Tattoos in Asian culture can be considered very controversial. Hindu Trisha Chauhan got her first tattoo two years ago to remember a difficult year. Now she has six.
In 2013 Sheffield student Trisha, 21 got both of her wrists tattooed with the words hope and strength written in Sanskrit. She had been through a difficult year and decided to get the tattoos as a reminder of what she overcame.
Each of Trisha’s six tattoos has a meaning. “I don’t believe in scarring your body for a random reason.”
In the Hindu religion there is no written rule about tattoos, in fact they have been used in Hindu practices for thousands of years. But, Trisha said they are still considered controversial in Asian culture.
She said she's not shocked by the reactions of her friends parents. She said “When I visit other Asian families they are nice about them, but you know they would never let their children have one, it’s still a taboo in our culture."
Her parents have been supportive of her choices, they know she isn't getting them as a fashion choice. But her Dad and Grandma don't want her to have anymore.
“If I had a sleeve, which would be my dream tattoo, they would not be as accepting, it’s still a worry for them that my tattoos will stop me from getting a job.”
Trisha dedicated her second tattoo to her parents . She got their initials tattooed behind her ear to remind her that they are her voice of reason.
Each of Trisha’s six tattoos has a meaning. “I don’t believe in scarring your body for a random reason.”
In the Hindu religion there is no written rule about tattoos, in fact they have been used in Hindu practices for thousands of years. But, Trisha said they are still considered controversial in Asian culture.
She said she's not shocked by the reactions of her friends parents. She said “When I visit other Asian families they are nice about them, but you know they would never let their children have one, it’s still a taboo in our culture."
Her parents have been supportive of her choices, they know she isn't getting them as a fashion choice. But her Dad and Grandma don't want her to have anymore.
“If I had a sleeve, which would be my dream tattoo, they would not be as accepting, it’s still a worry for them that my tattoos will stop me from getting a job.”
Trisha dedicated her second tattoo to her parents . She got their initials tattooed behind her ear to remind her that they are her voice of reason.
"It's still a worry that my tattoos will stop me from getting a job."
She has a tattoo on her leg which she dedicated to her mother’s fight against epilepsy. Her mum suffers from seizures which can last for 24 hours. The next day her mum has no memory of having the seizures.
“I’d buy her lilies and leave them in her room, so when she woke up she would know what happened and that I was there for her.”
Another event which affected Trisha was the death of her grandma in 2013. After months of grieving she decided to get a verse of a song, written by her cousin for her grandma’s funeral tattooed on her leg.
The verse reminds her of having extra one on one time with her Grandma when she was in the hospital.
“I’d buy her lilies and leave them in her room, so when she woke up she would know what happened and that I was there for her.”
Another event which affected Trisha was the death of her grandma in 2013. After months of grieving she decided to get a verse of a song, written by her cousin for her grandma’s funeral tattooed on her leg.
The verse reminds her of having extra one on one time with her Grandma when she was in the hospital.
Trish has been interested in art she was a child. She was fascinated by the idea of having art on her own body which would link to a special memory. “But I didn’t realise just how addictive they are.”