Shiva Mehandi Art

This is Shiva Mehandi Art, located in Warje Malwadi at Tilak Nagar 1. We aren't a big beauty parlor or anything like that; we just focus on mehandi. I’ve been doing this for a long time, starting out just helping friends and family during weddings. Now I have this small spot where people come when they have a festival or a marriage in the family. It’s a simple shop, usually filled with the smell of fresh henna cones. We do all kinds of designs, from the very heavy bridal patterns that take hours to just simple ones for kids or for festivals like Diwali. I sit on a low stool and work on the designs while we chat. It’s a very local business, and most of the people who come here live in the nearby streets of Tilak Nagar. We don't have fancy chairs or air conditioning, just a fan and some good lighting so I can see the fine lines. Sometimes it gets really crowded during the wedding season, and there’s hardly room to stand, but we manage. I make my own henna paste because I want to be sure the color comes out dark and stays for a long time. People around Warje Malwadi know where to find us when they need their hands decorated. It’s honest work that makes people happy, and I like being part of their celebrations. It is a nice way to spend the day at Tilak Nagar 1 and meet neighbors.