Say it with tattoos

Tattoos have pierced into the Indian lifestyle in a new avtaar. They are being considered by Gen X as the coolest way to express and emote, says Sreya Basu

Earlier youngsters used to go for traditional designs or abstract art. But now the craze is for expressionist tattoos.

Remember Shefali Jariwala in the Kanta laga remix, wooing her boyfriend with the ‘I Luv You’ tattoo on her arm? That was on the silver screen and way back in 2003. This year tattoos have pierced into the Indian lifestyle in a new avtaar—they are being considered by Gen X as the coolest way to express and emote.

SMSes and emails are there but when it comes to communicate in special situations with novelty, tattoos are taking the cat away. Proposing to your beloved, celebrating a long-cherished success, a family reunion after ages, a dream house, or even making your loved ones feel special are being communicated with ink and needle on your skin—as it is human instinct that always seeks permanency.

There are umpteenth examples from Bollywood—Saif Ali flaunting his love for Bebo with a Kareena tattoo, Esha Deol expressing her spirituality with Gayatri Mantra and the auspicious ‘Om’ tattoos among others. But today's youths are smarter than that.

Kolkata-based tattoo artist Raja Pyne said: "Till last year youths used to go for traditional or trendy designs or abstract art. But this year the craze has heavily oscillated to expressionist tattoos. Recently a 23-year-boy got himself inked his family tree to celebrate a family reunion after 43 years of dispute."

Ranjika Dutta, a Calcutta University student, said: " I got myself an angel tattoo on by back to mark my 18th birthday special. Later I inked my sun sign, a Leo tattoo as well. These contradictory tattoos also express that I am a freedom-loving and adventurous person."

It goes beyond saying that this new craze has best hit the young lovebirds. Scribbling one’s girlfriend's name or a romantic phrase on arm, chest or even eyelids makes the lover feel like a knight.

"I got a tattoo saying ‘You are only mine’ to propose to my girlfriend," said a 25-year accountant Ashutosh Sarkar. On the other hand, another mohabbat-man Arun Mehta tattooed his beloved's name on his eyelid's. "It was risky and painful one. But it proves how much I love her," he said.

The pain of the needle, the swelling and even the frequent infections are forgotten over an ice cream, a couple of movies at multiplexes and lots of caress from the beloved. But here is a word of caution. When the girl gets bored at her boyfriend’s tattoo and rushes for a tattoo-free guy, one would rush to a dermatologist to get a skin grafting.

So unless you are bird-brained don't forget to check, crosscheck, re-check and triple check what tattoo you want. Because tattoos are like memories—they can be faded not deleted.

However, this craze for expressionist tattoos cannot be claimed as the 21st century brainchild. Way back in 1940s Christian pilgrims used to get religious tattoos inked on various parts of their bodies as a mark of their pilgrimage. European knights bore tattoos, saying if they die fighting they should be given proper burial. —TWF