Surguja (Chhattisgarh): The tattoo art of Surguja is now getting recognition in foreign countries. Soon, various items made of tattoo art in Surguja will be available online for and thousands of women will get employment from their home itself. Under the Integrated Design Development Scheme of the Ministry of Textiles, Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board is providing training to women from Surguja to improve the scope of the art.
Tattoo art on clothes
Earlier tattooing on sarees and dresses was done in limited quantities. Tattoo art was also used on clothing including household items. However, this arts was disappearing as a handicraft model. Now an initiative is being taken to preserve this art.
Chhattisgarh is a tribal-dominated State. The art of making tattoos is more common among the tribes in Surguja and Bastar region. By the way, the practice of tattooing is prevalent in almost all castes in Hinduism. This practice is related to religious, cultural, social, scientific and historical facts.
Tattooing is done by piercing needles in the body
Tattooing literally means to pierce. Pierced artwork which is permanently engraved on any part of human body is commonly known as called tattooing. Colours obtained from herbs are used for tattooing. Today's modern tattoo art is the new evolved form of traditional art of making tattoos.
'Tattooing', a form of adornment
In the past, people used to get tattooed in different parts of the body as a symbol of adornment. Women and men used to adorn themselves with jewellery as well as tattooing. Gradually, this hobby received religious affiliations. There was a time when a newly married women got tattooed in the house of their husbands. If this was not done, she was barred from entering the room of the family deity. Even people did not drink water from the daughter-in-law's hand that did not bear a tattoo. However, doctors say that there are many side effects of tattooing on the body. There are risks of infection including many diseases. So doctors recommend taking precautions.
Special training to women
Following a 10-day-long training provided by Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board, there will be a direct market test for the artwork prepared by the tattoo artists of Surguja. Preparations are being made to make tattoo art available on the e-commerce websites to enhance its reach within the country and abroad. This will give the due recognition to the art of tattooing while making women of Surguja self-sufficient as well.
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