Hand-poured by best friends who believe fragrance is a feeling.
1. Tell us a little about yourself—who you are, what you do, and how art became a part of your journey.
So, story time.. because that’s how most good things start.
Few years ago, Anupama had tried making candles in old mason jars, just for fun. Then life happened, tastes changed and candles were quietly shelved.
Fast forward a few years. Enter Kashish.. someone who treats fragrance like a personality trait. Somewhere between long phone calls and half-serious ideas, we said,
“Wait… what if we start something together?” That’s how Sage o’ Tan was born. As a reselling idea.
(Plot twist: we hated it.)
Because if we’re doing something, we can’t do it half-hearted. So we paused, unlearn and started again (this time properly).
What came out of that reset is what Sage o’ Tan really is: thoughtfully designed soy wax candles, infused with mica and inspired by Indian notes we grew up with like lotus, champa, sage, cinnamon, jasmine. Scents that feel familiar, comforting and a little nostalgic, like being pulled back into warm, slower days.
Each candle is poured into the cutest, quirkiest ceramic mugs. when the candle’s done? You’re left with a collectible you’ll actually want to keep — not just another empty jar.
At the end of the day, every Sage o’ Tan candle is a little piece of home. And very honestly, a little piece of us.
2. Art isn’t just something we see—it’s something we live with. How does art seep into your daily life? And what does art mean to you?
Art quietly lives with us — in our morning chai mugs, half-burnt candles, old playlists on repeat, street colours we notice without trying, and those 2 AM Pinterest spirals we pretend are “research". For us, art is comfort. It’s how we slow down, make sense of things and find small moments of joy in everyday routines.
3. Why do you think handcrafted art matters today more than ever?
Because so much around us feels rushed, replicated and disposable. Handcrafted art still carries time, intention, and human touch — the fingerprints, the tiny imperfections, the feeling that someone actually cared while making it. That kind of honesty is rare and that’s what makes it meaningful.
4. How many years have you been practicing this craft?
We’ve been learning and experimenting for a little over a year now — through a lot of trial and error, failed pours, and many “okay, let’s never do that again” moments. Every mistake taught us something, and we’re still learning.
5. What makes an artist an artist? (like who can call themselves an artist/what counts as being an artist)
The urge to create, even when it’s inconvenient and you don't see any profits and everyone tells you to quit. nEven when there’s no guarantee it’ll work. No rules, no degrees... just the need to make something exist.
6. What does being an artist/brand that sells art mean to you?
It means putting something deeply personal into the world and trusting strangers to make it part of their everyday lives. To light it, use it, live with it , not keep it untouched on a shelf. That, to us, is the most beautiful part.
7. How long does it usually take to create one piece from start to finish?
Anywhere from a few hours to a few days.. depending on the mood, the weather, and whether the candle gods agree with us that day.
8. What drew you to the medium(s) you work with?
Have always been intrigued by candles but always felt that it was a bit inconvenient to move them while they are lit so we thought of making them in cute ceramic mugs and it worked perfectly. Candles felt warm, intimate and lived-in. Ceramics let us play with texture and colour. Together, they just made sense.
9. How do you see art products being perceived in an Indian market?
People are slowly moving from “showpiece” to “use it and enjoy it. There’s more appreciation now for stories, sustainability and handmade things.
10. What’s a misconception people have about your craft?
That “it’s easy” or “just pouring wax. There’s science, patience and a lot of failed batches behind every good candle.
11. What’s a skill in your craft that took you years to perfect?
Scent balancing. Getting a fragrance to feel right, not overpowering, not forgettable. It takes time.
12. Scent is deeply personal. It can bring back memories, emotions, even people. Is there one fragrance you’ve created that feels most personal or nostalgic to you?
Staying Sage (pink lotus and sage) It smells calm, grounding, and familiar.
13. As best friends, how does your bond influence the creative process? Do you ever experience creative clashes? If so, how do you deal with them?
We’re very different, and that’s what keeps everything balanced. Hard to believe but we rarely clash... instead, we bring different instincts to the table and meet somewhere in the middle. One of us questions, the other refines; one dreams, the other grounds it. That contrast keeps the process real, thoughtful, honest and always evolving.
14. The mix of soy wax and mica shows a clear commitment to sustainability. How do you balance that eco-conscious approach with your artistic freedom and experimentation?
We treat sustainability as a starting point, not a limitation. Soy wax, mica, reusable ceramics — they push us to be more thoughtful, not less creative.
15. If you were to make a Kala Curry inspired candle, what would it smell like?
Slow Simmer - Curry leaf, star anise, cinnamon bark, coconut milk, and soft smoke.
Slow Simmer mirrors the spirit of Kala Curry — thoughtful, layered, and made with time. Like handcrafted work, the scent unfolds gently, never rushed. Curry leaf roots it in everyday Indian rituals, while warm spices and soft smoke add depth and memory rather than drama.
Each note stands on its own yet blends seamlessly, much like the many artisans and crafts Kala curry brings together. It celebrates patience, human touch, and the quiet beauty of things made slowly which is exactly what Kala curry represents.
16. Is there a song that captures the spirit of your work or something you love listening to while creating?
We’d say “When We Feel Young” by When Chai Met Toast. It’s soft, uplifting, and unhurried — the kind of music that lets you get lost in making something with care. We love that it’s multilingual, because it mirrors us: Anupama from the South, Kashish from the North, coming together to create something layered, honest, and whole. Like our candles, it’s familiar, comforting and quietly joyful.
Obsessed already? Same. Shop Sage o Tan's Art and bring a piece of their world home on Kala Curry.