Kohima: Food writer and digital creator Avantika Roohi pushed for the preservation of indigenous culture during the PA Sangma Dialogues on Friday. The event took place at the Dimapur Government College auditorium. The departments of Political Science and History hosted the talk alongside the PA Sangma Foundation. Roohi addressed a crowd under the title, The Kitchen and the Loom: Food, Culture and the Politics of Diversity.
Her path began with a simple tomato chutney video posted to Instagram four years ago. The post unexpectedly reached a massive audience. That success drove her to record the dishes she grew up with, eventually leading her to MasterChef India despite having no formal training. She now maintains a following of over 250,000 on her account, roohi_haflongbar. She uses the platform to spotlight Haflong and Dimasa traditions. "There is beauty in the ordinary things," she said.
Roohi noted that she even turns criticism regarding traditional diets into a positive, as it shows people are finally noticing Northeastern food. She also advocates for the revival of Dimasa handloom. With over 120 unique designs tied to oral history and nature, the craft remains a priority. She helps local weavers connect with new markets. Along with her husband, she manages the Big Bang! Festival of Love. The event brings roughly 500 visitors into villages like Nanadisa. These trips focus on jhum cultivation, Judima, and weaving demonstrations to ensure profits stay with farmers and artisans.
She told young creators to focus on consistency and collaboration. She warned against trying to mimic others. Instead, she urged the youth to start documenting their own lives. "You don't need to be the greatest chef or the greatest designer. You just do it," she said.
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