Ataratma – where scent meets soul

Ataratma – a fragrance house with a spirit as intriguing as its name (a portmanteau of Sanskrit words for ‘scent’ and ‘soul’) – wafts into our lives just as autumn demands a caressing, soul-stirring embrace.

Ataratma London set out to be far more than just another pretty bottle on the shelf (though those flacons are rather fabulous, we must admit); instead, wanting to be a journey for the senses and the spirit alike. Drawing ancient wisdom into the swirl of every spritz, here the perfumes aren’t so much worn as inhabited – mood-shifting, grounding, truly transformative. So: let’s dive in, shall we…?

From the off, Ataratma’s olfactive and optimistic mission emerges: this is scent as spiritual practice, where every fragrance is infused with intentions drawn from Ayurveda and the latest insights from neuroscience. If that sounds ambitious, just wait until you smell what they’ve managed – perfumers like Nelly Hachem-Ruiz, Paul Guerlain and Fanny Bal (yes, the A-list) have brushed their perfumed palettes across the line-up. But don’t worry if the wellness factor all sounds a bit much for you. There’s absolutely no need to concentrate on that aspect if you don’t want to. The main draw for us is the fact that the connection runs far beyond concept; these fragrances are, quite simply, ravishing. No worthy undertones, no retreat-in-a-bottle clichés – just beautiful, lasting pieces of wearable art for your skin. As they should be.

Ada Panday [pictured above, centre, in striking orange) is Ataratma’s founder, and weaves her passion through each scent in the collection. Hailing from a world of jewellery design, Ada brings a magpie’s love of beauty combined with a longing for resonance that goes beneath the surface. Each bottle reflects her belief that perfume should empower, strengthen and uplift as much as it delights the senses. And delight it does: rich concentrations (every scent is poured at 25–30%) ensure the fragrance lingers, subtle but persistent, an aura connecting you to what truly matters. Working with Creative Director Claire Sokell Thompson (whose previous portfolio includes Thameen London and Electimuss) they truly have created something extra special.

Ataratma launched this year with with four initial collections – Atma (spiritual connection), Ananda (happiness), Kama (love), and Zakra (strength) – and nine scents to explore your own story through fragrance. Each pillar draws on both ancient rituals and innovative research: Ananda’s Chakra Champaca blooms with bright white florals and pistachio – instantly uplifting, airy but opulent. Smitam Santal flutters with a smile in the language of tuberose, sandalwood and cardamom, shimmering with optimism. Kama Carnal curls close to the skin, voluptuous with neroli, coconut water and vanilla, while Rati Patchouli feels like a spaciously elegant swirl of a dance – vibrant, passionate, unforgettable.

But what elevates these perfumes is the fusion of their philosophies with lab-level ingredient sourcing. Many ingredients are selected for their proven effects on mood – think geranium for balance, cypress for calm, sandalwood for courage, all sourced via LMR Naturals by IFF (the gold-standard for responsible, sustainable perfumery). Nothing is hurried, nothing bulked out; even the essential oils are steam-distilled to preserve every nuance at its brightest.

Perfume, for Ataratma, becomes beyond pleasure and into the realms of a treasured daily ritual – a modern scented ceremony, if you will, for those of us in search of greater harmony. And oh boy, how we increasingly need that in these turbulent times. So how comforting, then, to discover a collection of perfumes where wearing one is like carrying a secret amulet: invisible yet powerfully felt.

In a world of fleeting trends and scented noise, Ataratma’s debut feels like a long exhale – sophisticated and reassuring, full of stories, artistry and soul. The Discovery Set a chance to live with the scents before you choose, and even redeemable against a full-size. Because if there were ever a time to find not just what smells beautiful, but what feels right for who you are and what you wish to become – it is surely now.

The only question is: which version of the real ‘you’ d’you fancy evoking in fragrance today…?

Written by Suzy Nightingale