They say that writing is a mirror of a person’s mind. Good handwriting is highly valued by modern psychology and handwriting analysts because it is directly related to personality and its dynamics. A lot of credit for good handwriting goes to a good pen, as well as the quality and colour of the ink. We insist on purchasing high-quality ink with lustre and a long shelf life. In today’s world, it’s simple to find the ink of your choice under a preferred brand.
What if I challenge you to make your ink from scratch without the use of any industrial tools or assistance? Wouldn’t that sound impossible?
What if I told you that people in some parts of the world still make their own ink and use it, and that this lasts longer than the ink we buy from the store?
What if I told you that people still use old-school methods to make ink, and it has the same lustre and a much longer lifespan, not on paper, but on your skin?
What if I told you that tribal people make tattoo ink from their own hands and use it to tattoo others and themselves as a ritual and part of their lifestyle?
Tattoo making is mythologically respectful deference towards GODs and taking Lord Shiva’s command to spread knowledge about godana Art of tattoo in the common man in some tribes in Central India. Some tribes have dedicated themselves to this command and have not changed or replaced their traditional method of tattooing, known as Godana.
The methods for creating tattoo ink from scratch vary considerably from tribe to tribe. No two tribes make ink in the same way or with the same ingredients. They draw inspiration from nature and make use of natural resources. Nature is a great teacher and teaches patience. Tribal people do not interrupt the discourse while taking the best of nature with patience and harmony.
BAIGA godana ink banane ke liye wo pahale kale til (black sesame seed )ke beej ka istemal karte hai or jise wo soot bana kar usme ramtila oil or shal gum ( ek pedh ki chhal se nikla chipchipa gond) ko achche se mix kar ke uska paste bana lete hai or tattoo ke size ke anusar usme pani mix karte rahate hai godana artist ko pata hota hai ki pani ki matra ink me kitani honi chahiye warna ink ke halke colour hone ki sambhavana bhi hoti hai ,
kuch adivasi tribe jaise ojha tribe Chhattisgarh me godana karte hai wo ink banane ke liye mitti ke bartan ko kerosene oil ( mitti ka tel ) se Bhara bottle ke cap me hole karke rassi ki tukade ko bahar nikal kar jala Diya jata hai or matti ke bartan ko dhak dete hai uske upar jisse ki wo kala hojata hai fir us kale hale huwe ki bartan me se kharoch kar ikhatta kar lete hai or usme tel dal kar mix kar liya jata hai ,jyadatar Indian tribal communities me godana ke liye ink banane ka tarika lagbhag ek saman hi rahata hai bas thode bahot hi badalav dekhe gaye hain .
Making ink from scratch with all natural resources and using it to permanently imprint tattoos on skin sounds mystical and intriguing. Nature provides us with so much and never disappoints. It is our responsibility to preserve these dying crafts and the art of making ink.
Making ink in nature and learning about the process while speaking with tribal people in Chhattisgarh was a life-changing experience for me. They respect nature and take only what is necessary. Despite this, they appeared to be content and happy. I stayed with them for nearly 15 days and never felt the need to return to materialistic pursuits. Their survival skills in the harsh conditions of their natural habitat were once again in sync. Seeing how they decorated their homes, exteriors, and lives with only natural ink and colours was a surreal learning experience for me. They live in close proximity to nature, and embrace its changing moods, but never challenge it. Their hand-drawn drawings and designs, which are deeply influenced by flora and fauna, exemplify their admiration and respect for nature.
Coming back home, It was an engrossing as well as enlightening experience for me when I was using this method to make ink for my tattoo. I tried using natural ingredients and making ink with natural ingredients myself, and I must say that I was so happy and at peace throughout the process. Never once has nature failed to provide for me when I went out and asked for something. It was a fascinating experience for me. That ink was genuinely used to make a tattoo by me.
I was so involved in this process, from picking up raw materials like leaves as a base, black sesame seeds as a property to make ink, to using my hands as a shovel or spoon to mix the water drop by drop so that the recommended dosage was not exceeded. While going through the process, there was a sense of ownership, a sense of gratitude for nature to provide for us, and a feeling of guilt for not respecting nature, encroaching on the boundaries, and not giving it time to replenish and flourish in its own discourse.
We can’t be oblivious towards nature.
Respect nature and embrace its unique attribute of selflessness
I try to live in harmony with nature.
What is your backstory?
Do share with me.
Till then..
Stay Grounded
Grow higher
Stay Grounded like a tree and let dead leaves drop.
Amit Arjel
https://instagram.com/bluebloodtreetattoo?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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