Tracing Tattoo Trails

Sakshi Rawte on the developing relationship between crossing continents and lines of ink

- Sakshi Rawte

When I got my first tattoo more than ten years ago, I never imagined my body would eventually be covered in them. Every time the tattoo needle traces a design on my body, it's therapeutic to watch my creative vision come to life. Like me, millions of people all over the world use their bodies as a canvas for their stories, ideologies and emotions. It wouldn't be too preposterous to consider then that instead of making a trip to the nearest tattoo parlour, one would cross continents to get that specific design inked.

The intersection of tattoos and travel dates back longer than we know. Sailors usually got tattoos as a testament to their travels. Ancient pilgrims were known for marking their bodies as proof of their pilgrimage. Razzouk Tattoo, located in Jerusalem's Old City, has been popular among Christian pilgrims since the 14th century. Similarly, Ajarn Noo Kanpai's studio in Thailand has seen a consistent rise in clients ever since Angelina Jolie got a traditional Sak Yant inked on her back. If enthusiastic travellers can plan their vacations to explore picturesque locations or try out uniquely local cuisines, they can do the same to adorn their skin with ink.

INTERSECTIONS

Collecting souvenirs from around the world is common; however, inking a memory to cherish forever is picking up among travellers. From couples getting matching tattoos to friends getting one in honour of their friendship to purely impulsive ones, tattoos and travel have found a sweet spot for interaction. Shomil Shah, a self-taught hand poke artist who travels all around the world to ink clients, explains, "A lot of the clients that come to me are either from the diaspora having lived abroad for the better part of their lives while some of them are from other countries."