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