“For me, tattoo is everything because whatever I have achieved in life is only because of tattoos. So much love I have received is only because of tattoos. While I’m doing a tattoo on someone’s body I keep trying to do something very different, I try to shape my client’s emotions and wishes in that portrait so that he leaves and lives with a smile. It’s that smile that matters to me the most”.
We are in that situation in India, where we think twice before deciding on our career plans because we always face a big NO from our parents when we try to do something unconventional. Exactly why I am writing to you to let you know, IT IS OKAY!
It is absolutely alright if you want to do something out of the box, your parents might not support you. It is okay to go against the world if you believe in yourself. So, I am going to tell you about a career option which people don’t usually support.
I have four tattoos. My mother is cool with it. Dad is not. He accepted them gradually. I love getting inked not because it’s a fashion statement, but because whatever I ink, really means a lot to me. So, I have a story to share with you and it is about a friend who is a famous tattoo artist. Most of you will grow fond of this article because it will push you to think tattooing can and must be considered as a career option and why not? It’s trending, it’s ART, it means a part of what you believe in, it’s got money, international status, etc.
“When I started tattooing, I never knew I would sustain this long. It’s been 4 years, but when I started, I thought I would be doing it as a hobby, never really took it as a profession. But when people started recognizing me for my work, it’s been 4 years and people know who I am, that is when I realize my decision was right. Money is definitely there but that’s not the primary need you know, the appreciation is way more valued. If one artist isn’t appreciated or criticized, he gets mentally frustrated. But this isn’t the only thing I want to do, I have higher goals, because when I see international level of work and compare my work, I stand nowhere. So that’s the ultimate goal that I have to keep learning because art is limitless and there is no stopping. So ya, Recognition is secondary. Learning is my primary goal”, said Anjan Pradhan, a very very loved Tattoo artist who resides in the heart of the Kolkatans.
It’s his 4th year in this journey and he is doing great. And this is what he had to say when I asked him about his feelings when people recognize him for his work. Anjan is a fun guy and a fan guy and a mad guy, who has this urge to change his hair colour and there isn’t a single day in a week he doesn’t party and he has serious disease because my Facebook newsfeed is always flooded with his selfies.
As, I sat down to talk to Anjan and wanted to learn what has made him and how he shaped himself, he decided to tell me his story. You know, I always wondered how these tattoo artists discover this hidden talent in them to play with machines and gift us a portrait that we will carry to our grave. Amazing, isn’t it? “This art thing was always inside me. I used to sketch ALOT. I was always seen sketching in school, in between classes, during classes, so this urge to sketch was always inside me and then there were TV shows like LA INK, MIAMI INK, which were pretty popular and the kind of lifestyle they were living, it fascinated me and so I decided to give it a try because doing art on someone’s body blew my mind”. You know I believe, in order to become something, you need to judge its ways, even before risking it all, you need to think of the pros and cons. Anjan Pradhan did not think twice. He was sure about it when he saw the LA INK stars having a cool life ahead, he knew it – THIS IS IT because let me repeat myself again, Anjan was born to dance and ink. Nobody can stop him from these two things.
Now, tattooing is a very complicated form of art. Use of needles and machine that produce weird sounds is a havoc thing, altogether. Pencils, brushes, sketch pens are all fine, but how does someone do that magic with that gun like thing on your body? I always wondered. ALWAYS. “I bought my tattoo machine four years back with the money I borrowed from my friends”. Anjan took help from his friends and assured that the tattoos on their body will be free of cost as they helped him buy the tattoo kit. He is self taught and of course he did bad tattoos and that was a learning experience for him, “but now the scope is huge so people should not follow the way I started. 4 years back we never thought we would take it to a professional level. We never got the opportunity to learn this art but people who are willing to do this must learn it as the scopes are huge,now”.
Now, coming to the main area – Stereotypes. Mind bugs basically. When you wish to get inked, you basically see your parents reacting as if you have committed a crime and this is the worst you could do to them because according to them tattoos cause cancer and blah blah ! HELL NO! IT DOES NOT.
