Rooted in ink

This artist is archiving traditional Indian embroidery and tribal art on skin

The Indian tattooing culture is slowly becoming a part of a larger movement with self-taught artists like Utsavi Jhaveri who celebrate India’s rich folk art, culture, textile and embroidery. Taking cues from the age-old traditions of Indian tribes like the todas and the rabaris—who got tattooed in the same motifs as they’d use in their embroidery—and Indian folk art such as gond, pattachitra and madhubani, Jhaveri gives it her own contemporary twist. She was introduced to various styles of tattooing in the US.

Utsavi Jhaveri

“That is when I realised that tattooing doesn’t just have to be your big macho tribal designs, the photo-realistic religious tattoos or the typical infinity signs, butterflies and angels,” she adds.  While going through depression due to her move and a failed relationship, Jhaveri’s therapist had recommended that she do something every day that made her happy. “I started tattooing on friends and family while I was learning and that is how Border-Line Tattoos was born. Initially a lot of my designs were American-influenced, but as time passed, it became what I’d call contemporary Indian.” Jhaveri has also created several custom tattoos based on family heirlooms and mother’s sarees for brides, daughters, sisters and even sons. While the majority of her audience is women, she has male clients too. “I enjoy seeing my embroidery designs on men as they challenge gender norms and are not the sort of tattoos men are ‘supposed’ to flaunt. It’s refreshing.”
@border.line.tattoos, Instagram

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