Under the Skin

Mike Cowasji,who’s been running Mike’s Body Art Studio,is excited about the kind of designs youngsters have suddenly developed a penchant for. “Previously,it used to be a small tattoo as people played it safe. Now,they want big tattoos. I’ve been doing a lot of black and grey washes,bringing out different shades of black,with water effects,images of mermaids,dragons,phoenix and even pagan symbols,” says Cowasji,40. As an artist,he enjoys the new challenge to think big and ink big as well.

Apart from new washes and MJ tribute tattoo,there’s a hot demand for ‘Biomechanical’ tattoos,images of body parts drawn with a bizarre twist. So expect to see a lot of eyes and hearts painted on shoulders and bare torsos. While biomechanical art rides high on its morbid appeal,foreign tourists,says Verma,usually ask for,“elaborate wedding-style henna motifs and intricate Madhubani designs”.

God Shiva is also a big hit these days. “We do about four tattoos every day of the week and approximately seven during weekends. Big pieces of Shiva are in demand and we have a steady stream of women who want their children’s names tattooed as well,” says Hardy Mitra. Younger girls,who come accompanied by parents,seem to have fallen in love with mythical animals like the unicorn and

want one on themselves. Bizarre and beautiful!

What’s more,tattoos aren’t only about donning popular art on oneself. Sarab Singh,a PR Agent for UK-based company Netpart has designed his own tattoo with each element having its own special meaning. Inked on to his right arm,the design is a heart with wings of the Greek mythological horse Pegasus,to imply eternity. The spiky leaves that stand for aggression juxtaposed with a rising sun for good fortune capture the depth of his intention for creating it. “It is like a picture story to mark an ocassion,states Sarab. “I’ve always managed to mark my body with either scars or art work. They all mean something special to me.” Tattooed by his best friend in England,who incidentally has also inked David Bekham,this sure is a special one for him. Another tattoo one on his left shoulder is the word ‘luck’ in red ink in Japanese as an acknowledgment by the Japanese cult Ayo Shinrikyo. Literally a symbol of protection,he has it as a life-long charm. Similarly,Aditya Kaul,a second-year student of B.Com from Khalsa College flaunts his ‘magical’ tattoo on his right forearm. “I suddenly decided to get a tattoo one day while I was in Delhi. So I reached the studio the next day and had my name done on my arm. And the best part is,my dad accompanied me!” says Aditya. But his tattoo isn’t just his name. “When read from right to left in the mirror,it reads the Arabic term ‘Afkar Malak’ which means ‘soldier’s angel’ in English”. It sure is an artistic genius and he doesn’t plan on stopping on just one. “Getting a tattoo is so addictive. Moments after I got this,I knew I had to get another one done. I’ve finally zeroed in on a Kashmiri lullaby that my mum used to sing to me and I will have it tattooed either on my left forearm or from my knee to the ankle in devnagari,” he states.

While Aditya gets his rhyme together,Mehtab Singh Khaira,a student of law is ready to roar with his tribal inspired tiger he had inked into his left bicep. Barely three weeks old,the tattoo has already drawn many an admiring (and envious!) eye. “I went online,got the design off a site,printed it and took it to the artist in Sector 8. It took more than four hours to get it done and wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be.” He’s still tending to this fresh work of art,which he informs requires a lot of looking after. “I don’t plan on getting another one done for a while. I think one if enough for now,” he states. But where are the girls? Is it that only boys are toughies? “Not at all!” declares Dhruv Sharma,a tattoo artist at Profile in Chandigarh’s Sector 8 market. “What I have experienced over the years is that girls have a higher pain-bearing capacity while boys try to hide it. But most of them tend to get them on the shoulder blade or lower back. They are happy to show them off in front of their friends,but due to family issues they are still slightly hesitant to openly exhibit them.” That may explain the lack of sightings around town,but that doesn’t mean the ladies aren’t one to hold back completely. “Butterflies,angels and stars are the most common designs for girls,” smiles Dhruv. It’s time our gutsy sisters came out with their works of art.