A'nextwave'IndianoriginYouTuber

Shyamali Sinha's popular YouTube channel Foodie's Hut chosen for the 'One Million Views' project, as part ofthe Next Wave Festival

BY DHANYASAMUEL

Next \'<lave isan experimental arts festival that has been runningbi-annually in Melbourneforthepast 30 years. Established in 1984, thernainideologyof the festivalhas been to providecareer development and presentation opportunities to artists, particularly emerging artists. The festival va.luesideas chatarerisk-taking,andalso emphasises onthe inclusionof artists from diverse genders, sexualorientationsand cultural backgrounds

'Onel'vlill.ion Views' is thedebut collaborativeproject ofXanthe Dobbie andTiyanBaker,awardwinningdigital artistswhosharea common loveforvideo portraimre,popular culture,newtechnology andtheinternee.

According to socialmedianews.com.au, AustraliansloveYouTube,with 14miUion unique visits inMarch2016 alone. Baker says thatAuscral.ia'sYouTubeconsumption habitsonl.inereflect alove of celebrities andpersonalitiesthatplay intimate roles in theirprivatelives,andyet are almost wholly unacknowledgedbeyondthe internee.

"ThroughOneMill.ionViews,wewantedco investigatethis culm.ralbl.indspot byusing portraituretoaskwhoareYouTubers,why do they make chis content,whowatches this contentandwhy?"

Tiyan andXanche believethat YouTubers areanamazinglot of people andit takesaton ofcreativity,bardwork andcourageto startandkeep achannel going. So OneMill.ionViews is also about legitimising this faceandcelebratingthese YouTubers as true creators. "One of our other major goals withOne1v[illion Views' wasco integrate two major audiences: art audiencesandYouTube audiences. As artistswho loveYouTube,wewanted to see what happenswhen d1ese two worlds get mixed together."

And that'swhere Poodie's Huecomesin, createdby aMelbourne-basedBengalichef celebrating herJoveandpassionforIndian/ Bengali food inheradoptedcountry.

SbyamaliSinhawas bornand brought upinKolkataandmovedto Melbourne in 2011 withher husband. She hasalwayshad apassionfor food,wanting co learnand experience all kinds of tastes,whichmake herabit ofa travel aficionado coo.

Butwhat really drivesheris herpassion forBengaliandIndianfood,wanting to cakeit to aglobalaudience andshowing theworldthat Indiancuisineismore than just curry andbutter chickenmasala.And thiswas themainmotivationbehind her YouTubechannel, Foodie's Hut.

Themove to Melbourne madeSinha homesick forall d10se comforting Ravours andtastes from backhome,andshe actively began co think ofdoingsomethjngabout it. Sbealsonoticed d1erewere very few YouTubechannels focusingon the cuisine of Bengal.Coupledwith her husband's motivation(alsohertechnical expert),she launched Pooclie's HutonBengaliNew Year'sDay in2012.

She cookabriefhiatus cohave abeautiful little girl and rem.med toMelbourneand Pooclie's Hut. Speaking toIndianIiuk, Sinhasaid, "Homecooked food is not just about feecling your hunger,itis alsoabout feeclingandnourishing your soul,igniting memories of family andhomewhichcan bea rather strong emotion whenyouare Livinginadifferenc country. Younot only wantcocookfamiliar tastesbutalso learn traditional recipesandre-create these in yourownkitchen,eventually passingondiat knowledge co the next generation."

Apart fromBengali delicacies, Poodie's Hutis also about simple Indian and international recipes thatare suited for chosewhoare rnshedfortime,andalso chosewho are juststarting colearncooking.

Shyamali is excited about beingapareof theOne MillionViewsproject.She says it is ahugerecognition forherpassion and hardwork, beingfeatured alongside othercreativeYouTubers Italso provides Poodie'sHuewith a globalaudienceanda biggerplatformcoshowcaseherpassionfor food.

To newbiesorwannabeYouTubers, d1e onlythingshe has to say is thatthejourney is along one,and only hardwork,passion and dedicationforyourcraft will helpyou be successful Onel'viillionViewspresentedsix diptych portraits of the YouTubersin shop front windowsalongErrol StreetinNorth Melbourne,from5 to 22May.Also included wasawalkingtour of the exhibition locationswith theartiststhemselves,anda HowtoGoViralYouTuberworkshop on Sunday 8May atArts House.

There is also an onlineportalwith essays, videosandinterviewstharwill bereleased soonatonemillionvie,vs.com.au