Oraon Tribal Tattoo Artist | Founder of Inkhead Tattoo Kolkata
I have been drawing since childhood. My Maa and Baba were the first to notice my love for art. They saw my small hands always sketching, always shaping something new on paper. It was they who introduced me to my first teacher — Krishnakoli Bhunia, whom I fondly call Krishnakoli Aunty.
She was more than a teacher. She became my first guru, patiently nurturing my raw lines and helping me discover purpose through art. Under her mentorship, I entered the Indian Society of Oriental Art, an institute rooted in the legacy of Abanindranath Tagore. There, I trained in both Western techniques like figure drawing, anatomy, and realism, and in traditional Indian aesthetics, where every line and shadow holds deep cultural meaning.
In 2019, I completed my B.Com graduation from Andrews College. While academics gave me structure, it was always art that gave me life. My journey was never about choosing art — it was about returning to it, again and again.
The Guidance of Jahar Sir
Another guiding light in my journey has been Jahar Sir, one of the most respected painters in Bengal. His works have been exhibited widely and even recognized by ministers and Prime Ministers of India.
Under his guidance, I began to see art differently. He taught me that painting is not just technique but philosophy — a way of observing, questioning, and expressing truth. Sitting beside him, I learned that an artist’s duty is not only to create but also to carry forward culture and awareness.
Both Krishnakoli Aunty and Jahar Sir shaped my foundation — one gave me the patience to begin, the other gave me the vision to go deeper. Their combined teachings are the roots that ground me even today.
My Path to Tattooing
From those roots, my journey slowly shifted — From paper to canvas, From canvas to walls, And finally, from walls to skin.
I worked across multiple tattoo studios in Kolkata, facing challenges and sharpening my technique. But my true transformation happened at Dark Matter Tattoos, under the mentorship of Patrick Da.
Patrick didn’t just train me in machines and needles. He taught me how to listen to the skin, connect with a client’s soul, and translate emotions into ink. That is where my art found its true purpose — not just as pictures, but as living, breathing stories carried on skin.
Who I Am Today
Today, I carry many identities:
A tribal tattoo artist in Kolkata keeping my Oraon heritage alive
A painter rooted in Indian aesthetics
A muralist giving voice to city walls
A biker and wanderer chasing stories across landscapes
A digital creator spreading tribal art awareness
But no matter what I hold — a brush, tattoo machine, pen, or camera — I always carry the same root.
My Art and My Promise
My art is not a trend. It is a memory. It is a rebellion against forgetting. It is tribal. And it is mine.
Through Inkhead Tattoo Kolkata, my mission is simple: 👉 To create tattoos that are meaningful, soulful, and rooted in heritage.
If you are searching for a custom tattoo artist in Kolkata or want to explore the depth of tribal tattoos with cultural significance, I would be honored to share my journey with you.
📍 Inkhead Tattoo Kolkata 📞 Call/WhatsApp: +91 8013608648 🌐 inkheadtattoocalcutta.com (insert your real website link)
— Raja Tirki Oraon Tribal Tattoo Artist | Founder, Inkhead Tattoo Kolkata