With 45 booths, renowned international artists and various art styles to choose from, India's first international tattoo convention is a must-attend for every tattoo freak

For the first time in India, music and tattoos will share a common platform on a large scale. Tattoo Republic is India's first international tattoo convention, which will be held during the three-day multi-genre music festival, Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2011.


John Lennon portrait by Darrin White

Organised by celebrity tattoo artist Sameer Patange of InkMyDink and event organisers, Only Much Louder (OML), it will be the first tattoo convention by an artist. With 45 booths, renowned international artists and various art styles to choose from, this is the perfect destination to connect and network with tattoo artists.


Jimi Hendrix portrait by Larry Brogan

International artists
The festival is not just for experts but amateurs and tattoo freaks as well. Among the many international artists who have been roped in for the festival, Spanish tattoo artist Sala specialises in Body Modification (think Swarovski tattoos embedded in your skin) and Khan from Japan is known for his extremely realistic tattoos (usually portraits). While Darrin White (USA) specialises in dark, horror, 'Painterly Style' of tattoos, Larry Brogan (USA) is an award-winning tattoo artist, who is revered for his impressive career path in the tattoo industry.
The convention will also see some of the best names in the Indian tattoo industry such as Lokesh (Devil'z Tattooz) from New Delhi, Vicky Malani (Body Canvas Tattoos and Piercings) from Mumbai, Pradeep Menon (Dark Arts Tattoo Studio) from Bangalore, Funky Monkey from Mumbai and Kevin Andrade (Shoryuken Tattoo) from Mumbai.u00a0


Sameer Patange
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Music weds tattoos
Sameer Patange, the creative brain behind the convention, was part of the metal band D-flesh in the year 2001-2002. He feels that there is a strong connection between tattoos and musicans. "Every musician's tattoo has a story to tell. My first tattoo was influenced by Brazil heavy metal band Sepultura. The frontman has this huge tattoo of the letter 'S' on his bicep, which I created on my bicep too. Music plays a huge influence in tatoos. I believe it's an artist's love for music that is expressed through his tattoos," shares Sameer.
Sameer has done tattoos for many musicians including Vishal Dadlani, and bands like Bhayanak Maut and Bombay Bassment.

On November 19 and 20
Time 12 pm to 10 pm
Log on to www.tattoorepublic.in
Call 9820342044 / 9619238370