The art of tattooing has been an integral part of Indian cultural heritage, deeply rooted in various tribes and communities across the country. From serving as markers of social status to providing protection against evil spirits, tattoos have played diverse roles in different regions of India. These permanent body modifications not only reflect artistic expressions but also carry profound cultural, spiritual, and social significance. Let's explore the tattoo traditions from different parts of India:
Starting with the North-East India, the Singhpo tribe of Assam and Arunachal had distinct rules for each gender for tattoo making. The married women were tattooed on both legs from the ankles to the knees, while the men were tattooed on their hands. The unmarried Singpho girls were barred from wearing tattoos as the tattoos were known to represent marital status.
Also prominent among the tattooed tribes of the northeast were the headhunting Konyaks of Nagaland who tattooed their faces to indicate their prowess in battle and headcount. Tattoos also helped in establishing tribal identity in the region, besides enabling recognition after death in a war or fatal accident.
Moving to Southern India, permanent tattoos were called Pachakutharathu. They were very common, especially in Tamil Nadu, before the 1980s. The nomadic Korathi tattoo artists travelled the countryside in search of clients. The Kollam, a sinuous labyrinthine design believed to ensnare evil beings, is inked on bodies to permanently keep them safe and secure until reunited with deceased ancestors in the afterlife.
Central India also has a long and barbaric tradition of tattooing. The Dhanukas in Bihar believe tattoos deglamourize women – this helps them evade the eyes of influential sex predators. Furthermore, due to the prevalence of the purdah system, women from lower castes had to have visible parts of their bodies tattooed to signal their inferior status.
On the other hand, the Munda tribe in Jharkhand, which values courage, uses body art to record historic events. The Mundas defeated the Mughals thrice and to commemorate these victories, Munda men even today tattoo three straight vertical lines on their foreheads.
The Gonds of Central India, one of India’s largest tribes, traditionally leeave much of their bodies exposed. The bare skin is covered with kohkana (Gondi for tattoos).
The Kothari women from Rajasthan and Gujarat generally begin the task of elaborate tattooing by bestowing blessings on their subjects while the Rajput women bear the emblem of Krishna’s crown on their arms as a mark of aristocracy. Despite the wails of pain, the ladies are always perfect in the designing of symbols and figures. Tattoos are also used to strengthen the marital relationship between couples, with the symbol of Moon protecting his favourite wife and Lord Vishnu’s tools like wheel and lotus being marked on the wife’s palms to keep her secure.
The tattoo motifs preferred by the Mer tribe of Gujarat also include holy men, popular gods and symbols derived from nature. A Mer woman’s most favourite tattoo design is called hansali, which extends right from her neck to the border of her inner feet.
These diverse tattooing traditions across India demonstrate how body art has served multiple purposes - from social identification and spiritual protection to marking significant life events and preserving cultural heritage. While modern tattoo culture may differ in its approach, these traditional practices continue to influence and inform our understanding of body art's significance in human society.
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