VOICED: India's perfume capital threatened by scent of modernity

In Northern India, farmers harvest fragrant plants for local distilleries producing natural oil-based perfumes called attars. These perfumes are made using a traditional steam distillation process, which is becoming rare as many distilleries switch to cheaper chemical alternatives. Despite the decline, attars remain popular in certain cultural and religious contexts, particularly in Muslim communities where alcohol-based perfumes are forbidden. The market for attars is shrinking, but producers are exploring new uses like aromatherapy to revive interest.

What are the main ingredients used in the traditional perfume-making process described in the text?

How has the number of traditional distilleries in India changed over the past decade?

What challenges do traditional perfumers face in the current market?

Why do some customers prefer home-produced fragrances over international brands?

What is the significance of the steam distillation process in perfume making?