This Week In Culture: Teesta Troopers, A Picture Book Of Indian Street Signs, & Much More

Welcome to this week's edition of Homegrown's Culture Bulletin. Along with May flowers, we bring you the sounds of Teesta Troupers, a group of musicians and writers from Sikkim and a story about power dynamics and the human toll of overwork in a factory setting with Prateek Vats' short film Jal Tu Jalaal Tu. You'll also learn how to embrace your inner Nolan with the Let's Make Films Summer Camp by Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) and The Peninsula Studios. Aspiring filmmakers aged 13 to 24 learn the art of scriptwriting, camera operation, and more.

Additionally, we're bringing you selection of homegrown White Kurta Brands that are perfect for hot summer days. You can also savour some nostalgia with the Kaapi Dabba by Davrah Coffee and dive into the cultural significance of hand-painted street signs in India with SADAK by Aradhana Seth, a picture book celebrating the skill of sign painters like Raza Abbas and Praveen Chauhan.

Teesta Troupers

Teesta Troupers is a group of musicians and writers from Sikkim, India, who came together in a small jam room below a garage on the Teesta highway. Inspired by their challenging socio-economic environment and a vision for creative expression, they formed the band comprising Daniel, Manoj (MJ Humble), Anil (Mr Anix), and Ashish. Their debut album, 'Sound of Streets' reflects their resilience and authentic storytelling, capturing the essence of their homeland and personal experiences. Despite facing challenges like the loss of their jam room in a flood, they continue to create music while showcasing their dedication as young, homegrown artists.

Check them out here.

Jal Tu Jalaal Tu By Prateek Vats

The short film delves into the power dynamics and human toll of overwork in a factory setting. Through a single laugh that disrupts the oppressive silence, the film explores themes of authority, oppression, and the subversive nature of laughter as a form of rebellion. It sheds light on the struggles of the working class, emphasizing the impact of societal structures on individual lives and the suppression of human dignity within a rigid hierarchy.

Check it out here.

Let's Make Films Summer Camp

Hosted by Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) and The Peninsula Studios, the workshop offers aspiring storytellers aged 13 to 24 a comprehensive 10-day experience in filmmaking. Participants learn scriptwriting, camera operation, audio recording, video editing, special effects, sound design, music integration, directing actors, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and teamwork. The camp includes a one-day studio visit and the chance to screen films at FootPrint Film Festivals. Faculty members Bidisha Roy Das, Priyanjana Dutta, Nilav Bose, and Debadrita Bose bring diverse expertise to enrich participants' filmmaking journey.

Check it out here.

Homegrown White Kurta Brands

We've been told this since we were kids - wear light or white coloured clothes in summer because light colours reflect sunlight as well as heat so our body doesn't heat up as much. Luckily we're also from a country that specializes in textile sensibilities that are rooted in our climatic conditions. Sure, we have the loo and heatwaves but we also have cotton kurtas to make the summers palatable. We bring you a list of Homegrown white kurta brands specialize in crafting modern renditions of collarless, loose-fitted kurtas that perfectly suit the Indian summer and are versatile for year-round wear with designs that blend traditional elegance with contemporary styles, offering a refreshing take on a classic wardrobe staple.

Check them out here.

The Kaapi Dabba by Davrah Coffee

Chennai-based Davrah coffee's new Kaapi Dabba is a stainless steel container that honors Indian culinary heritage and family traditions. Designed by Karthiknathan Sowbaghyanathan, it symbolizes nostalgia, sustainability, and cultural identity, serving as a tangible link to the past and a comforting reminder of home. Its enduring presence in Indian households embodies a conscious choice towards waste reduction and a commitment to respecting the environment, making it an indispensable part of daily routines and a cherished symbol of heritage and tradition.

Check it out here.

SADAK By Aradhana Seth

Sadak celebrates India's hand-painted street signs, recognizing their cultural significance and the skill of sign painters like Raza Abbas and Praveen Chauhan. The book categorizes signs into commerce, culture, and nature, providing biographies of featured artists and critical insights by Kajri Jain and Francesco Clemente. It urges appreciation for this fading art form's commentary on Indian society and the unique visual identity it has shaped.

Check it out here.

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