“Ittar”, also implied as perfume, scent or fragrance, is derived from the ancient Persian word, “attar”, “ottar” or “otto”. It refers to a fragrant oil made from plants, herbs, flowers, and spices.
The origins of attar date back to the dawn of time. As the first form of fragrance, it came into existence in the early Islamic era in the 7th century. Back then, flowers and other natural sources were used for many purposes, and extraction of aromatic oils was one such important purpose.
What is Attar?
Attar is an oily perfume that originated in India and the Middle East. It came into existence thousands of years ago, primarily when the first civilisations used the process of crushing and infusing plants, especially wood bark and flowers, in water and oil to derive the perfume.
Gradually, with numerous discoveries, perfume turned to using alcohol as it could carry the olfactory molecules. However, the manufacturing of attar doesn’t entail the use of alcohol. Instead, the traditional procedure of creation involves vegetable oil, usually sandalwood oil. As a result, attar or ittar is unctuous and quite persistent. Even a single drop of attar is sufficient to embalm for several days.
Where did Attar Originate?
The origins of fragrances date back to the era of the Egyptian civilisation. In fact, Attar has long been used in the Indian continent for a very long time and is known to have close links with the olfactory ecosystem. Additionally, the archaeological excavations performed in the Indus Valley showcased rudimentary stills that belong to a quite distant era.
However, it was the sixteenth century that opened the doors of attar manufacturing extensively for India. It was Akbar, the emperor of the Mughal Empire, who introduced the custom of attar production in India. He established a culture on the grounds of pleasures and refinement and found a ministry responsible for developing perfumes for body and dish flavouring. Akbar applied enormous quantities of oud attar all over his body. Additionally, he used the precious compositions to be coated on the doors and furniture of his esteemed palace. It is often said that both queens and courtesans constantly carried small vials of rose attar around their necks. With increasing demand, the production of attar thrived in Kannauj, located in Uttar Pradesh, India. For centuries, Kannauj, presently in the Ganges region of Northeastern India, has been producing oil based botanical perfumes or attar for generations now.
Today, attar production remains a flourishing business in India, where many small-scale manufacturers use age-old techniques to create fragrant oils by hand. Among the renowned attars in India include rose, jasmine, and sandalwood.
Ittar has been historically used for ages in the Middle East’s Islamic perfumery. As per studies, back then, it was reportedly used by Prophet Muhammad and further promoted for use amongst his disciples. Even today, the attar is a crucial component of Islamic culture and is often used in religious festivities, marriages, and other events.
The Uses of Attar
Attar, which is synonymous with olfactory pleasure, is used for a variety of purposes. In India, it has been used vivaciously in Ayurveda, the traditional medical system for 5000 years. As per Ayurveda, it cures various illnesses and is known to have medicinal qualities. Moreover, it also has therapeutic benefits and offers calming effects on the psyche and body.
In the 21st century, attar is widely used in a wide array of scents and perfumes. Additionally, it is known to have served as an important element in aromatherapy.