Remember, tattoos are done on the skin which doesn’t mix with your blood. “You cannot help it. I know people who believe that if you have tattoos you are a bad guy; you are into drugs, jobless and aimless. But it’s such a joke to me because my clients are from all sorts of classes, starting from a businessman, waiter, doctors, engineers, models, actors, housewives, everybody. And people who think tattoo are the root cause of Cancer do not know how it is done and how we tattoo artists take care of everything, how we maintain hygiene and how we are so careful about the needles we use. Half our money goes behind new needles, international products, to make sure that our clients are absolutely in safe hands and nothing happens to them because if we don’t follow the instructions, it’s our loss.
But the scene is improving because people do appreciate the work, they have started to accept it and they have started to research as well. It will take time because nobody said it is easy and nobody said it would be tough, either”. Anjan believes that if a tattoo artist isn’t taking care of the hygiene then its better he/she doesn’t do it because it may ruin the art. And only needles do not matter, while tattooing whatever an artist touches, it has to be changed and washed. He also points out the worst for us that is in India, tattooing has earned a lot of attention and so out of 10 ten, 2 of them will be tattoo artists who do not maintain hygiene, so Anjan pinpoints this for us to be careful especially when it comes to tattoos.
I asked Anjan if his parents were supportive about him choosing such an unconventional career which has a shaky road. Surprisingly, Anjan’s parents have always been very supportive.”Infact, the first tattoo I did was on my Father’s hand. First tattoo – First client was my Dad”. Mr. and Mrs. Pradhan are proud parents as Anjan did prove that this is the life he has chosen and he is happy doing what he does. His father is extremely proud of him and they get recognized as Anjan’s parents. Teary eyed Anjan smiled at me. I mean wouldn’t the world be wonderful if there was understanding and trust? 🙂
After being all emotional, I asked Anjan if he looks up to the fellow tattoo artists and Anjan went on to appreciate his fellow mates and how much they inspire him and how well they rectify his work. Anjan says that unless the tattoo culture grows, it will not do them any good and it can only grow when there is no competition as art cannot be compared and it will grow when the artists help each other to get better.
“So Anjan, how would you break the stereo and promote it as a career option?”
“Now a days, tattooing is a good career opportunity, but you have to do it the right away. Using the good methods, clean needles and hygienic place and habits. But again, we artists have to break the ice by just following the correct ways because people will talk, and its fine. Someday they will not when they try to understand what it is! It is a new option and it will take time to prosper. So yes, let the stereos take its time, till then, we will get better”. Anjan being the thug life, always! Haha.
You know it’s beautiful how India is accepting talented people and not paying much heed to a fake degree because degree doesn’t determine success. While speaking to Anjan, I realized that he is happier than a lot other people who are working and earning more than him.
A successful person is he who is satisfied with his life, and is peaceful and happy. Like Anjan said, money is secondary. I also happen to believe that such career options should be given more preference because since childhood I have been hearing tales where my teachers have taught me to take risks. A monotonous job will give you money without satisfaction and peace but dearest India, we no more lack courage! People like Anjan, people like you have decided to stick to your passion and give it a louder voice and this is why India is shining, this is why we have a face, to face the international level, not to compete, but to keep at par with them and exchange thoughts and culture to grow better. Tattooing is NOT useless, fellow orthodox Indians. You must have read cases where people died or are diseased due to tattoos, but did you care to check what really happened? I bet you the tattoo kit wasn’t washed or changed. You know, pointing fingers is easy but sitting in that chair with that machine in your hand and doing that beautiful piece of art is tough. If we don’t break the stereotypes, who will?
And, career options like DJing, tattooing, baking, etc, should be given more preferences than unhealthy unclean 9-5 work. SO, this was Anjan Pradhan for you, who owns Unik Ink Tattoo Studio, Calcutta.
This post is a part of our awareness campaign #MyCareerMyChoice. To read more posts from this campaign, please click here.
