Traditional tattooing is on the verge of extinction in India and my aim here is to preserve this primitive art form which has been an integral part of several tribes of our country”, said Museum Associate of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) Rashmi Shukla during a daylong workshop on Godna or tattooing on Friday at the museum.
Under the popular ‘Curatorial Talk’ popular series of IGRMS workshop was held on Friday and during the workshop providing details she said that Godna or tattoo is one of the earliest art forms applied by human kind as mode of body decoration. In this art people permanently mark their skin by pricking pigment with help of thorns or needles. Traditional tattoo motifs are made by using dots and lines. Tattoo indicates social status, belief, protection against evil spirit, disease etc.
Different tribes relate themselves to some or the other natural symbol like some trees, flowers, animals or birds and show respect for that symbol as well as adorn the symbol on their bodies as a protective omen. Tattoos are a powerful means of ornamentation among rural and tribal omen. It is practiced by most of the Indian tribal with different names. With gradual introduction of less expensive and convenient methods of beautification, tattoo which is a painful practice has lost its relevance, she added.
Shukla said that as the traditional tattooing is on the verge of extinction in India, her aim here is to preserve this primitive art form. So in this regard a painting workshop bases on the traditional Godana motifs was organized by IGRMS on June, 2013 with participation of 50 tattoo artists from different parts of country. This presentation in based on the information collected during the workshop.