Ruh Qawia – The Story of a Strong Soul, Many Colors, and a Handmade Beginning
India has always been a land of craft , a place where hands speak before machines do. From wooden carvings of Saharanpur to phulkari threads of Punjab, from pottery in Rajasthan to the delicate embroidery across Kashmir , our country doesn’t just make things; it preserves emotions in them.
Maybe that’s why handmade never felt like a choice to me, it felt like home.
Hi, I’m Samiya , a self-taught artist, certified candle maker, and founder of Ruh Qawia. Born and raised in Dehradun , a valley wrapped in mountains and colors, creativity was never something I learned; it was something I absorbed.
My father grew up in Saharanpur, among artisans shaping wood into beauty. My mother grew up surrounded by embroidery, painting, and women who stitched with patience rather than rush.
So yes , somewhere between my father’s world of carving and my mother’s world of color, craft quietly became my language.
As a child, I loved colors , loudly, unapologetically, and endlessly. My school projects always turned into mini exhibitions because both my parents jumped in with ideas, patterns, and techniques. Art class wasn’t a subject for me, it was playtime, expression, and joy all rolled into one.
Ruh Qawia: The Meaning, and Why It Chose Me
The name Ruh Qawia was suggested by my brother.
It means “Strong Soul.”
At first, I laughed, because saying something so intense about yourself feels like announcing your own award.
But he said something that stayed with me:
“Names should reflect truth, and you haven’t broken, even when life tried.”
Life had its storms. Moments where things fell apart. Moments where reality felt heavier than dreams. Moments where giving up seemed easier.
But somewhere, resilience stayed. Hope stayed. I stayed.
So yes, maybe this part is a little embarrassing to say out loud, but it’s true:
This brand carries one of my strongest traits , endurance.
And in that journey came three silent teachers:
- Teamwork, even when the team was just me and courage.
- Consistency , showing up even when failure was more familiar than success.
- Positivity, believing every no was making space for the right yes.
From Hobby to Purpose, Why Handmade?
We live in a time of speed.
Mass-produced everything.
Assembly-line fashion.
Gifts picked and purchased in seconds.
I call it the Zudio phenomenon, you wear something new, step outside, and someone is wearing the same thing.
Cute? Yes.
Unique? Not at all.
So where is the individuality?
Where is the story?
Where is the emotion?
Handmade is slow.
And slow isn’t a drawback, it’s intention.
I could have become a reseller.
Buy in bulk. Sell fast. Repeat.
But that didn’t feel like me.
I love making things from scratch, paintings, crochet pieces, embroidery, quilling, candles, anything that allows my hands to create what my heart imagines.
One day it clicked:
Why create only for myself when I could create for people who value effort, story, and soul?
And suddenly, my hobby turned into something bigger – purpose.
Why Candles? Why Colors? Why Gifting?
Since childhood, colors fascinated me , not just how they looked, but how they felt.
Candles became my medium because they offered everything I love:
- Beauty
- Meaning
- Mood
- Function
- Fragrance
- A little magic
Candles can calm a mind, brighten a room, and turn any ordinary evening into something soft and warm.
And in India, something beautiful AND functional almost always becomes a gift , because we love gifting things that feel thoughtful.
That’s how our gifting line evolved , candles, beaded brooches, curated hampers, and handmade pieces meant not just to look good, but to feel personal.
The Vision , Décor That Feels Like Self-Love
Handmade isn’t just about materials , it’s about energy.
The patience in each stitch.
The breath is held before pouring wax.
The smile that slips in when the final piece is ready.
My vision for Ruh Qawia is simple:
To create pieces that don’t just decorate homes ,
They comfort them.
Pieces that remind people:
You deserve slowness.
You deserve beauty.
You deserve something crafted with love , not rushed by machines.
Handcrafted Gifts × Artful Décor — created slowly, intentionally, and with heart.
If my story speaks to you, I hope my creations do too.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for reading this.
And thank you, for supporting handmade.~ With love and resilience,
Samiya
Founder, Ruh Qawia
Hi, I’m Samiya , a self-taught artist, certified candle maker, and founder of Ruh Qawia