There was a time when getting tattooed meant walking into the most popular studio in town and choosing a design off a wall. But India’s tattoo culture has evolved far beyond that. Today, people are searching for something far more personal, with art that carries identity, emotion, storytelling, and individuality. In an era where self-expression matters more than trends, independent tattoo artists are becoming the real stars of the ink scene. Mehak Walia in conversation with six independent tattoo artists, discussing their specializations and beyond. From hyper-detailed realism and hand-poked art to experimental linework and culturally rooted designs, a new generation of tattoo artists across India is building loyal communities purely through their distinct styles and creative vision. They are not just creating tattoos; they are creating experiences, safe spaces, and deeply personal collaborations that stay with people for life. So, let’s just shine a spotlight on some of the most exciting independent tattoo artists making their mark and redefining what India’s modern ink culture looks like today. Six Must-Check Independent Tattoo Artists: AZ aka Azrael: For Azrael, tattooing is far more than a profession; it is a deeply personal and meditative form of expression. Drawn to the idea of creating lasting art on somebody else’s skin, he describes the process as both peaceful and creatively fulfilling. “I love the whole process of creating art on somebody else’s skin,” he says, adding that tattooing is also where he feels most connected to music and to his own individuality as an artist. “I feel like I want to do my own thing in my own way.” While many artists view tattooing purely as body art, Azrael sees the medium extending far beyond skin. Inspired by the intersection of fashion, design, and tattoo culture, he believes the industry has the potential to

What if a museum didn’t just show you history, but revealed the very values that built India as a civilisation? Abhay Prabhavana is a remarkable museum nestled far away from the rush and noise of the city. Surrounded by peaceful rural landscapes and open skies, the place feels deliberately distanced from distractions, almost as if silence itself is part of the experience. As Vonteru Aarthi Reddy explores, this space offers far more than visual exhibits. Unlike any museum I’ve visited, Abhay Prabhavana does not rely on ancient artefacts or recycled displays. Instead, it invites you on a carefully crafted journey to understand India’s values, evolution, and inner wisdom. What makes it even more extraordinary is that the museum took nearly ten years to build researching, writing, sculpting, designing, revising, and refining all dedicated to presenting India’s civilisation with clarity and integrity. A Museum Built Like a Civilisation — Layer by Layer The first thing that struck me was how thoughtfully everything is structured. This is not a place that overwhelms you with dates and artefacts. Instead, the museum unfolds like a narrative, a story of who we are, where we came from, and why our civilisation stood firm for thousands of years. The journey begins with India’s ancient values. Concepts like Atma, Karma, restraint, truthfulness, compassion, and discipline, often misunderstood or oversimplified, are explained here with remarkable clarity. Visual storytelling blends seamlessly with philosophy. As you move forward, the museum transitions into India’s civilizational story. You witness how our earliest cultures formed along the rivers, how Jain, Buddhist, and Vedic traditions shaped thought, and how ideas circulated freely in ancient India. The narrative is honest and balanced; it explains prosperity, decline, resilience, and transformation without exaggeration or omission. Everything inside the museum is freshly created: every sculpture, every painting, every

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The once popular Chitrakathi, storytelling through paintings, is brought back to life by the Gangawane family in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg. Ketki Gadre interviews the last family practicing this art form to delve into their motivations and the supporters who have aided them on this journey. After a long day of trekking the Western Ghats around Bhogwe Beach in Sindhudurg, my luxury resort, Coco Shambhala, suggested an unusual activity – an art class. They agreed to it and invited Chetan Gangavane, a third-generation Chitrakathi artist working to revive this art form. Chitrakathi Art While setting up the art activity, Mr Chetan briefs me about the 11 art forms his community (Thakar) has been involved with for generations. His family currently practices three art forms unique to Maharashtra: String puppetry, Chitrakathi, and Shadow puppetry. “Chitrakathi involves storytelling through art on a 12×15” or 12×18” canvas, which can take 1-3 days to complete, depending on the painting’s intricacy. Traditionally, these paintings depicted scenes from mythological epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, accompanied by live singers playing instruments. Therefore, Chitrakathi artists needed not only painting skills but also the ability to sing and play instruments,” explains Mr. Chetan. The Thakar community, an Adivasi tribe living in the forests, gained recognition for their art from the erstwhile warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He brought them out of forests and closer to towns and provided them opportunities to perform art shows during festivals. In return, the community assisted the king by spreading messages of social enlightenment through their art. The artists earned their livelihood for many years through food or monetary donations. However, over time, attitudes shifted, and people stopped donating food and began treating them with disrespect. The Gangavane family is the last Thakar community to practice this centuries-old art form. The rest gave up with