The Tale of India’s Tattoo Tradition

From being used to show of status to jewelry-like markings tattoos have been used in India from the beginning of time. However, how long the practice is an unanswered question. From the rain-soaked, dense mountains in the northeast, to the dried deserts in Rann from Kutch in the western part of the country Tattoos haven’t always been focused on beautifying the body. They have been used for various reasons by diverse communities throughout the United States.

The majority of the Indian tribes with tattoos resided in the remote hinterlands of the country. There, women were robbed by tribes that were rivals was a regular occurrence.

Within the Apatani tribal group of Arunachal Pradesh for example young girls were tattooed to deter the tribes that were competing with them in the neighboring districts, who might otherwise take their beautiful women.

The Apatani tattooing method involved thorns cutting skin and mixing soot into animal fat to create a deep blue hue. The wounds were left to infect themselves to make the tattoos bigger, darker, and more clear. The Indian government placed a stop to the practice in the 1970s, but the practice is still practiced in a few of the unexplored interiors of northeastern India.

Tale of India’s Tattoo Tradition

Another tribe that was not mentioned, one called the Singhpo in Assam and Arunachal had different rules for men and women. The women who were married were tattooed on both legs from ankles up to the knees, while males were tattooed on their hands. The non-married Singpho girls were forbidden from tattoos.

The most prominent among the tribes that were tattooed in the northeast included those who hunted Konyaks from Nagaland and tattooed faces on their heads to show their strength in battle as well as headcount. Tattoos were also instrumental in establishing tribes’ identities in the region, as well as being able to be recognized after the death of a tribe in war or an accident.

The body art of the time was common among the tribes of war from the Northeast (including The Noctes as well as the Ranchos in Arunachal) since they considered tattoos as an indication of strength, courage, and virility, due to the pain that comes by the piercing procedure.

Within Southern India, permanent tattoos are referred to as pachakutharathu. They were commonplace especially in Tamil Nadu, before 1980. The wandering Korathi tattoo artists would travel across the country in search of customers. The Kollam, an intricate labyrinthine design believed by some to lure evil creatures, is tattooed on the body to ensure their safety and security until they are reunited with their dead ancestors after death.

Tattoo Traditional In India

Within the Toda tribe from South India, the hands and calves, as well as the shins, are tattooed using similar geometric designs that are used to make its embroidery.

Central India also has a long and savage practice of tattooing. It is believed that the Thanks in Bihar consider that tattoos can make women look prettier and help them avoid the gaze of powerful sexual predators. Because of the popularity of purdah in Bihar, women of lower castes needed to get visible areas of their bodies tattooed to indicate their lower position.

However, the Munda tribe of Jharkhand is a strong and courageous tribe with tattoos on the body to mark historical occasions. The Mundas have defeated three times the Mughals and to celebrate the victories, the Munda people even tattoo three vertical lines across their foreheads.

It is believed that the Gonds from Central India, one of the largest tribes in India, have traditionally covered their bodies with a lot of skin exposed. The skin was covered in Kohkana (Gondi to make tattoos) to make sure they looked good.

Women belonging to the Kutia Kondh tribe in Orissa who are referred to as the spirits of the world are tattooed with gorgeous geometric tattoos on their faces. It is believed that these marks assure that they will identify each other once they enter the spirit realm.

intricate patterns of flowers are painted on the body

It is believed that the Santhal communities from Bengal as well as Jharkhand have distinctive tattoos for both sexes that are for different areas of the body, and for different stages of life. Men’s tattoos are engraved with tikkas on their arms and wrists. The name is derived from the fact that they’re typically larger than coins that are known as Sikka in the Santhal dialect. The number of tattoos can be a bit odd as odd numbers represent the existence of life, while even numbers represent death in Santhal theology.

