From tattoos to flea markets to bands to piercings, everyone who is swayed by pop culture will be there at India’s largest Tattoo Festival — The Inksoul. With over 150 tattoo artists from around India, and over 10 bands performing, your wait is over, as the city hosts Inksoul from May 25 to 27 at the Manpho Convention Centre.
If you are a fan, and want a tattoo by your favourite artist, then here’s your chance to get that “little anchor” on your ankle or a “couple tattoo” with your soulmate, and also have an amazing weekend filled with food, art and music!
“I think Bengaluru or let’s say South definitely needed a tattoo convention happening. And now we have Inksoul!” says Shashi Prajapati a Bengaluru-based, solo travelling artist. He believes that the city crowd never disappoints, and that these conventions are a way for upcoming artists to display their talent and network. It also exposes them to various kinds and varieties of art.
Shashi is a travelling tattoo artist and goes by the slogan, “Tattoo Travel Jeep Repeat!”
Mitesh Kondhalkar is another city-based tattoo artist who will be tattooing live on all three days. He says, “I am expecting a lot as this is the first time I’ll be having my own booth, unlike the previous time where I was working with someone. I am looking forward to meeting new artists and clients.”
Mitesh claims that such events play a major role in their career as they help them get clients and meet different tattoo artists. Learning new techniques and working with professionals is also great.
An upcoming lifestyle blogger/actor, Mayashree Mansi Paul, cannot contain her excitement. She has been looking forward to getting tattooed at the festival since its inception. “Holding on to the excitement of seeing some of our favourite bands perform live, I hope this year unfolds budding talent as well.
I plan on getting a lock and key inked on my wrist and I hope I don’t change my mind looking at the variety of artists and designs at the festival, and make it hard for myself!”
This rich experience that celebrates pop culture should be conducted more often across cities, many feel. Such conventions show you a whole new world, and open doors for talent, and also help spread knowledge in ways unfathomable.
— Aditi Jayakumar
