India: Bollywood Stars Popularize Henna-Inspired Permanent Tattoos

Mumbai’s tattoo scene is booming thanks to Bollywood celebrities opting for henna-inspired permanent tattoos. Unlike traditional henna, these designs are inked permanently in bold black or deep red.
Actresses have been spotted on red carpets flaunting mandalas, paisley flowers, and sacred scripts on their arms and backs. Tattoo parlors say bookings for these designs have tripled, especially among young women. Cultural purists, however, are debating whether sacred henna motifs should be made permanent.