Agra: Laxmi Saa, an acid attack survivor and founder of Sheroes Hangout café who has become an inspiration to many others for her grit and fight-back attitude, is now encouraging others like her to consider the art of tattoo making as a career option. Laxmi believes that the indelible ink is a way to channel the indelible pain caused by such a tragedy.
Laxmi, who had earlier this year learnt the art of tattoo making, said, "When I first got a tattoo done on my hand, it made me realize what it feels like to touch one's skin. The tattoo needle hurts a little but it is a piece of art that remains with you until death. My tattoo is a sign of freedom because every person has the right to it."
Laxmi met Vikas Malani, founder of Body Canvas tattoos, and decided to help other acid attack survivors to consider it as a career option by imparting training through workshops. Other acid attack survivors like Madhu and Raquiyya also dream of setting up a tattoo studio in Agra city. “Sheroes café has become a family to me as it gave me the confidence to stand up in society, and now I am happy to know that someone is ready to teach us a new skill. I feel like choosing that option as well,” said an excited Raquiyya.
Madhu learned the art of tattoo making and feels that it is a calm and relaxed profession. “I have learnt how to make a bird. Tattoo making makes me feel relaxed and it also helps me build my confidence. When people are willing to teach us new things, we should jump at the opportunity as it keeps us busy and prevents us from revisiting our pain and suffering,” she said.
Laxmi is helping other acid attack survivors to undergo tattoo training and said that it is good to show other survivors that there’s nothing which one can’t do. “After my first tattoo, I tied up with Vikas to help other survivors learn the art and he readily agreed. We will organize workshops and training in other cities such as Lucknow and Udaipur in the coming months. Sheroes café will soon turn three and we feel proud that it is going a step ahead. I believe that there is no finish line to any venture.”
Vikas Malani, a tattoo artist, said that this project is one of a kind. “This venture is to open another career option for acid attack survivors. Though they can pick any career, I want to them to know that tattoo making is always open if one wants to opt for it and become a professional tattoo artist.”
“I got familiar with the tattoo equipment and also made my first tattoo already. Now, I can’t wait to start working in a tattoo studio,” Madhu said.
Today, acid-attack survivors know there are no bounds when it comes to honing skills, Laxmi said adding, “There is a skill gap as many survivors are low educational background. However, such survivors are today trying to do everything that they earlier thought they couldn’t do. This is also to create awareness that there are no avenues that they can't tread. Tattoo making is a career option as it is a profession which brings out something beautiful through pain.”
According to Human Rights Law network, at least 1,000 acid attack cases are reported in India every year. “There are many cases where women have lost the hope of living. Young girls are made to leave their schools and get a job which they are never proud of. Promoting tattoo making is another venture to get into as it is a thriving field. We have to break taboos in society about what career paths women should choose and learn to embrace new skills to grow,” Laxmi said.
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