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. Good quality attar can fetch up to Rs. 10,000.
With no electricity and heavy machinery, perfumers in Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh have been making attar using the century-old Deg and Bhapka method.
We travelled to India’s perfume capital to find out how the famous attars are made.
We also see how attar different from regular perfume.
Read the full story: In Kannauj, hope in a bottle
Reporting: Soma Basu
Video, photos and production: Richard Kujur