The intricate patterns of flowers are painted on the body of Santhal women and their faces. It is believed that the painful experience helps prepare a woman for becoming a mom and grants her the courage to tackle the trials of life. Chati godai, for instance. chati Godai is an example. It is a tattoo that’s carved on the chest of a girl as she enters puberty or should she not be married it is when she marries. Get the best tattoo designed by professionals from the best tattoo Studio in Mansarovar Jaipur. After the tattoo is completed, it is cleaned with soap and nuts to cool off and reduce the discomfort.

women tattoo intricate symbols

In the tribal communities of western India tattooing is a craft that tattooing is revered. tattoos have a strong connection to both religious and secular subjects of worship. The Rabari women from Kutch have been practicing tattooing for ornamental, religious as well as therapeutic reasons for centuries. The tradition-based Rabari tattoo set-up is as simple as one needle and a gourd bowl for holding the liquid pigment. The liquid is created by mixing lamp soot and tannin extracted from the bark of the local trees. A small amount in turmeric powder is included to increase the brightness of the color and prevent swelling.

Rabari women tattoo intricate symbols on their breasts, necks, and arms to show their faith in the power of magic.

The Kothari women usually begin their elaborate tattooing by blessing their subjects. Rajput women wear the symbol of the crown that Krishna wore on his arms as a symbol of aristocratic status. Even in the face of pain, ladies have always been perfect in the creation of their designs and symbols. Tattoos can also be used to enhance the couple’s bond, with symbols of the Moon protecting his beloved wife along with Lord Vishnu’s devices, such as lotus and wheel marking on the palms of wives to protect her.

The designs for tattoos that are favored by people of the Merpeople of Gujarat also incorporate gods, holy men, and symbols that are derived from nature. The Mer woman’s favorite tattoo design is known as Hansali, which runs from her neck all the way to the outer border of her feet.

The art of temporary tattoos known as mehndi also has a profound connection to the culture of India and the practice of mehndi and turmeric mentioned in the first Vedic sacred books.

The main focus on mehndi wearers in India was always on women in the household who is typically employed for ceremonies and rites of passage of time.

In the past, the Chhattisgarh Ramnamis have fought caste discrimination by sporting full-bodied “Ram Ram tattoos. It was an attempt to show their enemies to show that God is everywhere regardless of social status or caste.

Tattoos are A part of the culture

The temples were denied entry and required to have separate wells, the Ramnamis began tattooing their faces and bodies over 100 years ago. They tattooed these words. The tattoos serve as a display of love as they are an ointment against oppression.

Although tattoos have been a part of the culture for centuries within many Indian communities. It’s only in the last decade that tattoos have emerged as an acceptable fashion choice for urban Indian young people. Tribal versions of popular designs such as the dragon and tiger as well. As abstract art is gaining popularity among the young. Memorial tattoos, commemorate the passing of a beloved pet or loved one as well. As spiritual tattoos and tattoos bearing the names of the person who is significant to you are also extremely popular.

In 2015 Three Indians Nagaland’s Mo Naga, Kolkata’s Abhinandan “Obi” Basu, and Delhi’s Manjeet Singh – were included in the World Atlas of Tattoo A list of 100 famous tattoo artists across the world, published through Yale University Press.

A prestigious tattoo artist in Jaipur, the specialties of Unique Tattoo Art Gallery are stunning photorealistic designs & they enjoy tattoos. Also known as an internationally recognized Portrait tattooist.

Abhinandan Basu whose tattoos have their roots within Bengali. Folklore has become famous for his distinctive customized body art. Known as ‘Bongo and is an inspiration from traditional Bengal art. Called ‘Patachitra’ (scroll painting) and legends such as Jamini Roy.

Last Word

Nagaland’s Mo Naga wants to create modern designs that are derived from traditional designs. He’s created the Headhunters’ Ink Tattoo School in Guwahati. Mo Naga is using the latest technology and methods of tattooing to revive the traditional designs of tribes from the northeast.

An alumnus of the NIFT-Hyderabad campus. Mo Naga is a self-taught tattoo artist, who draws inspiration from Naga culture. Which is reflected in the tribal costumes, folktales painting wood carvings, and more.

Through the years Indian body art has seen a dramatic transformation from tattooing. For aesthetics and beauty to tattooing to express the fashion of the moment and for beliefs. An amalgamation of art and fashion tattoos are no longer only about territory and identity. Today tattoos are now an expression of opinions, memories and even the journey one is going through in their life.