For this week’s chit chat, Republica sits down to discuss tattoos in the capital. [break]
Starting the conversation, 21-year-old salsa instructor from Salsa Dance Academy, Shelly Agarwal, says, “It’s a way of emoting oneself or to remember an experience and to have something you can take with you.”
Mahima Bhattachan, 25, a student of development studies at Kathmandu University, isn’t inked but believes, “Tattoos are a form of art, but some people get them because of peer pressure.”
Beyond that Rabi Thapa, 22, a program producer at Chanel Nepal, adds, “Sure, it’s to express emotions and feelings but can also be to cover scars or marking or old tattoos.” The latter being the reason he has a piece on his left arm.
Immediately questioning Rabi’s reasoning is the 28-year-old freelance architect, Anil Maharjan, who would never sit down under the needle, “But your emotions change and who you are changes too.” To that Rabi argues back with, “Yes, but you have a feeling of who a person is - how can that change?”
As the idea of “self” comes up, the four individuals bring up what identities are linked to being inked. “A lot of people associate tattoos with gangsters and drug addicts,” says Rabi, who was asked if he’d been recently tested for diseases when he went to donate blood.
“By the same token, I think some people are scared. A while ago hepatitis spread and now people think that’s common with tattoos,” contributes Shelly. Anil adds, “I think those who get tattooed now have been heavily influenced by the West.” To which Mahima responds, “When our generation produces children, we’ll be less hung up on what people think.”
The need to be more open-minded was summed up by Shelly’s observation, “I know a lot of people who have tattoos but hide it from their parents because they don’t think their parents will approve.” But Mahima sees a double standard in this, “My grandmother has a tattoo on her hand. I think a lot of people in the older generation have tattoos but they’re more religious.”
Rabi suggests why this might be the case, “Before people didn’t have the choice, and they didn’t have a lot of options which is why the older tattoos end up being more religious.” Mahima agrees, “Now there are so many symbols and designs and people can get traditional or modern tattoos.” Rabi informs that tattoos influenced by Japanese have gained popularity among men and women.
“Japanese tattoos aren’t gender specific. But even now, girls are more likely to have cutesy tattoos that are colorful,” says Rabi, who compares them to the monochromatic ones that boys opt for. Anil doesn’t judge anyone based on whether they are tattooed, male or female, or male and female with tattoos.
Rabi is a firm believer in letting the individual do what they want, but the girls believe there are more social stigmas to being a woman and inked.
“For me it wasn’t too big of a deal, my family didn’t care so much - my parents just wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t regret it,” shares Shelly of the tattoo on the side of the right calf. Mahima brings up a comparative argument, “Even now, women who drink or smoke or out late and judged more harshly than men who do the same, it’s the same for tattoos.”
Speaking of women and tattoos, the issue on cosmetic tattoos suddenly comes up for discussion.
Though the issue borders on controversial note, Rabi lightens the intensity of the matter, “If it makes a pretty girl even prettier - why not?” But the women have other opinions, “For me, natural beauty is the best. I’ve heard about women getting eyebrow tattoos and I don’t think being too artificial is too good,” says Shelly.
Anil says that a person should be able to do what they want and adds, “But they should avoid the face.” “Of course, a tattoo just depends on why you’re doing it,” argues Mahima and Shelly offers sound advice, “This is something you want to think about, it’s going to be permanent. Of course there’s laser but that’s painful and scars - if you get a tattoo you’re jumping in with both feet.” They also bring up safety measures like choosing a safe place, making sure the needle is new and opened in front of you before use, and broken and thrown away after use.
Whether tattoos are a good idea or not can’t be generalized, Shelly believes, “There should be meaning behind getting inked,” and Mahima thinks, “You should take your time.” Anil says, “To each his own,” and at the end, Rabi says, “Even if you’ve taken your time and you’re sure you want it, if you can’t tolerate pain don’t think about it. Having an outline but not being able to complete it just looks bad.”
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