Foreigners use tattoos to express affection for Hinduism

[prasad1]

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Matthew Gordon, the Australian tourist who along with his girlfriend, was allegedly harassed at a restaurant in Bengaluru by right-wing elements who objected to a tattoo of a Hindu goddess on the man's leg, is hardly the only tourist to have a Hindu deity tattooed on his person. Lokesh Verma, founder, Devil'z Tattoo, one of New Delhi's most popular tattoo chains, said that his studios receive plenty of travellers, who want religious tattoos to "express affection or pay tribute to Hinduism".

"Many wan tattoos on their shin or some part of their lower body, as they already have tattoos on their upper body," said Verma. "We have to advise them that it could be a problem in India, as the lower body isn't seen as sacred. I don't agree with it personally, and I think people should be able to decide for themselves, as a tattoo is a strong expression of your beliefs."
India is not the only place where the what one has inked where could land one in trouble. Verma describes how a friend of his with Buddha tattooed on his back almost got beaten up on a beach near Colombo.
"Foreigners agree to conform, as all they want to do is pay tribute in the best manner possible," adds Verma. Gordon too expressed the same sentiment in a Facebook post after the incident, where he claimed to have got Yellamma and Ganesha tattoos because of his respect for Hinduism.
Foreigners with a penchant for the exotic apart, plenty of Indians go in for such tattoos, albeit on the upper body. "After family, religion is the most common basis for a tattoo. Half of the tattoos we make are of gods," says Verma, adding that the trend started almost a decade ago when Sanjay Dutt got a Shiva tattoo, and most Indian men followed suit. "Shiva is the coolest. Else it's Ganesha, Hanuman, Om, shlokas or mantras."
The reasons are plenty; some kids see it as a compromise with parents who would disapprove other tattoos, some follow celebrities, some want to express strong religious beliefs, sometimes, very strong ones. "After the Uttarakhand floods, these college educated twenty somethings were got inked in my studio, with religious tattoos. They discussed how the floods were caused by a Shiva statue being removed from its designated spot."

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/repor...oos-to-express-affection-for-hinduism-2136572

I know some in this site will argue that "you can not use Mohammad or Jesus tattoo in other countries". Is is really valid? We put photos in all things including fireworks, calendars etc. so what is wrong in Tattoo. Please do not compare this with other religions or countries.

 

[sangom]

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/repor...oos-to-express-affection-for-hinduism-2136572

I know some in this site will argue that "you can not use Mohammad or Jesus tattoo in other countries". Is is really valid? We put photos in all things including fireworks, calendars etc. so what is wrong in Tattoo. Please do not compare this with other religions or countries.

Usually, even in foreign countries, tattoos are made on the chest/breast, arms or upper body parts to express affection. (Does any foreign fellow have the guts to tattoo his lover's name - forget image - on his shin? We need not go to Mohammad or Jesus; this was a fit case and the Bengaluru people handled it with good self-control, I would say. That fellow should have been warned that if he comes out exposing his love for Yellamma on his shin, he would be skinned!

 

[prasad1]

here are many sexy places to get tattooed for both men and women. One of the sexiest places to get a tattoo is on the lower back. Not only is this a great part of the body to get a tattoo because of its sensual nature, but it is also great because it makes it easy for the wearer to choose when he or she wants to show it off and there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to deciding just what kind of lower back tattoo you would like to get. Plus, the lower back is a common place for celebrities of all kinds to get tattoos including actors, actresses, musicians and athletes. This article should give you an idea of why people enjoy getting lower back tattoos as well as some ideas for lower back tattoos for women based off of some celebrity tattoos.
http://tattoodestination.com/tattoos-by-body-part/lower-back-tattoos-and-celebrity-tattoos/

 

[prasad1]

I am no Tattoo expert. It still shocks to see tattoos. But lot of young people all over the world is using it. It has come to mainstream in USA.
I found this tattoo in google search just for Samgomji.

 

[CHANDRU1849]

Since religion is a very sensitive subject, and hyper sensitive in India as it is a multi religious country which has close link with politics, it is the responsibility of both Central and State Govts. to inform the foreigners, especially coming from free thinking Western Countries, who treat religion as a hobby, to be more cautious about religious matters in India.

Such incidents show how poor we are in forecasting such problems and avoiding it to happen.

At least now itself, the Govts. must wake up and avoid such unpleasant happenings.

 

[CHANDRU1849]

I know some in this site will argue that "you can not use Mohammad or Jesus tattoo in other countries". Is is really valid? We put photos in all things including fireworks, calendars etc. so what is wrong in Tattoo. Please do not compare this with other religions or countries.

The person involved in this episode in all probability is a Christian.If so, why doesn't he restrict this to his religion? Is it due to ignorance?

