CHENNAI: Shan T has lost count of the number of tattoos he has. The 26-year-old tattoo designer and DJ has to scrutinise himself for a good four minutes before he has a number, “I have nine tattoos,” he finally announces. “But after I got my first tattoo on my neck eight years ago, I wondered what it meant to me. And I realised that it didn’t really represent me in any way.” And this is the mistake that he won’t allow his clients to make at his less-than-a-week old tattoo studio, Tantra – The Art Factory, which was inaugurated by singer and actor SPB Charan. “A tattoo is the one thing that goes with you to the grave, so you have to make it count each time,” he says. Shan says, what makes Tantra unique is the studio’s conviction about making tattoos that truly represent the clients. “We have many tattoo places in Chennai, but there, people mostly get random tattoos. The focus is not on educating people about tattoos and what they really mean,” explains Shan, promising that each tattoo that comes from Tantra will truly be representative of the client’s character and persona. “We first speak with the clients, understand their background and help them come up with their own designs. Even if they just want to get a regular tribal pattern, we make sure that somewhere in that, there is a secret message about their life hidden,” Shan says. Apart from three certified and experienced tattoo artists, Tantra also has qualified doctors for tattoo removals. Laser treatment is the most popular, but not the only method, for tattoo removal, Shan says. “Apart from skin drafting, we also have removal creams that can fade the tattoos.” Along with the promise of quality with the usage of disposable needles, bio extract ink and top-notch safety measures. Shan guarantees that the excessive pain associated with tattoos is a myth. “It’s just a tickling pain with a mild sting,” he laughs, adding that he’s had more girl clients than men, “If women can take waxing and threading, a tattoo is nothing!”Tantra is located in Besant Nagar, opposite the beach (next to Pupil restaurant). The tattoos (including colour) cost `1,200 onwards per square inch and come with a lifetime guarantee. “The price is subject to change and entirely depends on the size and design,” Shan clarifies.
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