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In an era of minute-by-minute updates, some young teens still want to brand their emotions with a degree of permanence and they’re using that old flag of rebellion — the tattoo. Angst, revenge, love, hate, passion — whether portrayed in word or image — are all now in public view.

Antara Pal, 19, percussionist with Antidote is passionate about music and her drum-kit tattoo is tribute to that. She also has a ‘V’ for vengeance but it’s tempered with angel wings, “I don’t take too many ego-stabbings, I become vengeful. The wings are a hope for me to take the peaceful route instead.” Parental disapproval was taken care of in artful teen style. “My first tattoo was ‘mum’ on my left forearm. I knew my dad would be peeved but when he saw it, he said it was futile to get mum’s name on my arm when ‘she knows you love me more’. He was so matter-of-fact, I took that as an okay.” Addicted to the ink, Antara has plans for more, “Getting a tattoo must be well thought out. I’m planning to get a wolf etched soon because it is so fierce. The artist is a good friend and now I’m practically his sketch board.”
Tarun Naidu, 18, waited six years to get his, “I wanted a tattoo at the age of 12 but was turned down by tattoo artists saying I was too young. I got one as soon as I turned 18. My dad still doesn’t know, he’d be livid. I did tell my mother and she wants it removed. I have three — my girlfriend’s initials with a halo next to mine and another one on my right wrist — but I want another.”
With a dove on her ankle, Gautami P., 18, “I really didn’t have to go through too much to get my tattoo. I asked my folks and they were game. I got what I wanted.” But wallflower, Anjali Chakraborty, 18, got tattooed to help tweak her image, “I was a quiet girl and shocked my mum. My three tattoos add an aura of domination though I’m shy.”

N. Kartik Rao