Deeply Rooted and Proud of His Naga Culture

From music to modeling to designing artifacts, the multi-talented Augustine Shimray is one creative talent you’ve got to know! Brought up in Dimapur, Nagaland, Augustine is very proud of his North-Eastern roots and incorporates his culture into everything he does. For the moment, he is excited to perform at this year’s edition of Ziro Festival of Music with his band, Featherheads.  “Today everything that I do, the way I look, whatever I represent… like my tattoos incorporate modern designs with my ancestors’ headhunter tattoos, the earlobe piercings, the costumes that I wear, the songs that I sing…  I walk my roots everywhere I go.”  We are happy to feature the multi-talented Augustine Shimray from North East India, as he lets us into his creative mind space and tells us about his inspirations and how his curiosity to learn about his roots has helped shape his life and work. Hello Augustine! How are you? Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’ve been up to. I am Augustine Shimray, a free spirit born in the 80’s in …

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Head Over to Mikado Lounge, Shillong To Experience a Fun Night Out in The Hills of Meghalaya

Shillong is one of the places in North East India that has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and nightlife throughout the year. So for all travelers planning to visit Shillong, make sure you explore the various cafes, restaurants, restobars to unwind your day after exploring the natural landscape in the area. Today in the spotlight, we have Mikado Lounge – a restobar located in Police Bazar Shillong. With an aim to change the restaurant and nightlife scene in Shillong, Mikado Lounge offers a lively ambiance – complete with food, drinks and live entertainment. We chat with Pooja from Mikado Lounge to get a glimpse into what they have to offer. We chat with Pooja from Mikado Lounge, Shillong to introduce us to the host of offerings for folks about town looking for some evening entertainment. Hello. Happy to have you with us today! Tell us a bit about the founders of Mikado Lounge. The journey of Hotel Pine Borough started way back in 1991 with its two wings namely, The Sunset Bar, and Mikado Restaurant. After …

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Ziro Music Festival Special | A Chat With Takar Nabam, A Self Taught Musician From Itanagar Who Is All Set To Rock The ZFM Stage

For Takar Nabam, a musician from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, music has been his best friend since he’s spent his school years away from home. He picked up the guitar, taught himself some tasty chops and mastered the main techniques and skills on stage at his school events. He’s now moved back home to help his parents, spend some time reconnecting with his roots, and is currently preparing to grace the stage at Ziro Festival of Music this year! Ziro Festival is one of the most talked about outdoor music festivals in India! Started in 2012, this four-day festival is now in its 7th edition. With music and performances by bands and talented musicians from all over the country and abroad, this festival is one that has to be experienced at least once for any travel, music or festival junkie. You can check out our coverage of  Ziro Festival of Music 2017 and 2016 Today, we chat with musician, guitar player, singer-songwriter and performer, Takar Nabam as he prepares to perform with his band at Ziro Festival of …

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Singer-Songwriter Marmen Talks About Growing Up in a family of Musicians in Nagaland and Her Life as a Full-Time Musician in Hyderabad

  Marmen was 6 years old when she sang at her first gig. Fully backed and supported by her mother and family, this singer from Nagaland has grown up performing at Church, school and many other cultural functions. You may have heard her lovely voice from her debut song called “Shitty Luv”, written and recorded with fellow singer-songwriter Oren Mozhui.  We had a little chat with singer Marmen from Nagaland about her songwriting and music, which she says is continually influenced by her personal life and family. She talks to us about her passion for music, her love for her job and her plans for the near future. Hello Marmen. Tell us a bit about yourself. Hi, my name is Marmenla M Pongen. I’m also known as Amenla and Marmen. I was born on the 21st of April, 1991 in Kohima, Nagaland. I’m the youngest of 6 siblings and now, I live in Hyderabad and a full-time singer and performer. What got you started as a full-time musician and stage performer? With my mom as …

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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

  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 …