Attar (or ittar) was primarily developed by Persian physician Ibn Sina (also known as Avicenna) in the early 11th century, who first used distillation to extract essential oils from flowers. However, the, techniques for creating natural fragrances date back to 3,000 BCE in the Indus Valley. While rooted in ancient tradition, modern distillation methods were refined during the Mughal period, with Nur Jahan or her mother, Asmat Begum, credited with discovering rose attar in India.
Attar is quite ancient in India; it's more than 60,000 years old. We find mentions of fragrance and perfume in the olden Indian epics and Granths. The kings would begin their day with fragrance. According to 'Agni Purana', they would take bath with over 150 varieties of fragrances.
So yes, attar is widely used by Hindus in various religious and social practices since ancient times. Its aromatic essence plays a crucial role in creating a serene and consecrated atmosphere during poojas, aartis, and other devotional activities.
How is the famous attar of Kannauj made? | The Hindu
Which country is famous for attar?
India is the world's largest exporter of attar, or perfume oil. But the olfactory art and science inspired by Nur Jahan's love for the damask rose has changed in its profile from a high-end personal indulgence to an industry additive. It takes more than 1000 kg of rose petals to make just 6-8ml of Attar.
The 30/50/20 perfume rule is a guideline for blending scents, suggesting a composition of 30% top notes (first impression, light), 50% middle notes (heart of the scent, balance), and 20% base notes (longevity, depth) for a harmonious fragrance. It helps beginners create balanced perfumes by providing simple proportions, like 3 drops of top, 5 of middle, and 2 of base for a 10-drop total. While useful, it's a starting point, as actual percentages vary in professional perfumery.
Due to the role of perfume production in Kannauj, the city is known as "the perfume capital of India". Additionally, one writer said that "Kannauj is to India what Grasse is to France". An expert stated that "Kannauj has been the perfumery town of the country for thousands of years".
Supreme Bouquet Attar is a Floral rich fragrance for women and men. Top notes are Pear and Pink Pepper; Heart notes are Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang and Jasmine; Base notes are Amber, Musk and Patchouli.
In most cases, cheap attars are made with synthetic ingredients, which means they don't have the same therapeutic benefits as pure essential oils. Additionally, the manufacturing process often uses harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health.
In natural attar making, the tola played a central role, with a full tola approximately equal to 11.66 grams and a half tola about 5.83 grams. These measurements corresponded to fragrance bottle sizes of 12ml and 6ml, respectively.
Kannauj – Perfume Capital of India! Famed for its centuries-old tradition of organic attar making, Kannauj is a city where perfume heritage lingers in every corner.
Adil Qadri's perfume brand, AdilQadri, has achieved a remarkable valuation of approximately 200 crores. The company has experienced substantial revenue growth, increasing from Rs 5.3 crore in the fiscal year 2020-21 to Rs 10 crore in 2021-22, and further rising to Rs 20.7 crore in 2022-23.
Opting for natural and alcohol-free attars aligns with the spirit of Sunnah, as mentioned earlier. Popular choices include rose, musk, and sandalwood, each offering unique aromatic experiences.
The highest usage occurs in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, where 76% and 79% of consumers, respectively, wear perfume daily or weekly (Euromonitor). Saudi Arabia leads in per capita consumption at 2.5 liters annually far exceeding Europe's 300 ml (Ocean X).
The oldest attar shop in Delhi is Gulab Singh Johrimal, established in 1816. Located in Dariba Kalan, Chandni Chowk, this 200-year-old shop is renowned for selling traditional Indian perfumes, or attar, and offers a wide range of fragrances, including essential oils, soaps, agarbatties, cones, and dhoops.
