Three leading women let us in on the stories behind their tattoos and what they mean to them

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. 

Isha Singh Sawhney

“For me, it all started with a simple star tattoo on my stomach, funded by my supportive father, when I was 
just a teenager. Little did I know that this seemingly spontaneous act would shape my journey and become 
an integral part of my existence,” says the 39-year-old writer. “As the years passed, my appreciation for body art grew, transforming it into a thoughtful process of self-expression and exploration. Like an avid collector of art, I began to envision my body as a living gallery, adorned with tattoos that held both aesthetic and symbolic significance. Each mark became a conduit through which I could reclaim my body and find solace in moments of pain and pleasure converging. For instance, the bond I share with my sister finds its eternal mark in the tattoos we both bear, our birthdays forever intertwined in ink. The benevolent Goddess Khwanian, graces my skin, symbolising the pursuit of restoration and harmony,” says Isha.

For her, the significance of body art extends beyond personal aesthetics. It has a rich and fascinating historical origin, rooted deeply in human culture. “Across time and cultures, tattoos have served as vessels to communicate stories of love, war, loss, and community. My fascination with this age-old practice led me to different corners of the world like Japan, New Zeland, and New York, seeking artists who engraved on my skin.” Isha says she continues to add to her collection. “I cherish every story, whether it’s a beautifully crafted piece or one that didn’t turn out as expected. The process of getting a tattoo has become meticulous, involving careful consideration of what I want and who I trust to leave their artistry on my skin. To some, my inked body may still evoke disapproval, but I take pride in the privilege to express myself through this form of art.”

Ambika Nayak A.K.A Kayan

Kayan’s journey with body art has been a deeply personal and liberating experience. “I got my first tattoo when I was 19 or 20. The fact that it’s going to live with me for ever, really fascinated me,” says the 25-year-old musician. It wasn’t peer pressure that motivated her to get body art; rather, it was her genuine interest and admiration for tattoos. “I thought it was really cool. I think more than helping me get over something it just made me feel very free and in control of my own body. People tend to make assumptions based on appearances, but I don’t let that affect me. Instead, I embrace body art as a powerful form of self-expression,” she adds.

As for the designs, she tells Bazaar India that each tattoo carries a story except for one. “All of them kind of have some stories except for one—I just got it because I really liked the art. I have a tattoo of a monstera leaf, with the word ‘nowhere’ written on it, which could also be read as ‘now here’. It reminds me of my time in an art studio in Cambodia where I went for an artist residency. The wallpaper in the studio had a monstera leaf and the place was called ‘Now Here’, or you could also call it ‘Nowhere’. It reminds me of this really beautiful experience that I had, and it’s always going to stay with me. The handwriting is my own, so that adds a special touch. I have one more tattoo—my biggest—which is the skeleton of a mermaid, with the letter S, which is my father’s initial. I lost my dad when I was really young. And in some ways, this skeleton represents a time when I finally got over the fear of people leaving me. I had to go through a lot to get to that point. And in some ways, it’s a little reminder of him.” 

Nayantara Parikh

“I wanted to get tattoos since I was a teenager. I got my first one at 18. I look at tattooing as a way of documenting my memories—either moments I wanted to remember, or ones that left a significant mark on my life,” says Nayantara Parikh, creative director, FS Life. The 34-year-old believes body art plays a role in shaping her individual identity. “My tattoos have become a part of how I’ve stitched myself together. I feel more like myself with them than without them. They feel like armour on some days, and on other days I forget I even have them. I never got them for an audience, it was always about how they made me feel.”

Each tattoo on Nayantara’s body means something special to her. “Most of the tattoos on my body honour moments of my life, some of which were hard goodbyes. I have the cross-streets of an apartment I once lived in on my wrist with a tiny star marking the spot. I have the word ‘forgive’ on my rib-cage as a reminder to forgive (not forget). Sometimes tattoos don’t turn out to be perfect or exactly how you pictured them. They also change as your body changes, they are a reminder to make peace with who you were, who you are.” However, tattoos are still seen negatively by a lot of people. “Over the years I’ve encountered two stereotypes: one that I’d have a sexual openness and second that I do narcotics! Both always make me laugh. These conclusions reveal more about the person judging me, than about my life.”