Inked in history: Manjeet Singh’s impact on Indian tattoo culture

Tattoos are more than ink on skin—they are intimate narratives, living mementos, silent declarations.

- MURTAZA ALI KHAN

Each line etched into flesh carries with it a story—whether delicately hidden or proudly displayed. Tattoos serve as a powerful form of self-expression, allowing people to carry pieces of their past, present, and future quite literally on their bodies.

Across the world, tattoos have also served as vital markers of cultural identity. From the intricate Maori moko that tells a story of lineage, status, and personal achievement, to the Japanese irezumi that communicates themes of nature, mythology, and strength, tattoos have historically carried deep symbolic and communal significance.

Celebrated tattoo artist Manjeet Singh is better known in the tattoo world as Manjeet Tattooz, is highly regarded for his mastery in black-and-grey realism and hyper-detailed custom tattoos. His tattoos depicting Sikh iconography and intricate portraits are equally popular. Singh is a pioneer in India’s tattoo revolution who has played a pivotal role in elevating the craft from taboo to a legitimate art form.

Over the years, Singh has tattooed a long list of high-profile clients, including singer Mika Singh, actor Amit Tandon, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Indian men's hockey captain Manpreet Singh, and Punjabi artists such as Himanshi Khurana, Goldy (Desi Crew), Korala Maan, Gulab Sidhu, Byg Byrd, and Jordan Sandhu.