Coming to the point of photos, you should have photographs of your close relatives. Will you tattoo your close relatives in your feet, back and other sensitive parts to express your affection and also in the name of freedom of expression?

 

[Janaki Jambunathan]

Tatoo culture has political ramification as well - Remember MGR directed his cadre to have AIDMK party symbol tatooed on their forearm as proof of their loyalty!

 

[CHANDRU1849]

I feel health-wise this practice is not good. Doctors in this forum may enlighten how safe is tattoo culture.

 

[prasad1]

A failed BJP neta and his bunch of hangers-on, an Australian kid with a tattoo of a Hindu goddess on his shin — what a dangerous combination in these communally troubled times!
It’s exactly what happened on Bengaluru’s Residency Road on Saturday.21-year-old Matt and his companion, Emily, bore the brunt of Right-wing ‘hospitality’ when they headed to a popular South Indian restaurant on Residency Road for a meal on Saturday evening. Their mistake: Matt has a tattoo of Goddess Yellamma on his shin.
The BJP activists, who took photos and videos of the couple, allegedly demanded that Matt’s leg be skinned, because “this is India”. “They were taking pictures and videos of us and talking about us in English,” Emily told Deccan Chronicle.
“When I asked them to stop, they confronted us about Matt’s leg, saying he should be skinned.” The waiters in the restaurant allegedly stood by, talking and laughing with the politician and his supporters. When they left the restaurant a short while later, they found a group of around 25 people, including a cop, waiting outside for them. “The cop joined in with the politicians,” said Emily. “He said this India, have the tattoo removed.”
A Hoysala arrived soon after and Matt and Emily were taken to Ashoknagar police station, “for their own protection.”
The right-wing group arrived five minutes later and continued taking pictures of the couple, in the police station. "The cops at the station were being quite nice to us, but they didn't let us leave. They said we were being accused of intentionally spreading hatred," she explained. The complainant, Ramesh, told this reporter that they had simply asked Matt to wear jeans, saying, "He responded with profanity, which is why we called the police."
An eyewitness on Residency Road, (unnamed on request), painted a very different picture, saying, "We saw the couple surrounded by a large group of people, none of whom attempted to help them. The Hoysala van arrived soon after and they were taken away to the station. The politician, meanwhile, was delivering a speech about his love for his religion." The police officers, however, did tell DC that the couple could not be detained, being foreigners and "not having violated criminal law."
In the end, they were asked to file a letter of apology to the complainant, Ramesh, and instructed to "wear long pants and learn Kannada." After they left the station, Matt told this reporter that he no longer wanted to stay in Bengaluru. “I studied in a school in Kodaikanal and I love India, which is why we came back to visit. We have heard about the growing Hindu nationalism, but nothing justifies the way we were treated. I love Hinduism - I also have a Ganesha tattoo on my back. I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.”

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/1510...le/yellamma-tattoo-failed-bjp-neta-yells-riot

 

[prasad1]

Since religion is a very sensitive subject, and hyper sensitive in India as it is a multi religious country which has close link with politics, it is the responsibility of both Central and State Govts. to inform the foreigners, especially coming from free thinking Western Countries, who treat religion as a hobby, to be more cautious about religious matters in India.

Such incidents show how poor we are in forecasting such problems and avoiding it to happen.

At least now itself, the Govts. must wake up and avoid such unpleasant happenings.

I think this is a knee jerk reaction. Mobs can not be controlled by government. A government van not predict the mob reaction.
A manufactured mob reaction by a major party is dangerous precedent. A party or state organized mob is doubly dangerous.

 

[Janaki Jambunathan]

Mehandhi is accepted .but people have reservations about tatoos probably it is tribal!

 

[Brahmanyan]

Usually, even in foreign countries, tattoos are made on the chest/breast, arms or upper body parts to express affection. (Does any foreign fellow have the guts to tattoo his lover's name - forget image - on his shin? We need not go to Mohammad or Jesus; this was a fit case and the Bengaluru people handled it with good self-control, I would say. That fellow should have been warned that if he comes out exposing his love for Yellamma on his shin, he would be skinned!

"when in Rome do as the Romans do" goes an old saying. When we go to a foreign Country, It is only fair to respect the local sentiments and do things without offending the belief and culture of the people living there. We should appreciate that the Bangalore City Police have handled the situation tactfully without inviting trouble to any one.

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[prasad1]

"when in Rome do as the Romans do" goes an old saying. When we go to a foreign Country, It is only fair to respect the local sentiments and do things without offending the belief and culture of the people living there. We should appreciate that the Bangalore City Police have handled the situation tactfully without inviting trouble to any one.

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

Brahmanyanji,
You usually support Indian causes, irrespective of religions.
How come you never commented on Dadri Killings.
Are you a Hindutva supporter? as opposed to Supporter of India?