From being used as a sign of status to wearing ornaments -like markings, the history of tattoos has been etched into the skin of Indian people from ancient times. But just how old this art still remains a mystery. Generally, the tribes and different caste communities of India had myriad purposes behind their tattoo - few of them had inked permanently on their skin for beautification, while others had tattoos that acted as a representation of the different stages of womanhood, some as protective totems in the afterlife and it was even believed to cure certain physical ailments.
In the southern part of India, permanent ink marks were called pachakutharathu. They were prevalent, especially in Tamil Nadu; this traditional art of using needles to do the green art on the skin was practised by the Narikuravar tribe. This art of pachakutharathu had its own significance earlier. It has been dying because Indian body art has undergone a great transformation. Even though body art has been practised for centuries in many Indian communities, and now over the past few decades, tattoos have become a fashion statement among Indian youth. A lot of hype is given by the young people.
The patterns from the history carved in stones bring back the old beliefs and lifestyles. All the designs were inspired by ancient times. Traditional tattoo patterns can reveal priceless pieces of history. Talking about designs, the necklace was initially worn some 40,000 years ago. It was originally created out of pieces of wood, stones, bones, and shells for aesthetic reasons. Diamonds were prized and sought by Kings and Queens alike throughout European history. The first records of diamond cutters date back to the 1500s, when the contemporary diamond jewellery market as we know it today would have emerged.
Designs inspired by the Tribal adaptation like the dragon and tiger and abstract art are gaining much popularity among the youth. Memorial tattoos, which commemorate the death of a dear one or a -loved pet, spiritual tattoos, and tattoos with the name of the significant other, are hugely popular now. Different designs like nature, landscape, insects, school spiritual tattoos, and classic flowers are some of the currently popular designs. Face tattoos are, in fact, mainstream now.
However, tattoos were also considered taboo, but steadily after social acceptance, the tattoo industry is growing larger and larger. From the talent behind today's top tattooists to the ink and the tools that make their artwork beautiful, the sky's the limit for people who want their bodies to be a canvas. Tattoos have, in fact, become more popular because they are being worn by celebrities, athletes, and people within the fashion industry. This change has slowly helped to change the stigmas that are associated with tattoos. We know now that not everyone who has them is a criminal or someone with a shady moral compass, which unfortunately used to be the Stereotype before. Tattoos are finally being recognised as a form of self-expression and design styles
Deciding what tattoo to get is like a life-changing decision. After all, without expensive and painful removal surgery, they will last forever. People who aren't sure what design to get should start by finding an artist whose style they love and ask to see their books of work for ideas with lots of designs they've drawn up that they would love to tattoo on prospective clients. It is best to have at least a general idea of a theme or elements to include in the piece. Work with the artist to customise it into an art that will make the individual happy in the long term. Those who want their tattoo to be seen usually get inked in their fingers, arms, legs, chest or back area as they offer a large canvas for more significant or more tattoos. For the ones who aren't sure, a small tattoo is a good place to start - as they can always get more or add to it in the future.
I got my first tattoo when I was 16, and currently, I have six tattoos. The most favourite one among the others is the broken feather which makes it look beautiful despite being broken.Tattoos are no longer just about identification and territory; they are a mix of creativity and fashion. In today's world, they have become a way to express beliefs, memories, and the phase one goes through in life.
The hype about tattoo culture has reached its own pitch with continual refinements to the machines and the rapidly changing technology, with a new generation of people attempting to reconnect with their cultural heritages through this practice.
