They are
artists alright. Meticulous, intricate and creative. And their canvasses are your bodies. All they do
is create art on the best artistry ever created by nature- humans.
This was celebrated, as it always is annually, for the last five
years at the Goa Tattoo Festival. Coupled with entertainment, live music, a
stunning art gallery, live art displays, market stalls and much more, the
festival continued to ink its place as a must do event in Goa’s cultural, art
and entertainment calendar, held at the Tito’s White House
Nina Fedorova got her
first tattoo done at this festival and was confused at looking at so much of
tattoo art available. Armaan, a young tattoo lover went for his second tattoo
and was amazed at the kind of art the festival had on display.Shankar came all
the way from Indore to get his tattoo done and explore the best options at the
Goa Tattoo Festival.
Most tattoo lovers
went “window shopping” for the best tattoos visiting the stalls of the tattoo
masters. And they were not disappointed. The best tattoo gurus of India were
there. Vikas Malani of the Body Canvas fame from Mumbai has been a regular
participant since the first season and also had one of the biggest stalls in
the arena. He has worked with some of the best names in Bollywood also and has
expanded his wings internationally too with operations in the UK and Sweden as
well.
Just recently, he
worked with Laxmi Agarwal, the acid attack survivor and activist, and helped
women to train in tattoo art. Speaking on the festival he said, “I have seen
the festival grow from strength to strength and I love coming back to Goa for
this. In Goa, tattoo is not just an art but part of the culture. The love for
tattoo art has grown immensely over the years but we feel that some regulation
and rules need to be brought in place since it’s not just art but also involves
health related risks.
“It’s time we treat
tattoo art as a regular profession and give tattoo artists the respect they
deserve. Also, I feel that training for tattoo art is still rare. We as a brand
have tried to do the best, especially for women; any woman who wants to learn
the skill is welcome to come and train with us free of charge.”
Devil’z Tattooz,
which has the biggest chain of tattoo studios in Delhi/Gurgaon/ Noida and was
started by Lokesh Verma in 2003 after observing a lack of professional tattoo
shops in Delhi/India. Speaking at the event Verma said, “We are the first ones
who have adopted this style in India and are professionally practicing it.
Devil’z Tattooz have internationally experienced and creative artists who are
working towards exceeding international standards of tattooing in terms of work
and hygiene in India.”
Amandeep Singh, who
was at the festival for the first time, said, “ I always wanted to come to Goa
for this festival and I am so glad I made it this year. It’s a great way to
showcase our talent and connect with so many people.”
Hwadam had come all
the way from South Korea to participate in the event and expressed his
happiness on the opportunity that the Goa Tattoo Festival brings for all tattoo
art professionals.
The festival saw a huge turn-out of tattoo lovers from all across the globe and is seemingly a great initiative to bring the community together and also give tattoo art the kind of limelight it deserves.