My Tattoo No. 4

Okay now don’t ask me about the previous three. The fact that I have never mentioned them before on my blog should be a good indication that I won’t be doing so now. At least not for the time being.

But then why talk about No. 4?

The answer to this question is quite simple: To me No. 4 is special. Very special. It represents me. More like, it signifies the real me from within, the only difference being now I wear it on my sleeve. Sorry cross that. My ankle.

Like many other decisions of my life, this one too was taken on an impulse. Yup, pretty much like woke up one morning and the voice from deep down pronounced "It’s time for another". And imprinting a crawling Black Panther on my ankle was my choice from the very beginning. Yes, there were slight deviations – a fantastic tribal frog and the artistic wolf but the voice (from within) was hell-bent on the Panther.

For those wondering, a crawling Panther tattoo stands for the following:

Panthers are associated with superior courage, strength, and fighting ability. It also represents freedom from domination and regulations. It is also a reminder that life is fragile and at any point can be taken away just as quickly as a panther moves – our lives are valuable.

A little history trivia:

Originating in 1934 in a children’s book called Minute Myths and Legends: Dramatic Moments in the Affairs of the Gods, Arch-Demons, Goddesses, Demi-Gods and Heroes of This and Other Worlds, the original panther illustration was adapted into the familiar form of today from this book by tattoo artist Amund Dietzel. [Source]

So yeah, with much much positivity around, I got my tattoo No. 4 inked on my skin.

The man to do the do: Sameer Patange, a good friend who also happens to be one of the best tattoo artists in the country today. And talking about tattoos, here’s a Bollywood Trivia for you.

Who is responsible for the brilliant "Kareena" tattoo on (sexy) actor Saif Ali Khan’s left arm? Yes, it’s Sameer da man.

It is said that every tattoo is done with a purpose (and this includes those done during drunken excursions) – at times, an extension and sometimes, a revelation of one’s self. I chose to look at mine as a new beginning. A new take on life as the real me minus all the expected norms.