My grandmother had permanent marks branded on her skin. Every time I questioned her whether it was painful, she would laugh and respond, “Yeah, it’s a little pinch. ” The greenish symbol close to her hands was cute.
When I was a child, I would often sit by my grandmother and listen to her stories. One of the most fascinating tales she shared was about the intricate tattoos that adorned her body. Unlike the glittering jewels worn by ancient queens, her tattoos were her adornments.
This fascination with tattoos grew. But observing the trend among the youth, all the traditional Indian parents banned it, as they considered it to be too westernized.
My grandmother told me about the tattoos she had, which replaced the traditional jewelry worn by ancient people. She had tattoos in place of a bindi, ear and side ear piercings, bangles, a necklace, and even anklets (Kolusu), covering her body from her neck to her lower body and from her upper arms to her fingers. Through her tattoos, she explained the extent of jewelry worn by queens and ordinary women in her generation. From her stories, I learned that tattoo and ear-piercing cultures existed in ancient Tamil Nadu as well. Her tattoos told a story of a time when jewelry was not always accessible, and body art became a form of self-expression and adornment. These tattoos were not just decorations; they were a part of their identity and heritage. They represented the creativity and resilience of women from her generation, who found beauty in every part of their lives, despite the hardships they faced.
Kolusu (Anklets)
(Image source: https://thebetterindia.com/58170/india-tattoo-tradition-history/)
My grandmother's tales opened my eyes to the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, showing me that the art of tattooing and piercing has deep roots in our history. It was a beautiful reminder of how our ancestors expressed themselves and preserved their traditions in ways that continue to inspire us today.
The art of tattooing called Pachai in Tamil Nadu dates back to ancient times when it marked out the identity of an individual. The process seeks out to prepare females to bear the pain of childbirth besides healing for various maladies. The art form now is on the verge of extinction as research shows that there are only handfuls of old women who remember the old designs and songs that accompanied the tattooing process.
(Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/india.ink.archive/p/CT67g5NIdCl/)
The process involves usage of a bunch of needles ranging from 7 or 11 to sometimes 14 that are tied together. The dye is prepared from natural herbs. Some of the popular old designs are the Vaikunta potti (the box from Lord Vishnu's celestial abode), a few fishes called kendai and kelathi, Elakkasaram (cardamom string), Vethalai saram (betel leaf string), Jadhikka potti (nutmeg box), Mallippoo (jasmine flower), Vanki (jewellery design of an armlet) and Suryagandhi poo (sunflower).
Narikuravar Community and Traditional Tattooing
Origins and Migration:
The Narikuravar community from Gujarat believes their unique tattooing heritage is irreplaceable. They might have migrated from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu around the 6th century AD. Various theories suggest their migration was due to resistance to Islamic conversion during Muslim rule, movement with Mughal invasions, or as soldiers in Shivaji's army avoiding conversion to Islam.
Subgroups and Professions:
The Narikuravars are divided into six subgroups.
Watchmen
Salt Traders
Bamboo Workers
Curry Leaf Sellers
Tattoo Artists
Basket Weavers.
Historically hunters, they now use tattooing for livelihood.
(Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/traditional-knowledge-folk-crafts-tamil-nadu-nari-kuravar-williams)Tattoo Art:
Tattooing in Narikuravar culture was not just for aesthetics but also had medicinal values. Traditional inks used a mix of soot, milk, and herbs. Tattoos often symbolized emotional bonds or served as medicinal practices. Today, traditional hand-poked methods are replaced by modern techniques.
Modern Challenges:
With changing generations, traditional tattooing is seen as outdated. Modern tattoo parlors now face opposition due to health concerns. Despite this, the community strives to preserve their art amidst modern pressures.
Significance and Future:
Tattooing historically represented emotional bonds, medicinal practices, and cultural symbols. Now, it's an art form with aesthetic focus, losing traditional values. Efforts are needed to document, research, understand, and preserve this heritage. The community seeks new ways to sustain themselves while maintaining their cultural identity.
