Tattooing is an integral part of their
lifestyle is the Baiga tribe.The body of a Baiga women is extensively tattooed.
There is a specific
tattoo for every part and the tattooing is done by people of Badi-Badanin
community.Their principal dance forms are Baigani, Karma, Saila, Bilama,
Parghauni, Fag, Jharpat, Gendi etc.
Tattooing amongst Baigas
The art of tattooing is extensively prevalent amongst the
Baigas.It is one of the many tribes in
which the women’s body is almost completely tattooed .There are lot of myths
and folklores on the origin of tattoos.The female of the Badi tribe(Badnin)
does the tattooing for the Baiga women (Baigin) One such folklore narrates the
story of creation of the ‘ Badi
and Badnin’. Lord Indra the lord of universe was furious with other Gods and
refused to send rain to earth. The earth was getting parched quickly, and would
face a huge famine soon. Lord Shiva and Parvati got very concerned and
requested Naga Baiga and Naga Baigin to persuade Lord Indra to shower rain on
earth. The female Baigin did not possess any ornaments ,she needed to look her
very best to meet the Lord.Hence Lord Shiva and Parvati created the Badi and
Badnin .The Badnin were given the task of
decorating the body to the Baigin with tattoos.
The Baigas believe that the pain the Baigin(woman ) endures
during tattooing prepares her for labour
pain during child birth, that the tattoo is their identity mark(Different
tribes have their specific tattooing patterns).Tattoos are only ornaments that
will go with them to heaven when they die.The tattoo patterns usually signify fire, crops, grains, peacocks(amba), pair of hens, chariot, flowers, trees , eyes etc.
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| Tattoo patterns rear portion of body |
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| Tattoo patterns for Baiga women(full body) |
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| Shantibai and Mangalabai with the tattoo paintings. |
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| Tattoo patterns for upper half, Motifs used are bee hive motif, bulls eyes, Jhela(jewelry piece) |
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| Tattoo patterns upper back. |
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| Tattoo patterns back of legs |
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| Tattoo patterns front legs |
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| Tattoo patterns Arms |
Artist Shantibai
Shantibai of Lalpur,
is an accomplished tattooist, and belongs to a sub sect of the Baiga tribe
‘Badi’.The Baigas are known for their traditional body decoration.The women
tattooist are called “Badnin”.Shantibai is a Badnin and has inherited this art
from her forefathers. She draws inspiration from religious motifs and
mythological stories prevalent amongst Gonds and Baigas.Her daughters Mangala ,
Jamni and mEena bai are taking this
dying art forward.
verse was furious with other Gods and
refused to send rain to earth. The earth was getting parched quickly, and would
face a huge famine soon. Lord Shiva and Parvati got very concerned and
requested Naga Baiga and Naga Baigin to persuade Lord Indra to shower rain on
earth. The female Baigin did not possess any ornaments ,she needed to look her
very best to meet the Lord.Hence Lord Shiva and Parvati created the Badi and
Badnin .The Badnin were given the task of
decorating the body to the Baigin with tattoos.
The Baigas believe that the pain the Baigin(woman ) endures
during tattooing prepares her for labour
pain during child birth, that the tattoo is their identity mark(Different
tribes have their specific tattooing patterns).Tattoos are only ornaments that
will go with them to heaven when they die.
The tattoo patterns usually signify fire, crops, grains,
peacocks(amba), pair of hens, chariot, flowers, trees , eyes etc.Motifs signifying jewelry are also used.
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| Needles used for tatoos |
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| Needles used for tatoos |
Video on how tattooing is actually done
The
Godna the art of tattooing is dwindling.as compared to the urban youth who are
crazed by getting themselves inked with modern tattoo guns.There are lesser
number of women wanting to pursue this profession as there are no takers for
the tattoos. Earlier it was common to see a girl of six to seven years having a
tattoo on her forehead.Life in the villages
experience gradual changes but technology has started creeping in their lives
too. Advance in technology and access to education has its effects too. Girls
and boys going to schools are now not interested in getting tattoos. Tattooed girls
who make it to college, are often sneered at.
About
10 years ago when she was visiting the local fairs for tattooing some tourists
suggested her that she should experiment using the art form on textile and
paper.It was from then she started her crusade to preserve her tradition and
also to learn stable livelihood .
