Women and tattoos: A love-hate relation

You will find many flaunting tattoos, but there are just two in the city practising the body art

Saif Ali Khan created ripples when he got one. Rakhi Sawant never loses the opportunity to flaunt hers. The uber-hot Malaika Arora Khan sports one on her back, as does Esha Deol.

Tattoos are yet to run out of steam in the fashion circles. In Mumbai, there are a number of tattoo artistes who are ever willing to help you get that funky new tattoo.

You think it and they ink it. But it is surpri-sing to know that out of so many tattoo artistes in Mumbai, only two are women.
“Yes we are looking for a female tattoo artiste ourselves, but it is difficult to find one. The profession has good money and it is not the run-of-the-mill kind of job,” says Bittu, a tattoo artiste teaching the art for two years. “We need them for female customers, who shy away from male tattoo artistes.”

The profession is in vogue, it pays well and is creative. So, what is keeping the young female brigade away? Al Alva, of Al’s Tattoo Studio, blames it on the conservative mindset of parents. “The profession is still looked down upon. They think that it is demeaning for a woman to touch a male body while tattooing.” Bittu adds, “I had been contacted by some girls, who were interested in learning the art, but they backed out as their parents didn’t approve.”

Micky Malani, from Body Canvas and Tattoo Arts, bemoans the lack of female tattoo artistes. “People think tattoo artistes are these typical ‘dudes’ with long hair, bodies pierced, who wear leather and sport full-bodied tattoos. Parents are worried their daughters could become the same,” he says.

Our long search did yield the desired results. We finally managed to find two women who have broken the so-called barriers and ventured into the world of needle, ink and art.
One of them, Anjali Panchal, has been working at Mickey’s studio for the past six months.

Married and with one child, she still finds time to work an eight-hour (or more) shift every day. Her husband was the one who urged her to do something with her time. “My husband and in-laws are very supportive of my choice of work.”

Fond of sketching, Anjali became curious about how tattoos are done. She did a course with Micky and joined his studio soon after. Now, she does small tattoos and shading work on bigger tattoos.

The customers she works on are surprised and happy. The men think it’s something cool they can brag about to their friends. The women welcome it as a positive step.

The second female tattoo artiste is still a trainee. Taraana Khetpal, 25, has dabbled in a number of professions. She has been a beautician, has worked in a salon in Dubai and has the offer to work for an ad agency.

“I have been learning tattooing and if I am good at it, I will certainly take it up as a career. It pays well and if I can combine my hobby and profession, there’s nothing like it,” she says.
Taraana sounds all gung-ho about being a tattoo artiste, but will her parents allow her to take it up? “My mother herself got two tattoos and she knows that I love the art. So she has no problem with it.”

She is lucky that her parents are supportive, but her family’s positive attitude is the exception that tests the rule. “I believe that if one has the passion for it then they will be able to convince their parents about it,” she says.

She advises aspirants to tell their parents what exactly the profession involves. “If you really want it then only go for it. If you take it casually, you might end up spoiling somebody’s body.”

So if you prefer being on the other side of the needle then, the industry is calling you.  Passion and a steady hand is all you need.