Subsequently Mr. Avasthi was allowed to photograph, in more detail the steps involved in Hina manufacture. Because of his life-long association with the industry, he was also able to give me a detailed verbal account of the equipment used, the raw materials involved, how they are combined, etc. This information should prove useful to those interested in understanding more about this fascinating perfume. The world of the traditional Indian perfumer is, from an outsiders viewpoint, exotic, mysterious, and fascinating. From the gathering of the raw materials to the final perfume product, the human element predominates.
Many cottage industries center around providing materials for the perfumers art and craft.
Copper vessels, bamboo pipes, leather bottles, bricks, and numerous other products are needed for the practice of their art and craft and so thousands of people in the local area draw some if not all of their wages from working directly for a perfume house or in some related field. The wonderful thing about it is that local people can live in rural environments with their families and friends while earning enough to make ends meet by practicing simple, time-honored crafts. In the perfumery itself their is a constant hum of activity. Skilled workers move about the factory gathering together all the materials to commence the distillation process. From the storehouses the raw herbs, seeds and spices are brought that are then ground or chipped prior to combining in specific proportions according to secret family recipes.