With a chequered past, India’s body art history holds diverse narratives, found in historical texts and indigenous communities. The term ‘tattoo’ stems from the Hindi word tatau or tatu, once powerful symbols of identity, spirituality, and status. The 20th century brought changes, associating tattoos with taboos. Recently, body art is again being embraced as self-expression. Icons like Rihanna and Angelina Jolie too, use their bodies to tell stories, etching moments and beliefs. Against this backdrop of resurgence, Bazaar India spotlights three indomitable women with inked tales, each a veritable artist sharing their journey through tattoos and piercings.
