There’s a buzz in the air that’s hard to ignore. It’s the kind that smells faintly of ink, hums with the whir of machines, and invites the curious, the brave, and the creative. The Puncturewala Tattoo Festival is back in Pune for its seventh edition. On December 15, it’s taking over Swig Koregaon Park to remind us why tattoos are more than just body art. The Puncturewala Tattoo Festival is an ode to individuality, where each artist brings a distinct style. This year’s lineup is as eclectic as it gets, a mix of talent and technique that promises something for everyone.
With a background in storyboarding and digital painting, her designs are as much about storytelling as they are about precision. Lately, she’s been diving into India’s architectural and cultural heritage, creating tattoos that feel like heirlooms — intimate and timeless.
Pearl is new to tattooing but brings a decade of illustration experience to her craft. Her tiny graphic tattoos are deceptively simple. There’s a certain magic in her linework — clean, sharp, and thoughtful.
If tattoos could be futuristic sculptures, VooDoo would be the artist. His style bends the rules, blending gothic art with sci-fi elements and intricate patterns. There’s a raw energy to his work, a boldness that speaks to those unafraid to stand out.
Drj is the bridge between the ancient and the modern, his blackwork tattoos inspired by Indian sculptures and patterns. His designs are bold, deliberate, and rooted in history, yet they carry an undeniable sense of the now — tattoos that feel both familiar and revolutionary.
The Puncturewala Tattoo Festival takes its name from the iconic roadside tattoo stalls that have been a part of India’s cultural landscape for decades. These makeshift studios, often run by self-taught artists, are where many of us first encountered the magic of tattoos. This festival builds on that legacy, bringing together artists from across the country to celebrate tattooing as both a craft and a deeply personal art form.
Tattoos have a way of becoming a part of us, not just physically but emotionally. They mark moments, memorialize memories, and tell stories that words sometimes can’t. And the Puncturewala Tattoo Festival is a celebration of all that and more. Walk in with an open mind, leave with a piece of art — and maybe, a little more of yourself.
When? December 15, 2024
Where? Swig Koregaon Park, Pune
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