Heritage
A house, in its own words
The story of Dixit & Zak begins with a family formula that Zakir Laskar inherited from his father, a respected oud distiller in northern India. Zakir grew up watching the extraction of agarwood oil and learning the subtle balance of wood, resin and spice. Nitish Dixit entered the partnership after completing a degree in chemical engineering, bringing a scientific perspective to fragrance stability and formulation. The two met in 2018 at a regional perfume workshop and decided to test the legacy formula on a modern canvas. Their first public release, Rising Mysore (2019), combined Mysore sandalwood with a curated blend of Indian spices, earning attention from independent reviewers for its depth. The follow‑up Rising Mysore 2 (2020) and Rising Mysore 3 (2021) expanded the narrative, each iteration adding new accords while preserving the core identity. In 2021 the duo introduced Emperor’s Court, a fragrance that references Mughal court aromas through a mix of oud, incense and citrus. 2022 saw the launch of Hindi Tabac and Ghaliyah Ghazali, both of which highlighted the brand’s willingness to explore tobacco and floral motifs within an Indian context. While the creative work began in 2019, the business formalised as Dixit & Zak Fragrances Private Limited on 26 July 2022, registering with the Registrar of Companies in Pune. This incorporation allowed the house to scale production while retaining its artisanal approach. Over the past five years the brand has maintained a steady release schedule, each new scent reflecting a dialogue between heritage ingredients and contemporary perfumery practice. Dixit & Zak approaches perfumery as a conversation between science and tradition. The founders believe that Indian aromatic heritage offers a rich palette that remains under‑explored in global niche markets. They prioritize natural extracts, especially oud, sandalwood and regional spices, but they also apply rigorous analytical methods to ensure longevity and safety. The house describes its goal as creating scents that reward repeated wear, allowing the wearer to discover new facets over time. Rather than chasing trends, the brand follows a research‑first mindset: each ingredient is evaluated for its olfactory character and its ability to interact with others. This method reflects Nitish’s engineering background and Zakir’s generational knowledge of raw material quality. The duo also emphasizes sustainability, seeking suppliers who practice responsible harvesting, particularly for agarwood and sandalwood. Their creative vision centers on depth, balance, and a sense of place, inviting wearers to experience a story that unfolds with each breath.