Tattoo, that's for you!

Chennai, June 15: Some say it is a permanent reminder of temporary insanity while others call it an attitude. But, this ancient Egyptian form of body art or 'tattoo' has become a rage in Chennai of late.

Being chic with low-waist jeans and sleeveless-Ts , the cyber city, teeming with its share of metrosexuals and pencil thin young urban generation, is fast emerging as a hub for modern versions of the ancient art of tattooing.

The trend is equally popular among the older age groups.

''Tattoos are no longer limited to the rough and rowdy. With its growing popularity among the young, it is vital we develop a better understanding of this form of self expression,'' says Praveen, the owner of 'The Rock', the most popular tattoo parlour in the city.

The 35-year-old tattoo artist says having one on the arm, near the shoulder blade, collar-bone, navel, way down the back or even on the ankle is a rage.

Apart from holy cross, tribal symbols, sun, flames, butterflies, dolphins, sharks, zodiac signs, dragons, Chinese symbols and hearts are some of the common patterns.

While the boys' favourite spots are the arms, the girls prefer to have tattoos on upper or lower back.

''In my parlour, most boys and girls favour their lover's name to be tattooed while the middle age group like to have tribal designs.

Five people, on an average, visit my parlour daily with specific designs in their mind,'' says Praveen who took up the profession in the early 80s.

"Tattooing is an art and the artist should make sure the skin is not affected due to bad inks. I import synthetic pigments from the United States. Tattooing takes a minimum of half-an-hour and a maximum of four hours depending on the size and colour of the tattoo," adds the tattoo artist. In Chennai, most of the tattoo parlours charge the customers anywhere from Rs 250 to a couple of thousand rupees depending on the designs and the size.

''It is very difficult to remove my shirt in front of my parents since I tattooed my girlfriend's name in my arm,'' Karthik, a final year college student said.

Medical fratenity shares its opinion on the art of tattooing.

According to Dr Anand, a leading dermatologist at a prominent hospital in the city, there has been a variety of claims that bad tattoo inks cause adverse effects, including allergic reactions and burning sensation during the dermal pigmentation.

''Most of the tattoo ink contains chemicals like halides, cobalt, mercury and silver nitrate which contain toxins,'' he says adding these chemicals have ill effects on the skin.

Dr Anand expresses his concern about the spread of AIDS or hepatitis virus, caused due to the unsterilized needles used in the art.

However, most of the tattoo parlour owners reiterate they use only disposable needles and gloves and good dyes and anesthetics which cannot cause any such problems.

Appreciating the insertion of pigmentation deep into he skin, Kevin (25), a regular customer of a tattoo parlour in the city said, ''My tattoo cost 1500 bucks and I gave 100-rupee tip to the maker, probably not the best tip in the world, but I think it was important to give something extra." "About four hours later, when I took off the bandage, it looked so cute. I washed the tattoo with warm soap water. I'm totally in love with it and I don't think I am going to regret my decision," the tattoo lover said adding he was thinking of getting the next one.

''Probably on my ankle. I might even get my girlfriend's photo on the next one.'' The tattoo has arrived (again). Long live tattoo!

UNI