Creative art in its many forms is making a huge impact among the young in Nagaland. With its implication on modern lifestyle, ‘trendy’ is in and Kohima is also the perfect place to be when it comes to flaunting the newest techniques of fashion even if it means reviving a long lost art from our distant, and for many, hazy past.
This was one of the reasons why Lemsendong Longkumer found it invigorating to branch out ‘Art Galleria’ which has its base in Mokokchung. Placed neatly in Officers’ Hill, adjacent to Red Cross Building, Kohima, this Tattoo Studio has, for the past year greatly made an impression on passers-by and clients alike for creating an identity of its own.
In an afternoon tête-à-tête, the young artist expressed keenness on pursuing art as a serious profession. He feels that ‘80% of Nagas are interested in art, although they may have different views on it’.
Referring to the art of tattooing of the days of yore, he says that carrying forward the art is ‘almost like doing research on a part of our culture’. And although it is an art that requires painstaking precision, the young man says he thoroughly enjoy what he does.
The creative soul in Lemsendong had led him to sketching and painting from a very young age. Years down the line, he has honed his skill and is living his dream even as he looks to go further in the pa
th he has chosen.
T-shirt paintings, logos and cards are among his specialities, but tattooing is the art that remains close to his heart.
As he goes about skilfully applying his art on the skins of those who desire, Lemsendong is always very stringent with the necessary procedures to ensure that undesirable side effects do not occur. He informs that he uses a special Ayurvedic ink unlike most people who use fabric colour which are reportedly often unhygienic and unsafe.
One may actually like to think that his Animation Course in Arena, Bangalore, has fashioned him well, for it was after this that he started off on his journey of tattooing in the year 2006. Pursuing it briefly in Bangalore, he, however, felt it would be more fulfilling to move homeward and be of service to our own people. There are customers who testify to the perfect work he does and if that’s anything to go by then he has already achieved part of his goal.
It is his interest to also promote the Naga culture and he detests any tattoo designs which are anti-Christ, to which end, he also makes sure that his clients go back with designs they can feel good about in the long run.
Interestingly, a new addition in the ‘Art Galleria’ may come as very good news to its female clients. Having completed a 6-month course from Lambency Chrysallis, Noida last December, Aben Pongen may be one of the first Nail Technicians in the State.
After finishing her course, she says she thought it would be a good idea to get it started in Nagaland. “Why not Nagaland if people are doing it here” she quips, ‘here’ meaning Noida and other places where ‘people wear it for occasions, weddings and other special events’.
The application, she explains, is done leaving one hairline away from the cuticles and normally applied in three strokes. Further enlightening on the art, she says it takes about 45 minutes for ten finger nails and that tools used for nail painting also includes a triple zero brush while dwelling on the use of nail acrylic, most of which have to be procured from outside the state.
Besides meticulously painting the nails with detailed art of her own, other aspects of the nail that she deals with include nail extension that uses gel and UV lamp and lasts for 6 months. An alumnus of Senayangba Higher Secondary School, Aben does not find it necessary to pursue her graduation and rather states that she has ‘always been interested in professional courses’. Apparently, she has found her niche. And to this end, she expresses profuse gratitude to the State Government for the sponsorship that enabled her to take the beautician course.
For the most part, she is delighted that ‘we have become fashion educated’ while also finding it promising that Nail Art will soon catch up here as in the rest of the country. In fact, she states that the art it is relatively new even in India. She also voiced excitement on the venture which she has recently tied up with Art Galleria.
The story behind the connection is that these two young enterprising creative souls are also childhood friends who grew up appreciating art. Today as they run a studio together which serves more than the purpose of fulfilling a dream makes one believe that if anything, art is ready to scale greater heights.
In the wake of youthful zeal and earnest love for things, there is hope that alongside the ‘year of entrepreneurs’, new ventures as well as existing ones will take their flight in the area of entrepreneurship. For this is the need and, surely, some of them are willing to go the distance, and Art certainly is a way to go.
This was one of the reasons why Lemsendong Longkumer found it invigorating to branch out ‘Art Galleria’ which has its base in Mokokchung. Placed neatly in Officers’ Hill, adjacent to Red Cross Building, Kohima, this Tattoo Studio has, for the past year greatly made an impression on passers-by and clients alike for creating an identity of its own.
In an afternoon tête-à-tête, the young artist expressed keenness on pursuing art as a serious profession. He feels that ‘80% of Nagas are interested in art, although they may have different views on it’.
Referring to the art of tattooing of the days of yore, he says that carrying forward the art is ‘almost like doing research on a part of our culture’. And although it is an art that requires painstaking precision, the young man says he thoroughly enjoy what he does.
The creative soul in Lemsendong had led him to sketching and painting from a very young age. Years down the line, he has honed his skill and is living his dream even as he looks to go further in the pa
th he has chosen.
T-shirt paintings, logos and cards are among his specialities, but tattooing is the art that remains close to his heart.
As he goes about skilfully applying his art on the skins of those who desire, Lemsendong is always very stringent with the necessary procedures to ensure that undesirable side effects do not occur. He informs that he uses a special Ayurvedic ink unlike most people who use fabric colour which are reportedly often unhygienic and unsafe.
One may actually like to think that his Animation Course in Arena, Bangalore, has fashioned him well, for it was after this that he started off on his journey of tattooing in the year 2006. Pursuing it briefly in Bangalore, he, however, felt it would be more fulfilling to move homeward and be of service to our own people. There are customers who testify to the perfect work he does and if that’s anything to go by then he has already achieved part of his goal.
It is his interest to also promote the Naga culture and he detests any tattoo designs which are anti-Christ, to which end, he also makes sure that his clients go back with designs they can feel good about in the long run.
Interestingly, a new addition in the ‘Art Galleria’ may come as very good news to its female clients. Having completed a 6-month course from Lambency Chrysallis, Noida last December, Aben Pongen may be one of the first Nail Technicians in the State.
After finishing her course, she says she thought it would be a good idea to get it started in Nagaland. “Why not Nagaland if people are doing it here” she quips, ‘here’ meaning Noida and other places where ‘people wear it for occasions, weddings and other special events’.
The application, she explains, is done leaving one hairline away from the cuticles and normally applied in three strokes. Further enlightening on the art, she says it takes about 45 minutes for ten finger nails and that tools used for nail painting also includes a triple zero brush while dwelling on the use of nail acrylic, most of which have to be procured from outside the state.
Besides meticulously painting the nails with detailed art of her own, other aspects of the nail that she deals with include nail extension that uses gel and UV lamp and lasts for 6 months. An alumnus of Senayangba Higher Secondary School, Aben does not find it necessary to pursue her graduation and rather states that she has ‘always been interested in professional courses’. Apparently, she has found her niche. And to this end, she expresses profuse gratitude to the State Government for the sponsorship that enabled her to take the beautician course.
For the most part, she is delighted that ‘we have become fashion educated’ while also finding it promising that Nail Art will soon catch up here as in the rest of the country. In fact, she states that the art it is relatively new even in India. She also voiced excitement on the venture which she has recently tied up with Art Galleria.
The story behind the connection is that these two young enterprising creative souls are also childhood friends who grew up appreciating art. Today as they run a studio together which serves more than the purpose of fulfilling a dream makes one believe that if anything, art is ready to scale greater heights.
In the wake of youthful zeal and earnest love for things, there is hope that alongside the ‘year of entrepreneurs’, new ventures as well as existing ones will take their flight in the area of entrepreneurship. For this is the need and, surely, some of them are willing to go the distance, and Art certainly is a way to go.
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