Showcasing Artistry Through Bambooless Incense Sticks

It is dusk, the sun is glowing on the horizon, and the sky is splashed with blue, pink and orange hues. Sounds of prayer bells, conch shells, and the divine fragrance of ‘agarbattis’ fill the atmosphere. Lighting agarbatti or incense sticks is an age-old ritual followed in Indian homes and the word ‘agarbatti’ comes from ‘agar’ the Agarwood from which the agarbatti is made and ‘batti’ which means wick. 

The rich history of incense sticks 

Across cultures and civilisations, incense has been a silent witness to the highs of celebration and the times of introspection, an aromatic companion to the human experience.

The earliest recorded utilisation of incense sticks can be traced back to the Vedas, where they were employed to produce delightful fragrances.

These fragrances also influence serotonin levels in the brain, assisting in alleviating stress and anxiety while enhancing one's overall mood.

Phool: helping the planet with sustainable incense sticks

At Phool.co, we are addressing pollution in the Rivers Ganges through our innovative 'flowercycling®' technologies. In India, over 8 Million Metric tons of pesticide-laden flowers are dumped into water bodies annually, causing severe health concerns and river choking. We collect over 11 tons of temple-flower waste daily from 5 most prominent temple towns and convert them into the world’s first certified natural incense products. To create this revolutionary product line, we employ more than 300 marginalised women to handcraft our popular incense sticks, offering them fixed livelihoods and disease-free employment opportunities.

The incense sticks are created with fragrances that can be used in sacred rituals as well as in self-care, easing stress, soothing anxiety, and helping individuals unwind after a long day. The ritual of burning incense can be a cherished moment of self-indulgence, a time to disconnect from the world and find solace in the soothing scents.

Let us embark on an enchanting journey into the realm of Phool's bambooless incense sticks, the first certified bambooless incense in the world.

The bambooless incense sticks collection is a collaboration with different artists all over India to celebrate the heritage art forms of our country.  The paintings that adorn our bambooless incense stick packaging are illustrated by talented generational artists from all around India. 

Let’s talk about the diverse fragrances and artistic expressions embellishing the boxes one by one.

Oudh incense sticks 

Oudh is a luxurious, exotic fragrance with slightly smoky and earthy notes.

The exquisite Gond art adorning the Oudh incense box is the creation of Rahul Singh Shyam. He is trained under Padma Shri Bhajju Shyam belonging to the Gond Pardhan community of Madhya Pradesh and a representative figure for the indigenous people of this area.

Gond art is characterised by mythical as well as folklore motifs, patterned designs, stunning colour combinations, flora, and fauna. It has gained worldwide acclaim, and found a place at many museums such as Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal. 

Sandalwood incense sticks

Sandalwood has a warm and woody aroma, renowned for its grounding and meditative qualities. 

The artist behind the beautiful Bhil art-themed box is Dubu Baria, the nephew of the legendary Padma Shri. Buri bai Baria. Dubu Baria was mentored by his aunt and his favourite subjects to show in his paintings are nature and animals.

The Bhils are a tribe native to the Western and Central parts of India. They are one of the largest tribal communities in India and use art as an integral part of communication.

Bhil art consists of people singing, dancing, and feasting. Every painting is a story of their land told through depictions of people, animals, insects, and festivals.

Sambrani incense sticks

Sambrani is a resinous and deeply aromatic scent, known for its purifying and calming properties

The Pattachitra art on the Sambrani incense box is brought to life by Ganesh Babu who hails from a lineage of traditional Pattachitra artists. Pattachitra art originates from Odisha and has a deep connection to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Krishna. It is one of the oldest and most famous art forms in India.

Pattachitra paintings are done on small strips of cotton cloth which acts as a canvas. The canvas is prepared by coating a mixture of chalk and gum. Once this canvas is dried the artists directly draw on it using vegetable, stone and earth colours. 

The intricate details of this art form set it apart from the rest.

Indian rose incense sticks

Indian Rose is a captivating and opulent blend of velvety floral notes, characterized by rich and floral aroma. 

The Phad art beautifying this Indian rose incense box is created by Kritika Joshi, a distinguished member of the Joshi family who are the practitioners and custodians of Phad art.  The 700-year-old legacy of Phad has been passed down to over 30 generations of a single family.  The art originates near Bhilwara in Rajasthan. 

Phad is a type of scroll painting that depicts the tales of local Gods and deities. It is one of the unique forms of art in India. Once upon a time, the scrolls of Phad paintings acted as mobile temples, the singers of the Rabari tribe carried these scrolls and performed and sang to them.

Jasmine incense sticks

Jasmine is an elegant and fresh fragrance, exuding a sweet smell of serenity.

Ganesh Ji, hailing from the village of Cheriyal in Telangana, is the artist behind the intricate Cheriyal art adorning the incense box. Cheriyal scroll painting is an ancient form of art originating from a small village in Telangana. 

Cheriyal paintings tell stories from folklore, and mythological epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Krishna and Garuda Puran. They are used as a medium of storytelling by the Nakashi tribe and play an important role in the cultural setting of Telangana.

Lemongrass incense sticks

Lemongrass fragrance is a refreshing and uplifting aroma, characterized by its zesty, citrusy notes that uplift the senses. 

Vijay Vadu is the talented artist behind this Worli art incense box. His family is the inspiration behind his art. 

Worli art is a mural form of art, created by the tribal people of the North Sahaydri Range in Maharashtra known as the Warlis or Varlis. The Warlis are traditional storytellers passing knowledge and culture through art that is elaborately painted on the walls of houses and other common areas. 

Cedarwood incense sticks 

Cedarwood is a warm and woody fragrance, evoking a sense of earthy sophistication with its rich, resinous undertones.

Rekha ji is the brilliant artist behind this Srikalahasti art. Srikalahasti is a style of Kalamkari that involves hand painting a fabric. It originates in the town of Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh. 

This form of art is copyrighted under the Geographical Indication Act. This intricate and exquisite form of painting is very famous all over Andhra Pradesh. 

Tulsi incense sticks

Tulsi is a soothing blend of sweet, herbal notes, carrying a calming and sacred essence that fills the air with tranquillity.

Pratima Bharti is the artist behind this wonderful Madhubani painting that adorns the box. She is a state award-winning artist and has held shows all over India and also in Hong Kong.

Madhubani is a style that originates from the Madhubani district of Bihar. A variety of mediums, like fingers, twigs, brushes and matchsticks are used to create the paintings.

Through these innovative creations, the spirit of craftsmanship intertwines seamlessly with the aromatic journey. Experience the artistry and craftsmanship in our incense sticks and fill your space with pleasant aromatic fragrances. 

Shop for Phool Bambooless Incense Sticks today!