{"title":"Rajesh Balkrishnan","description":"\u003cp class=\"sc-pf__lead\"\u003eA professor of public health who creates perfume as a second calling: he shapes the idea and refines it, round after round, with a partner perfumer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe story\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRajesh Balkrishnan is a tenured Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, working in epidemiology and health services research. His background in pharmacology and natural products chemistry fed into perfume, which he learned through independent study and work with master perfumers rather than formal schooling. On Fragrantica he is known as \"rbalkris\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe work\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe has no house of his own. He develops concepts from history, ancient texts and spiritual traditions and refines them with established perfumers: Sayat Nova with Dmitry Bortnikoff, inspired by an 18th-century Armenian poet; Keman with Yasuyuki Shinohara for DI SER, an Art and Olfaction finalist; Aranyaka with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/prin-lomros\"\u003ePrin Lomros\u003c\/a\u003e, inspired by ancient Hindu texts; Aghora with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ashek-zubayer\"\u003eAshek Zubayer\u003c\/a\u003e; and Pan's Labyrinth and Dark Shadows with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mathew-schmuelian\"\u003eMathew Schmuelian\u003c\/a\u003e. He also provides creative guidance for Mallo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOn Parfumo \u0026amp; Fragrantica\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParfumo lists 25 perfumes with an average of 8.0\/10: Pan's Labyrinth 8.7, Sleepy Hollow (Folkwinds, 2024) 8.4, Oud Indochine (Maksim, 2024) 8.3, Haxan (Parfum Prissana, 2018) 8.1. Fragrantica lists 26, across Bortnikoff, Mallo, Lost Tribe, Byermia and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt Scentorium\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAghora (\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/byermia\"\u003eByermia\u003c\/a\u003e) and Pan's Labyrinth and Dark Shadows (\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lost-tribe\"\u003eLost Tribe\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"sc-pf__facts\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBased in\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVirginia, United States\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eProfession\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProfessor of Public Health Sciences, UVA\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWorks with\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBortnikoff · Mallo · Lost Tribe · Byermia\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eParfumo\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e25 perfumes · average 8.0\/10\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"aghora","title":"Aghora | Limited Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAghora\u003c\/strong\u003e is a limited edition 30ml Extrait de Parfum by Byermia: a dark, animalic blend of oud, castoreum, frankincense, tobacco and a hashish accord.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAghora\u003c\/strong\u003e is not merely a fragrance; it is a rite of passage. Inspired by the enigmatic Aghori sadhus of India—ascetics who transcend fear and societal taboos to find enlightenment—this \u003cstrong\u003eartisanal perfume\u003c\/strong\u003e pushes the boundaries of modern olfaction. It captures the raw duality of existence: the meeting point of darkness and divinity, the sacred and the primal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned for the bold connoisseur, Aghora is a daring olfactory journey that refuses to apologize. While it draws from the fringes of civilization, the mastery of the composition ensures it remains deeply wearable, magnetic, and sophisticated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scent opens with a shock to the senses. The piercing heat of \u003cstrong\u003eGhost Pepper\u003c\/strong\u003e and the narcotic haze of a realistic \u003cstrong\u003eHashish Accord\u003c\/strong\u003e create an immediate, electric tension. Sweet, milky \u003cstrong\u003eFig\u003c\/strong\u003e and herbaceous \u003cstrong\u003eSage\u003c\/strong\u003e offer a brief respite before the smoke rises, evoking the ritualistic atmosphere of a sacred fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the \u003cstrong\u003eheart\u003c\/strong\u003e, the fragrance descends into a dark, resinous forest. Ancient \u003cstrong\u003eFrankincense\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eOpoponax\u003c\/strong\u003e weave through the dryness of \u003cstrong\u003eOakmoss\u003c\/strong\u003e and rich \u003cstrong\u003eTobacco\u003c\/strong\u003e, creating a meditative, spiritual core. It is the scent of deep introspection, grounded by the sticky, green warmth of \u003cstrong\u003eFir Balsam\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ebase\u003c\/strong\u003e is where Aghora reveals its true power. A heavy, uncompromising dose of \u003cstrong\u003eHindi Oud\u003c\/strong\u003e settles onto the skin, amplified by the animalic warmth of \u003cstrong\u003eCastoreum\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eDeer Musk Accord\u003c\/strong\u003e. Smoky \u003cstrong\u003eChoya Ral\u003c\/strong\u003e and creamy \u003cstrong\u003eSandalwood\u003c\/strong\u003e blend with a surprising touch of Dark \u003cstrong\u003eChocolate\u003c\/strong\u003e, leaving a trail that is wild, grounding, and intimately human.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAghora\u003c\/strong\u003e is an invitation to the untamed. It is for those who seek a \u003cstrong\u003eniche fragrance\u003c\/strong\u003e that defies categorization—a scent of liberation and absolute detachment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConcentration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extrait de Parfum (High concentration for exceptional longevity)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMood:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark, Spiritual, Animalic, Smoky, Spicy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfumer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Created in partnership with Rajesh Balkrishnan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOlfactory Pyramid:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTop Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ghost Pepper, Hashish Accord, Marigold, Sage, Fig, Smoke\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeart Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frankincense, Galbanum, Oakmoss, Tobacco, Fir Balsam, Opoponax\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBase Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Treemoss, Hindi Oud, Sandalwood, Choya Ral, Guaiac Wood, Chocolate, Labdanum, Myrrh, Castoreum, Deer Musk Accord, Leather\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Byermia","offers":[{"title":"30ML","offer_id":57652346814848,"sku":"BYERMIA-AGHORA-EXP-30ML","price":399.