We answered a few questions on tattooing in bangalore

The following questions were answered by Tattoo Artist Veer Hegde for The New Indian Express in Bangalore, doing a press feature story on tattoo culture in the city!

1. When did you set up shop?
2. Has there been an increase in customers in recent years?
3. What are the demographic observations in your tattoo parlour?
4. What kinds of tattoos are the most requested?
5. What kinds of tattoos are present in the field? (Black, coloured, white...)
6. Do you think being 'inked' has now become cliched?
7. What does a tattoo mean to you?
8. Do you think it is important to have a story behind a tattoo?
9. Do you see tattoo culture prevailing in Bangalore?

1. When did you set up shop? 

Been Tattooing part-time since 2006 while I worked for Defense industries as a mechanical engineer. My current tattoo studio located at 91, Richmond Rd, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025 is a few months old.

2. Has there been an increase in customers in recent years?

Yes! society itself is more broad-minded about tattoos they are now accepted respected and loved!

3. What are the demographic observations in your tattoo parlour?

All kinds of people. I have even tattooed 65 yr old NRI from the US who got 2 full arm tattoos by me in. I have tattooed a couple with ring tattoos and they didn't have physical rings but the tattooed ring was a mark of their engagement! Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, Company owners, Industrialists, Real Estate tycoons, Architects, Lawyers, Models, College students

4. What kinds of tattoos are the most requested? 

All genres of tattoos are wanted - Religious, Spiritual, Family, Love, Freedom  as exposure of Tattoos has multiplied exponentially

5. What kinds of tattoos are present in the field? (Black, coloured, white...)

Modern Tattoo art can be classified as black and grey tattoo, coloured, abstract, geometric, tribal, portrait, realistic, surreal only to name a few. Tattooing like music is constantly evolving into branches

6. Do you think being 'inked' has now become cliched?

sure

7. What does a tattoo mean to you?

Tattoos are a higher form of self-expression. Tattoos are a permanent piece of art or symbol on your body which can remind you, inspire you, direct you in life! A tattoo should be unique like the person you are! Like a fingerprint off your mind! That is exactly why we discourage imitating tattoos that are on someone else. All of our work is custom designed for each client and a 100% unique we have also stopped revealing all of our work since some people just want to imitate something that they have seen on our profile that they don't even relate to and walk up to some artists who would just copy that.
Some of my work has been imitated by studios and artists across the country.

8. Do you think it is important to have a story behind a tattoo?

There is always a story! or you can make up one along the way like hangover 2 haha but what you can't have is a strong bond with your tattoo. it is a deep connection something which is going to be with you till the end.. your best friend! your purest thought! your positive energy! your happiness! your inspiration!

9. Do you see tattoo culture prevailing in Bangalore?

Tattooing is universal it has always been there will always be there.. but now in Bangalore and India, as people understand what tattoos are and what power they hold, there is growing respect for the art form and the artist!

Its hard to make time to reply to such an extensive questionnaire through mail ive answered most of them give me a call if you need anymore info..

You can find some of my work on

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Veer Hegde

Eternal Expression Tattoo & Piercing Studio, Bangalore

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