Would I give up all the happiness that love has brought me if I was assured a life free of sadness? It's a question that I ask myself every time I open my heart to the wrong person. Should I hold Person X's bad behaviour against Person Y? The answer has always led me down the same path--to love till my heart dies. There is no trauma in this world that will make me harden my heart and believe that giving love, empathy (and cake) needs a return in investment. Or is there?

Tune in to hear the story behind my third tattoo, and insights from my artist on inking from the heart. 

This is for you--who has felt the pressure to agree when you don't want to, who has changed their choice in food, clothes and music to fit in, who has hidden anger, jealousy, greed and lust simply because you have to be perfect, not human. 

Drawing on the eternal words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, this tattoo is a homage to the idea that love can very much be for love's sake alone. You don't have to be perfect in order to experience love. 

Born from the experience of oppression, The Twirly Dragon Tattoo is a reminder that freedom can't be taken for granted. Even in free flight, one eye remains cautiously open, ready to break a bond (or a bone) when faced with threat. Her strength lies in self-respect; and her beauty in the delicacy of the wings. 

Tune in to hear what brought this tattoo to life in ink!----more----

Sound Mix & Production Inputs: Nitin Rawat