What is Tattooing
Tattooing involves using needles to create various designs on the body in green ink, enhancing its appearance. It is the practice of injecting indelible ink under the skin or using substances that can alter the skin's pigmentation to create designs and figures, known as tattooing. This is followed as a cultural style and, in some ethnic groups, as a ritual. Tattooing is also used to identify farm animals.
Tattooing has been practiced across various civilizations for ages. The Ainu people of Japan traditionally practice facial tattooing. In countries like India and Sri Lanka, tattooing has been a custom since ancient times.
Indian Culture
Tattoos have been a part of Indian culture since ancient times, serving various purposes beyond beautification. From the rain-soaked jungles of the northeast to the deserts of Kutch, tattoos have been used for different reasons by various communities. The tradition, known as gudna in Hindi, was especially significant in agrarian and forested areas. Tattoos served as permanent jewelry and were believed to protect against evil.
In the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, tattoos made girls less appealing to rival tribes to prevent abductions. The procedure involved cutting the skin with thorns and filling it with soot mixed in animal fat. The Indian government banned this practice in the 1970s, but it persists in some remote areas.
The Singpho of Assam and Arunachal had distinct tattoo rules for men and women. The Konyaks of Nagaland tattooed their faces to signify battle prowess. In South India, tattoos were common before 1980, with the nomadic Korathi artists inking protective designs. The Toda tribe tattooed their hands and calves with geometric patterns.
In Central India, tattoos among the Dhanuks in Bihar aimed to deglamourize women for protection, while the Munda tribe used tattoos to commemorate historical victories. The Gonds used tattoos to cover exposed skin decently. The Kutia Kondh of Orissa tattooed their faces for recognition in the spirit world. The Santhal tribes had different tattoos for various life stages, believing the pain prepared women for motherhood.
In Western India, Rabari women of Kutch used tattoos for decorative, religious, and therapeutic purposes. The Mer tribe preferred designs inspired by holy men, gods, and nature. Mehndi, a form of temporary tattooing, is traditionally used for celebrations and rites of passage.
In recent history, Chhattisgarh’s Ramnamis used full-bodied 'Ram Ram' tattoos to fight caste discrimination. Over the past few decades, tattoos have become a fashion statement among urban Indian youth. Notable tattoo artists like Manjeet Singh, Abhinandan Basu, and Mo Naga have gained international acclaim.
Today, Indian body art blends creativity and tradition, evolving from a symbol of identity and territory to a means of expressing beliefs and memories.
Tattoos in Indian Tribes
Tattoo culture has ancient roots in India, especially among tribal communities. Initially considered taboo, tattoos have now become trendy, with famous artists like Manjeet Singh from Delhi.
Historically, tattoos were used to prevent the abduction of women, identify tribal members during wars, and invoke spiritual beliefs. For example, the Singhpo tribe had specific tattoo rules for men and women, while a tribe in Orissa believed facial tattoos helped them recognize each other in the spirit world. Tattoos were also thought to ward off the god of death, Yama.
Gradual Shift in Mindset
In South India, the nomadic Korathi community specialized in tattooing, exchanging their services for goods or money. They believed kolam-like designs protected them from evil until reuniting with ancestors in the afterlife.
Modern tattoos, inspired by tribal symbols and personal memorials, have gained popularity across age groups. Despite the shift towards trendy designs, the cultural and spiritual significance of tattoos persists in India.
The need to make a statement or to commemorate an event is something that will ensure that the tattoo culture will never die. The rationale for getting tattooed has gone through way more turns. Now, bodily art is considered as a trend. It has become a trend in the society where people go for the inking art to be able to express their beliefs, memories and even the phase they are in. Tattoos are not only about identity and territory anymore, it is also about telling your story in an artistic manner.
From the tribes of India, to the pop culture, body art in India has indeed evolved a lot. Tattoo culture is always associated with high trend fashion and ancient time.
Written by Siva Nanthini
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