All posts tagged: People

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

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. …

‘My Followers Inspired Me to Publish My First Book’ – Rodingpuii, a Self-Published Poet from Mizoram

Rodingpuii is a self-published poet from Mizoram who became a household name, in her home state, because of her raw and beautiful poems on Instagram. Her popularity on social media led to the publishing of her first book, an anthology of 200 poems, ‘Secondhand Scars’ which was a self-funded project and whose first 500+ copies published, were sold out within the first five days. We sat down with this talented woman to discuss her life and what the success of Secondhand Scars means to her as a poet and as a person.  Hi there, would you like to tell us a bit about yourself? My name is Rodingpuii, from Mizoram. I am currently pursuing my Masters in English from Pondicherry University. I have a page on Instagram where I write poetry under the name ‘RDP’ and have recently published a poetry book ‘Secondhand Scars’. Introduce us to your work. What exactly do you do and why? My work as a whole, for lack of better specification, would fall under ‘Poetry’. I take delight in expressing …

‘Books Are Our Favorite Companions’ – Malvika and Mallika, Founders Of ‘The Reading Twins’ From Mumbai

Hailing from Mumbai, twins Malvika and Mallika Mahidhar, share a great passion for reading and writing. Malvika is a teacher, while Mallika is pursuing law and the two also run their passion project called ‘The Reading Twins’. Their blog is a personal journal of everything they read and also a heaven for book lovers. Growing up in a house full of books, they’ve been reading books all their lives. Reading is their primary place of comfort. Grab a cup of coffee as we have an intriguing conversation with these two fascinating women! Hello, Malvika and Mallika! We are excited to have you. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Malvika: I am Malvika. I’m currently a faculty member at a design college in Mumbai. I’m also a writer and am currently working on my first manuscript! Apart from that, I am a self-taught watercolor and acrylic artist.   Mallika: I am Mallika, a reader and a lawyer who loves postcards, clouds and cats. What inspired you two to start your own book blog? We always wanted …

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“Makeup Gave Me Wings to Fly – Even After Losing My Sight in One Eye” Meet NYX Face Award Winner Nimshim Jajo from Manipur

“Makeup is not a mask that covers up your beauty; it’s a weapon that helps you express who you are from the inside.” ~ Michelle Phan.  For 26-year-old Nimshim Jajo from Manipur, makeup helped discover her inner strength as a creative force – when she discovered the art of makeup at a low point in her life “Makeup gave me wings to fly, and a boost to my confidence when I lost sight in my right eye.” Nimshim used the tools of make-up and art as a weapon to shut down everyone that closed doors for her and eventually led her to win the first NYX Face Awards in 2017. Here’s her story.  R&L chats with the talented, positive and super driven, Nimshim Jajo about her struggles in the beauty industry, her journey as a make-up artist and everything she hopes for in the coming years. Hello Nimshim! Tell us about yourself, where you’re from and what you have been up to? My name is Nimshim Jajo or Nim Jajo. I’m 26 years old from Ukhrul, Manipur, and …

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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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In Depth Chat With Koushin Yamada – A Talented Artist From Japan Who Dedicates His Life To Creating Mesmerising And Otherworldly Art

With a passion like none, Koushin Yamada from Japan has made a name for himself in the world of art. After dedicating his life to art, he has found peace in creating work that satisfies himself, no one and nothing else. He’s always searching for something different and shows us that different can be better instead of  ‘following the crowd.’ 日本のファインアーティスト山田耕臣は、たぐい稀なる情熱で、世界のアート界に名をなした芸術家である。彼は、生活をアートに捧げ、何よりも自分自身が満足出来し、自分の心を癒すことが出来る作品を創作し続けてきた。いつも、新しいものを探求し続ける山田耕臣。彼の作品は、大衆に迎合し、既存のものを追い求めるより、何か、新しいものを見つける方が面白いことを、見る人に思い起こさせてくれる。ルーツ・アンド・レジャーは、耕臣の作品、インスピレーション、生活に共感し、彼にインタビューした。  Roots and Leisure talks with the hyper-creative Japanese artist Koushin Yamada from Tokyo. Read on to know about his life, his art and his source of inspiration for his wacky pieces! [Japanese text and translation by Koushin Yamada and Sachiko Imamura D’Souza.] Konichiwa Koushin San! Tell us a bit about yourself, your work and your background. こんにちわ、耕臣さん。まず、耕臣さんご自身について、どの様な創作活動をされてきたか、また、生い立ちについて、簡単に教えて下さい。 Konichiwa! My name is Koushin Yamada. I am 33 years old and was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. Growing up, my family always struggled both financially and physically. My father, who was a clay model artist and art dealer, left my family when I was still a teenager. I didn’t particularly have many close friends and …

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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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#Faces | “I Wanted to Capture The Moment When This Mom (Who Runs a Homestay) Finally Gets Time to Piggyback Her Baby” – Abi Lama, North Sikkim

“I work for a travel company, so this was taken during one of our work visits to a homestay at Gnathang Valley which is at an altitude of 14,000 ft. The woman in the photo runs this warm homestay with her husband, who is posted in North Sikkim. In the picture is her baby Hissey, who is as adorable and caring as her mum. She had just finished serving us breakfast and I managed to take this picture of her and her baby. This picture, to me, really captures her warmth as well as her strength as a woman and as a mother. Because her husband works as a police officer in Sikkim, she runs this homestay by herself for the better part of the year. Gnathang Valley is such a remote place… life up here isn’t as easy as it looks, so just her unabashed zeal and commitment is truly inspiring.” ~ Abigial Lama “I felt like capturing those little moments, like when she gets time to piggyback her baby” – @AbigialLama

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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 …

Owner And Creator of Indie Fashion Label “Alem Ozukum” On How She Seamlessly Incorporates Her Humble Life Motto Into Her Styles and Designs

“Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” – Luke 6:38 (Bible) Today, we’re happy to introduce a rising talent in the fashion scene – designer Alem Ozukum from Nagaland – who clearly knows a thing or two about fashion. She runs her self-named label ‘Alem Ozukum’ single-handedly under simple and humble mottos and  is the sole creator of every piece that she sells. Right from designing to execution, Alem is hands-on when it comes to the entire creative and business process We had a lovely chat with fashion designer Alem Ozukum from Kohima, Nagaland who gave us an insight into her creative process, her humble life mottos and her hopes and dreams for her brand. Hello Alem. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Hi my name is Alemzungla Ozukum, I am a fashion designer based in Kohima, Nagaland. I am the founder and …