Nastrè by bhakti

Nastrè, by Bhakti, is based in New Delhi is a transdisciplinary artist, alchemist, and philosopher. Nastrè uses various ways to explore brain aerobics by engaging the sensorium. Their practice is rooted in awareness such that it builds on a base of movement and visual arts, blends psychology and spirituality which makes for a strong heart note while the vocabulary of perfumery and understanding of body mechanics add hints of science to the topnote. The establishment of Nastrè, has its roots in Bhakti’s journey. Having learned classical Odissi dancing at an early age, they felt drawn to the performing arts from the very beginning. It was then that the realization of not letting form limit the practice dawned upon them and prompted them to learn multiple dance forms and experiment with various art mediums. With a background in psychology, they believed that the lack of connection between disciplines limits intellectual growth. This realization inspired them to integrate those disciplines. Their training in Performance Studies and Psychology further strengthened the understanding that disciplines aren’t airtight containers and encouraged them to explore political, cultural, and traditional issues with a trans-disciplinary practice that they are building.

Although they realized early on that continuing the family's legacy in perfumery was expected of them, it was only much later that they took the reins themselves. Coming from a family with 3 generations dedicated to crafting and innovating fragrances and flavors, they spent years observing and learning from their elders. After a temporary loss of taste and smell due to COVID-19, they decided to formally study perfumery at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in France. This crucial experience contributed to the development of Nastrè (initially called Nosetradamus) a project aimed at uniting seemingly distant disciplines that they practice diligently.

Doubt is something Bhakti disagrees with because it can block a person from reaching what is possible for them. The main point is to trust your ideas, act on them and not give up. Being grateful for everyone’s opinions supports the individual in being grounded..

Bhakti’s parents played a very  important in shaping who they became and continue to become, by being unconditionally loving, even when the path looked uncertain and risky. They feel every person wanting to become an artist and start a business should feel listened to and encouraged to talk about their ideas. Critique is constructive feedback which is good but being overly critical can hurt someone’s drive. Even though they were born into an affluent family, Bhakti funded their own education by working different jobs. They also self-funded the startup.

Striking a balance between creativity and commerce has been one of their greatest challenges. While companies focus on offering what people demand, artists aim to move their audience with powerful, unexpected creations. Understanding how these two worlds can intersect is an ongoing learning experience for them.

To develop one’s own unique artistic voice is a process. That’s why Nastrè focuses on being unapologetically raw in their structure instead of picking up a structure that most brands use and the market offers. 

Olfaction was long believed to be mainly used for survival and has rarely been thought of as a creative sense. Although Nastrè focuses on traditional perfume creation, they also perform experiments at the edge of olfaction to make art that includes fragrance. After covid, people need to understand olfaction as an extension of the breathing process. Through this understanding, Nastrè performs as a cultural scholar and researcher to unpack the nuances in the socio-cultural fabric of their lived reality in the country and to possibly rephrase human rights.

Olfaction is more than simply accessorizing, even though it contributes significantly to the fashion industry. But just like clothes we wear, fragrance is an expression of oneself. 

The fragrance and flavor industry is special because it joins both scientific and creative elements. As with music, fragrance is not something you cannot see but it significantly affects our moods and memories. With an awareness of the hierarchies in our sensorium, Nastrè reinforces the importance of olfaction in a visuality dominated world of digitalization. Fragrance and flavor play a major role in Indian traditions, both religious and culinary. They enhance how people enjoy everyday which makes this industry so unique.