Fragrance; take notes!

Scents are an innate part of our lives. They transport you to different spaces and times, immersing you in an ever-living spirit of nostalgia. On this episode of A Niche Thing with Aneesh Bhasin , we're diving into the art, science and beauty of scents with Manan Gandhi of Bombay Perfumery .?

Manan has had a long journey in the world of fragrance. His family has been in the industry for over 45 years, letting him grow up amidst essential oils and absolutes. He has lived and worked in Grasse, the centre of the French perfume industry and the world's perfume capital, travelled to exotic places around the globe, sourcing natural ingredients and 6 years ago, returned to Mumbai to set up Bombay Perfumery.?

The history of perfume dates back to some of the oldest civilizations. Even some of the earliest gifts Jesus got were Frankincense and incense. In India, agarbattis are the cheapest and most widely used form of scent.?

Functional perfumery goes into almost everything - bathroom products like shampoos, soaps, fragrancing malodorous in plastics etc. Fine perfumes, on the other hand, are high-level creations - a mixture of essential oils, aroma molecules, and natural extracts delivering a complex but well-rounded olfactive journey.?

The journey of a scent moves from its top notes (what you smell at the spritz) to its heart notes (the essence of the scent) to its base notes (the heaviest, most lasting compounds). Ingredients have to be chosen in the right combination to balance the formulation. The classification of perfumes into eau de cologne, eau de parfum and eau de toilette are about the fragrance-to-alcohol ratio, its 'sillage' and longevity.?

Fragrances form a vital part of our lives and are a pleasure to learn about. Through the episode, Manan talks about scents native to exotic places, some of the most expensive essences to extract, the modern process of extracting fragrance, and understanding the role of niche brands in breaking the cycle of generic perfumes.?

Your choice of perfume should be personal and match our unique skin chemistries. Tune into the episode to find the ideal way to find your signature scent!