Handmade Floral Soapstone Candle Holders (Set of 6), "Midnight Romance"

"I was born and brought up in Vrindavan town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, which is also a birthplace of Lord Krishna. Our town is considered holy and there are hundreds of temples here. You could almost say there's one in every nook and corner. Many pilgrims come here to worship. I grew up in this beautiful atmosphere where love and peace reign.

"I spent most of my childhood playing in and around the temples with my friends. I did my college studies in Mathura, about 15 kilometers away. My encounter with this artwork occurred when I was about 17. During high school vacations, I would spend time with my cousin who is a miniature artist. As I was interested in this art, I learned from him. After more than four years, I was so fascinated with this craft that I started to work with him.

"After working with my cousin for almost seven years, I decided to work on my own. I setup a small workshop with a couple of artists to help me. Painting was not a very popular craft with Vrindavan shoppers, so I decided to incorporate my creativity into utility items like bowls and vases, and design them with paintings. They were a big hit with my customers who instantly fell in love with these designs, and I've been doing this ever since. Other workers craft the bowls and vases, and my team and I execute the painting. I've even shown my work in several exhibitions across the country.

"Every day is a new experience and I look forward to a long and lasting relationship with Novica."