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/6148\/5696\/files\/aghoraforest.jpg?v=1770754880"},{"product_id":"pans-labyrinth-v2-lost-tribe-extrait","title":"Pan's Labyrinth V2","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePan's Labyrinth V2\u003c\/strong\u003e by Lost Tribe is a higher-concentration Extrait de Parfum, a powdery fougère of rose, lavender, bitter almond, oakmoss and oud, available in 30ml or 50ml.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePan’s Labyrinth V2\u003c\/strong\u003e is a higher-concentration interpretation of the original, created for those who loved the first edition and wanted a richer, more intense experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePan’s Labyrinth was born from patience, collaboration, and an obsessive pursuit of balance. Created through a year-long refinement process between two fragrance visionaries, this perfume represents a modern fougère reimagined with softness, warmth, and sensual depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by the idea of mystery meeting elegance, the fragrance holds the structure of a classic fougère while introducing a smooth, powdery identity that reshapes the traditional formula into something intimate, refined, and quietly powerful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMain notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBergamot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRose Otto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePowder Accord\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBitter Almond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite Ambergris\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLavender Essential Oil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoumarin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRose Absolute\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYlang Ylang\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePatchouli\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSri Lankan Sandalwood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSiberian Musk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMalaysian Oud\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrench Oakmoss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePine Tree Moss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFir\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLabdanum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBakhoor Tincture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable in \u003cstrong\u003e30ML or 50ML\u003c\/strong\u003e, in \u003cstrong\u003eExtrait de Parfum\u003c\/strong\u003e concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lost Tribe","offers":[{"title":"30ML","offer_id":58819964699008,"sku":"LOSTTRIBE-PANSLABYRINTHV2-EXP-30ML","price":399.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"50ML","offer_id":58819964731776,"sku":"LOSTTRIBE-PANSLABYRINTHV2-EXP-50ML","price":599.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/6148\/5696\/files\/lost-tribe-pan-s-labyrinth-v2-extrait-de-parfum-1.webp?v=1792700905"},{"product_id":"lost-tribe-dark-shadows-extrait-30ml","title":"Dark Shadows","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDark Shadows\u003c\/strong\u003e by Lost Tribe is a 30ml Extrait de Parfum collaboration with oud, labdanum, patchouli, ambergris and a dark powder accord.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRajesh and I are back at it, and this time we went dark. Dark Shadows is our second collaboration together, and it takes the powder accord we spent so long perfecting for Pan's Labyrinth and drags it somewhere completely different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt opens with blood orange and neroli, bright and juicy at first glance, but ambergris is already there underneath, wrapping that brightness in something salty and oceanic. Lychee rose otto adds a juicy, fruited floral edge, to give the scent lift and diffusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heart is where the powder accord starts to show its new, darker side. Bulgarian rose and osmanthus build an apricot-tinged floral core, while jade wood and blue cypress bring a smooth woodiness that keeps things from tipping too floral. Fir needle cuts through with a resinous, forest-fresh snap. Then finally you're hit with the Pan's Labyrinth DNA, the same soft, elegant powder is the entire carrier of this fragrance and softens all the dark sharp edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen the base takes over completely. Papua and Merauke oud build a dark, resinous woody foundation, patchouli and labdanum thicken everything into something dense and amber-rich, and oakmoss and vetiver ground it with mossy depth. Tobacco adds a warm, slightly sweet smokiness, and cacao stays on theme with a dark, almost bitter-chocolate richness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark Shadows is ambergris, patchouli, labdanum, woods, and florals all leaning into their darker side, built by two people who clearly weren't satisfied leaving powder where we found it. This is what happens when you take something beautiful and turn it dark!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lost Tribe","offers":[{"title":"30ML","offer_id":59980880445824,"sku":"LOSTTRIBE-DARKSHADOWS-EXP-30ML","price":399.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"50ML + extra musk","offer_id":60158078910848,"sku":null,"price":699.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/6148\/5696\/files\/lost-tribe-dark-shadows-extrait-de-parfum-1.webp?v=1792700892"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/6148\/5696\/collections\/rajesh-balkrishnan-creator-professor-public-health_1fc76ecb-0e49-4b4c-84c3-1bc7995ace1a.jpg?v=1792701202","url":"https:\/\/scentorium.eu\/collections\/rajesh-balkrishnan.oembed","provider":"Scentorium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}