This Week In Culture: A Video Game Set In Chennai, Artisanal Natural Perfumes, & More

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

Conversations with Strangers By Nirali Naik

In 'Conversations with Strangers', Nirali Naik explores themes of roots, connection, and resilience in her familial town. Emphasizing the profound ties to place and the comfort of a close-knit community, her lens focuses on Sundar kaki, adding a personal dimension. The project delves into small-town life, shared history, loss, and resilience, with Sundar kaki's tragedy highlighting emotional undercurrents. Nirali's work also touches on the intersection of language, space, and cultural identity. Through her visual storytelling, she transforms the mundane into the extraordinary, resonating with universal themes for a global audience.

Check it out here.

VIDEO GAMES

Project Madras by Royston Cinemo

Project Madras is a standout indie open-world game set in Chennai, India. Immersing players in the city's vibrant culture, it explores iconic locations and figures, offering a mix of entertainment and education with purposeful missions. The game's strength lies in representing Chennai's cultural diversity, incorporating the Tamil language and showcasing local interactions and delicacies along with aesthetics inspired by Tamil cinema. The gameplay, featuring dynamic environments and interactive elements, promises an engaging experience.

Check it out here.

MUSIC

Genesis By Monica Dogra

Monica Dogra explores spiritual and meditative realms in her collaborative venture, 'Genesis,' alongside Victorien. Stemming from their contemplative concert series, Nākaloka, the album provides a serene and transformative experience through calming instruments and movements. Nākaloka, born from Dogra and Victorien's shared vision, invites participants to explore the intersection between the individual and community. The intentional steps and noble silence in the concert series aim to foster a profound connection with spirituality and community, guiding attendees on a two-hour journey within a candlelit space.

Check it out here.

FASHION

COMET x SANTANU

This project was born from Utkarsh and Dishant's passion for sneakers, collaborated with Santanu Hazarika to create a bold black and red sneaker featuring the iconic Comet logo. Beyond footwear, it symbolizes a movement with Santanu's involvement extending to promoting Comet's success. The design, inspired by heavy metal aesthetics, offers versatile style options and becomes a wearable piece of rebellious self-expression.

Check it out here.

Qua's Contemporary Women's Workwear

Qua, meaning strength in Arabic, embodies contemporary fashion, seamlessly blending modernity with timeless allure. Tailored for strong, independent women, the brand prioritizes style and comfort over trends, using high-quality fabrics sourced from Turkey. From the Sculpted Waistcoat Set to the Essential Denim Set, Qua revives power dressing with top-notch cuts and meticulous details. As a go-to brand for the modern woman, Qua crafts a narrative of strength and enduring style through thoughtful designs and premium quality.

Check it out here.

EXHIBITION

Ukkadam Art District By St+Art

Ukkadam Art District, initiated by St+art in 2020, is a vibrant open-air gallery in Coimbatore, infusing the city's cultural essence through diverse artist contributions. In 2022, the district focused on environmental conservation with 'Wetland Biodiversity,' showcasing three impactful murals depicting Coimbatore's fragile ecosystem. 'Utopian Ukkadam' by Jayesh Sachdev stands out, harmonizing tradition and modernity. Beyond aesthetics, the district serves as a platform for exploring community and interconnectedness, offering a nuanced perspective on shared human experiences and reflecting vibrant communal life in this dynamic urban enclave.

Check it out here.

PRODUCT DROP

Call Of The Valley

Call of the Valley epitomizes elegance, luxury, and sophistication, prioritizing natural resources, artisanal methods, and transparency. Committed to simplicity and purity, the brand's perfumes offer a personal olfactory journey, resonating with the wearer's inner self. Using cotton seed oil for naturalism, each fragrance undergoes a patient co-distillation process with sandalwood for a unique depth. Ethical sourcing and collaboration with North Indian perfumers' families ensure reverence for nature and community. The fragrance repertoire includes Lay, Frangipani Flower, White Ginger Lily, Sandalwood, and Henna. Beyond perfumery, Call of the Valley offers precious oils like Coco Milk Oil, Pure Argan Oil, Avocado Oil, and Moringa Oil for holistic skin and hair care.

Check it out here.

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

Celebrate World Pizza Day With A Homegrown Guide To Mumbai’s Best Artisanal Pizzas

Jayhaan, MC Zulu, & DJ Su Real's New Music Video Is A Primal Dance Through Animated Eons

Watch Rapper Jay Kila Comedically Dissect Indian Hip-Hop Culture In His New Web Series