Mr. Abhijeet C. Kelkar
3 Notes & Kelkar Foods and Fragrances
In a world where scents evoke emotions and timeless connections, Abhijeet C. Kelkar stands as a custodian of a four-generation legacy in perfumery. As the founder of 3 Notes and the force behind Kelkar Foods & Fragrances, Gandhavedh, and Gandhayukti, he is shaping the Indian fragrance industry with a blend of heritage and innovation. His journey reflects a rare balance of tradition, creativity, and storytelling.
Carrying Forward a Legacy
Perfume-making has been in Abhijeet’s lineage for generations. Growing up amid attars, essential oils, and the subtle art of Kannauj’s natural perfumery, he inherited not only skills but also deep respect for the craft. Yet, his path was not about simply continuing the family business; it was about creating his own chapter.
With this vision, he founded 3 Notes a brand that redefines perfume as more than luxury, positioning it as a story carried on one’s skin. Through this, he reimagined perfumery for today’s generation, blending timeless inspirations with contemporary appeal. Alongside, Kelkar Foods & Fragrances and Gandhavedh manage raw material sourcing and retail, while Gandhayukti revives ancient Indian wisdom of scent for well-being. Together, these ventures share one purpose making fragrance personal and meaningful.
The Spark of Entrepreneurship
For Abhijeet, entrepreneurship is about continuity with innovation. Family traditions taught him discipline, while his curiosity pushed him to explore new possibilities in fragrance. “If you are truly passionate about an idea, you should not wait for the perfect moment. You should create it,” he says. This clarity laid the foundation of his entrepreneurial journey.
A Wide Spectrum of Offerings
The strength of Abhijeet’s work lies in its versatility. At 3 Notes, perfumes are crafted as experiences. Along with ready-to-wear scents, the brand offers fragrance accords that allow customers to blend and design their own signature perfumes a pioneering concept in India.
Beyond retail, his expertise extends to spa and hotel oils, corporate fragrances, candles, diffusers, personal care products, and fine attars. He also mentors entrepreneurs exploring fragrance-led businesses. Quite simply, if it involves scent, Abhijeet finds a way to create it.
What Sets 3 Notes Apart
Every fragrance tells a story. At 3 Notes, customers don’t just wear perfume they carry an emotion or a memory. The brand’s uniqueness also lies in its deep roots and global reach. With its own base in Kannauj, India’s perfumery hub, and collaborations with fragrance houses in Grasse, France, the label blends authentic Indian craftsmanship with global sophistication.
Importantly, its accessible pricing ensures fine fragrances aren’t limited to an elite few, making premium scents part of everyday life.
Overcoming Challenges
Abhijeet’s path wasn’t free of hurdles. Building trust in a market dominated by mass-produced perfumes required patience and authenticity. Preserving Kannauj’s natural perfumery while meeting global standards of packaging and safety was another challenge. Failures occurred, but resilience, mentorship, and vision helped him strike balance.
Milestones of Pride
One defining achievement was the launch of 3 Notes, merging family knowledge with innovation. Another was introducing Mayol AB12, India’s first safe attar base, as a responsible alternative to carcinogenic solvents a breakthrough in the industry.
Recognition followed. Abhijeet received the Lokmat Puraskar for Mayol AB12 and the Times Achievers Award 2021. He was invited as a consultant by the Ministry of Education’s IKS division on Gandhashastra. His presence at the G20 Summit and Rashtriya Shiksha Samagam, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscored his role as a cultural ambassador of Indian perfumery.
His work has been featured by Jet Wings, India Today, and The Times of India, further establishing Pune as a hub for fragrance experiences.
Looking Ahead
In the next five years, Abhijeet envisions 3 Notes as a leading homegrown fragrance house, associated with stories and emotions rather than just perfumes. His plans include expansion across India and abroad, building digital-first communities, and creating experiential spaces where people can explore and design scents.
Scaling the fragrance accord system is a key goal, offering more people the joy of crafting unique perfumes. Personally, Abhijeet sees himself continuing as a creator, mentor, and ambassador for Indian perfumery, carrying Kannauj’s heritage onto the global stage.
A Purpose Beyond Business
What drives Abhijeet is not just business growth but impact. Every time a customer shares how a fragrance became part of a special memory, his resolve deepens. Legacy also fuels him the responsibility of carrying forward his family’s tradition while making it relevant today.
His advice to budding entrepreneurs is simple: believe in your idea, start small, stay consistent, and keep learning. Failures are lessons in disguise. Surround yourself with inspiring people, remain true to your values, and remember that entrepreneurship is not only about growth but about creating something meaningful.
At its core, Abhijeet Kelkar’s story is not just about perfumes. It is about heritage, innovation, and the power of scent to connect with human experience. Through his ventures, he is not merely building brands he is crafting memories, one fragrance at a time.
Mail: kelkarabhijeet@gmail.com
Website: www.kffindia.com / www.3notes.in
Contact:+919730669977
