Living with ink
“My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story.”
~ Johnny Depp
Its been more than 3 years now. My everyday partner, my tattoo has always been there when I look in the mirror.
So what does it mean to have a visible tattoo on your body? It has been a very interesting journey.
Unlike a lot of other people, my ink is visible everyday no matter what clothes I am wearing. This has caused a few interesting conversations and experiences especially with strangers.
By now I am very used to a person looking at my tattoo first and then moving their eyes to look at my face. Its the same reaction these people would give to a handicapable person. Look at the face at the end. But nevertheless, the attention and the curiosity is flattering, thankyou!
After that when they meet your eye, it's usually a smile that seems to say ah nice tattoo or a quick roll of the eyeball away saying, oops she noticed I was staring at her tattoo. But I like the smiles. It's the start for the next time's recognised 'hi'.
It has been a conversation starter at times for the other person who is meeting me. After the initial pleasantries of names when meeting someone for the first time many do think its ok to ask someone about their tattoo. But I don't mind. As some do it 'cause they lack anything else to say but many with a genuine interest. Among them the question I get most asked is, Does it hurt? I usually say yes, a bit. But what I want to say is, "Yes of course it does, if you want something permanently etched on your body. What is the fun if this could be done with anesthetics? Other than the joy of having a permanent companion as a tattoo, the first best feeling is that you did endure the pain to get it on yourself and only you know why it was worth it." Well, that saying is true... No pain, no gain!
After this, the other questions start about where I got it done and what it actually means, I usually don't feel oblidged to answer what it means to everyone I meet unless i consider them close enough to know about it. There is a lot coded into my tattoo and only I know the complete meaning of it :) .
Funniest thing of all, is the look on the older generation's faces when I wear a silk saree with it showing :). That look is visible of just an instant before they change it to other civil things, but it is enjoyable!
Its hard in India for a random stranger to start a conversation with you, unless its a snarky, offensive comments or an uncomfortable stare. But this has happened. The oddest of people have come up to me and asked if I got it done because I like music and where I had got it done, written down the address of the tattoo studio or just said that it looks nice. Atleast I hope that Pradeep Menon has got a customer or two because of me.
And I do love the assumptions people make just by looking at it. Oh, it's your name on it, isn't it? Ah, is that your favourite song? You can play an instrument huh? (I wish I could though!). Whose name is that? (Believe me I wouldn't!). But all those talks mostly end with, "Oh even I want one but I just don't know what to get. I am scared I will regret it or get bored of it after a few years."
I can tell you one thing for sure, "IF" you want your tattoo to represent you, then you just need to know and 'accept' who you are. As it's something that defines you and so you will never be ashamed of it or regret it. From the minute it starts to form on you, you will love it for the rest of your life. Even if it's a concept of something that you want to be or inspires you, get it done as you will draw strength from it. But you will love it no matter what it is as its a part of you now, unless it's someone's name (This is where most tattoo mistakes occur :P).
But what does it mean, living with ink for me? Everyday when I look into the mirror, I absolutely love the mark on me. It's the one sure thing. Whatever else is taken from me, money, materialistic things and even friendships, this will remain. It's one of the best investments I have made. There are times I have drawn strength from it. Days when I have felt really down and I don't feel the need to pump myself with enthusiasm, one look at the mirror and I feel the need to live up to the sharpness, clarity and the coolness of my tattoo. So I keep my mood aside and stuff myself with some positive energy. And It is one of the prettiest things on me.
If it wasn't clear already, I love living with my tattoo.
“Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past.”
~ Jack London