“Previously, it used to be a small tattoo as people played it safe. Now, they want big tattoos. I’ve been doing a lot of black and grey washes, bringing out different shades of black, with water effects, images of mermaids, dragons, phoenix and even pagan symbols,” says Cowasji, 40. As an artist, he enjoys the new challenge to think big and ink big as well.

Apart from new washes and MJ tribute tattoo, there’s a hot demand for ‘Biomechanical’ tattoos, images of body parts drawn with a bizarre twist. So expect to see a lot of eyes and hearts painted on shoulders and bare torsos. While biomechanical art rides high on its morbid appeal among locals, foreign tourists, says Verma, usually ask for “elaborate wedding-style henna motifs and intricate Madhubani designs”.

Funky Monkey tattoo studio in Gurgaon says the god Shiva has become a hit. “We do about four tattoos every day of the week and approximately seven during weekends. Big pieces of Shiva are in demand and we have a steady stream of women who want their children’s names tattooed as well,” says Hardy Mitra, 40, who started the tattoo studio eight years ago and has new outlets planned in Delhi and Kolkata. Younger girls, who come accompanied by parents, seem to have fallen in love with mythical animals like the unicorn and want one on themselves. The more bizarre, the better!