From Kannauj to the world: How Zighrana is reimagining Indian perfumery
Swapnil Pathak Sharma founded Zighrana to spotlight Kannauj—India’s perfume capital—on the global stage. By blending century-old traditions with modern luxury, the brand aims to bring Indian fragrances to the world.
The word ‘perfume’ often evokes the image of something that originates from France—particularly from a place called Grasse, known as the perfume capital of the world. But this entrepreneur wants to shift the narrative by bringing the spotlight on Kannauj, the perfume capital of India, through a luxury brand that has a global appeal.
Founded in 2022 by Swapnil Pathak Sharma, Zighrana is a luxury perfume brand based in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh. Some of its offerings include Eau de Parfums, attars, and essential oils.
Sharma comes from a family that has been in the business of supplying raw materials for the fragrance industry for over a century. Having graduated as an engineer, Sharma’s passion for perfumery led her to delve deeper into the world of fragrance by pursuing courses in both Kannauj and New York city. This also meant moving up the value chain from being a supplier of raw materials to creating the final product.
“I saw an opportunity to build a luxury brand that could bring Indian perfumery to a global audience,” says Sharma.
Rooted in traditions
Sharma grew up in a family that was deeply rooted in the art of attar-making and essential oil distillation. This exposure gave her a strong understanding of natural ingredients, traditional distillation methods, and the nuances of fine perfumery. The family’s well-established network of farmers, distillers, and suppliers ensured she had access to the best quality raw materials.
“With Zighrana, I aimed to merge this century-old heritage with contemporary innovation, ensuring that India’s traditional scents not only remained relevant but also gained the recognition they deserve on the international stage,” she claims.
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According to her, the brand is positioned to cater to discerning, niche consumers who value heritage, craftsmanship, and natural fragrances.
Zighrana’s Eau de Parfums are crafted for those who seek long-lasting, sophisticated fragrances with a contemporary touch, while the attars, made using traditional methods, appeal to connoisseurs who appreciate deep, alcohol-free scents rooted in Indian perfumery.
Zighrana’s range of essential oils is curated for wellness enthusiasts, aromatherapy practitioners, and those seeking pure, therapeutic-grade oils.
This brand positioning led Zighrana to launch its product in New York City and also collaborate with celebrity chef Vikas Khanna to create a signature perfume line.
According to Sharma, launching Zighrana in New York was a bold step as the city is home to global luxury brands. She further remarks that despite their 100-year-old tradition, building a brand capable of meeting international standards posed significant challenges.
“Our vision was to create a brand that not only showcases the richness of Indian fragrances, but also helps India establish its strong presence on the global perfume stage,” says Sharma.
She further notes, “I have always felt a deep responsibility to bring India’s rich fragrance traditions to the global stage.”
Business and brand positioning
The target customers of Zighrana are the niche perfumery users and eco-conscious consumers who prefer artisanal, sustainable, and exotic scents.
The price range of Zighrana’s products varies. The Eau de Parfums are priced between Rs 6,000 and Rs 7,000, and the attar collection ranges from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,800. The essential oil kits start at Rs 3,550 and incense products at Rs 500. There are also other super premium products in the essential oils category with price range of Rs 4,000 to Rs 11,000.
Zighrana follows an omni-channel strategy combining a strong online sales presence with the products being available at the Taj Khazana Stores. In addition to this, the brand targets the corporate gifting market as well.
Sharma claims the market response to Zighrana has been overwhelming given its attention to detail and superior product quality.
Zighrana, currently bootstrapped, has sold over 4,000 bottles so far with revenue touching around Rs 3.5 crore.
As part of its future plans, Sharma wants Zighrana to be globally recognised and identified with the legacy of Indian perfumery.
“Our goal is to expand our presence and establish Indian attar as an integral part of luxury fragrance collections worldwide,” she remarks.
Edited by Megha Reddy