This Week In Culture: A Goan Spiced Rum, A Matchbox Mini Zinemaking, Workshop, & More

This Week In CultureL: Neha Shetty R: Yash Rajani

Every week, discover a comprehensive guide to culture and lifestyle across India with the HomegrownBulletin. The #HGBulletin includes creative project launches, drops, the latest releases, and much more.

FILM

FarewellSoham Kundu

'Farewell' - A Homegrown Short Film On Male Friendships

Farewell is a refreshing exploration of soft masculinity between two South Asian men in the UK. Soham Kundu's film normalizes the complexities of South Asian identities, offering poignant insights into the challenges and joys of connections. Navigating friendship, masculinity, and vulnerability, it transcends cultural boundaries, prompting reflection on societal expectations. This festival-bound short film promises a captivating exploration of nuanced friendship dynamics.

Read about it here.

EXHIBITION

Through his lens, Rai strives to carve out space for his subjects, granting them the liberty and respect to thrive within the dynamic tapestry of Mumbai.Nirvair Singh Rai

'Reclaiming Spaces' - A Solo Exhibition By Nirvair Singh Rai

Rai, captivated by Mumbai since 2016, portrays the city's essence through diverse spaces in his exhibition, emphasizing unity in locations like Bandstand and Marine Drive. He captures resilience amidst adversity, showcasing unconventional sanctuaries like tetrapods. Rai highlights nature's tenacity in urban sprawls, questioning the consequences of unbridled development encroaching upon the ocean. Influenced by his Punjab upbringing, Rai's lens allows subjects to reclaim space in Mumbai's vibrant tapestry with freedom and dignity.

Read about it here.

MUSIC

Chiporu is more than just another piece of music; it's a whimsical expedition into a fictitious village crafted by these artists. Amita Sana, Kalmi, & MK Abhilash

'Chiporu' - Kalmi's Video Game-Themed Music Video

Chiporu, born from Kalmi's 2020 piano concept, transcends music, offering a whimsical journey into a meticulously crafted fictitious village. Over two years, with Amita joining in 2021, the 8-bit animated music video narrates a South Indian farmer and his goat chasing a moth, symbolizing life's dichotomies and resilience. The journey culminates in the protagonists discovering a portal to a paradisiacal realm, beautifully underscoring triumph through hardships.

Watch it here.

WORKSHOP

The matchbox mini zinemaking workshop aims to break the stereotype that creating great art necessitates access to expensive supplies or formal art education. Neha Shetty

A Matchbox Mini Zinemaking Workshop

Join Neha Shetty for the Matchbox Mini Zinemaking workshop at Atta Galatta, Bengaluru, on January 20, from 3-4:30 PM teaching participants to craft unique zines from everyday items like matchboxes, candy wrappers, and dried leaves. With no prior knowledge and all materials provided, the workshop aims to democratize art by utilizing readily available materials in South Asian households, fostering creativity without barriers.

Read about it here.

FASHION

Maalicious combines the finesse of Indian workmanship with the city’s urban flair and the founding team’s cultural identity to create a stylish brand that has a strong story to boot. L: From Maalicious Jewellery R: Via Digital Creator Darshana Ahire

'Maalicious' - Hand Made Statement Jewellery

New York City-based Maalicious blends Indian craftsmanship, urban flair, and cultural identity in its stylish jewelry brand. Founded by Poonam Thimmaiah, the brand serves to empower women artisans in India and rejuvenate traditional arts. Each NYC-designed, handmade piece reflects a commitment to quality, featuring 22k gold-plated material and sustainable elements like clay, wood, and silk. The brand responsibly sources materials and spotlights artisans on their website, sharing diverse stories and cultural influences behind each creation.

Read about it here.

FOOD & DRINKS

'Pipa - Rum de Goa' is a premium spiced rum blending Portuguese and Goan cultures.Nao Spirits

'Pipa' - Nao Spirits' New Spiced Rum

Nao Spirits, creators of Greater Than and Hapusa Gin, introduces a spiced rum crafted from jaggery spirit matured for a year named 'Pipa - Rum de Goa', it pays homage to 450 years of cultural cohabitation in Goa, blending Goan and Portuguese influences with spices like Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and Clove. The drink, with notes of hazelnuts and figs, taps into India's growing interest in premium brown spirits.

Read about it here.

BOOKS

Eat My FeelingsYash Rajani

'Eat My Feelings' By Yash Rajani

A poetry book by 22-year-old Mumbai-based artist Yash Rajani, Eat My Feelings goes beyond traditional verses to explore emotion, nostalgia, and self-discovery in young adulthood. Blending Rumi's wisdom, Rupi Kaur's style, and self-help elements, the book is a journey through heartbreak and resilience. Raised in India, Japan, and the United States, Yash uses food to connect with his diverse roots, creating a masterpiece that converges art, emotion, and culinary experiences as a coping mechanism during the pandemic.

Check it out here.

If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:

Mapping Identity: Anoushka Mirchandani's Self-Portraits Explore Womanhood & Migration

A Homegrown Guide To Unconventional Beachside Retreats For A Perfect Weekend Getaway

Karan Kumar’s Hot Wheels-Inspired Typeface Blends Nostalgia With Linguistic Expression

This Week In Culture

Culture Bulletin

This Week In Culture: A Goan Spiced Rum, A Matchbox Mini Zinemaking, Workshop, & More

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