Permanent markers

What kinds of tattoos have people been getting recently? We found 10 tats and the 10 beautiful, indelible stories they tell

-  Karishma Kuenzang

1 May the force...

Mumbai artist and musician Tejas Menon, 33, calls Star Wars his religion. For his first tattoo, he went with a red-and gold sunset from the 1977 classic. "The scene is crucial. Luke Skywalker has just been told hat he can't pursue his dream. He looks at the sunset, imagining a better future." The handpoked art was created by Shivani Javeri at Stickity Tats, Mumbai.

2 Keeping the faith

Mumbai musician and bassist Harshit Misra, aka Hashbass, 32, got two tattoos last year, making his total 11. On his left arm is his late mom's name in Japanese, with the flowers she loved, and some black and white piano keys. He also has an unfinished rose and the word Faith. He got his tats from Devilz Tattooz in Delhi.

3 Ain't no mountain...

Gurugram resident Parul Pratap's tattoo, a pine tree on the side of her wrist, marks eight years shes worked a chef at Delhi's Music & Mountains. "It took more than 16 years for me to land my dream job," says Pratap, 46. She has six tattoos, all of which in discreet spots. She got inked at Morphology Studio in the Delhi.

4 A pet project