"I want to explore my creativity in every way possible!"
Tattoos have been around for centuries. From Ancient Egyptians to Native Americans, tattoos have held significance in a lot of cultures around the world.
Tattoos are seen as a form of self-expression, allowing people to showcase their individuality, express personal beliefs, and for artistic appeal.
As tattoo culture evolves in South Asia and the diaspora, a new generation of artists is beautifully merging traditional motifs with contemporary designs.
These artists aren’t just creating body art; they are challenging cultural taboos and reclaiming ancient practices of body modification that have existed in South Asian cultures for years.
From mandala-inspired geometrics to modern interpretations of mehndi patterns, these artists are crafting a unique visual language that speaks to both their heritage and modern sensibilities.
DESIblitz provides you with some extremely talented Desi tattoo artists you should follow on Instagram.
Tahsena Alam (@tahsenaalam)
Tahsena Alam is a South Asian artist based in London who specialises in fineline, floral and ornamental.
Tahsena makes tattoos of all sizes and many different styles that all originate from Asia.
Her work is a true reflection of South Asian heritage. She tattoos ornaments, henna style, and calligraphy and is happy to tattoo all Asian languages.
She states in one of her posts: “I am always inspired from my South Asian heritage, our garments, furnishings and decor.
“I love creating designs that are based on adornments and sari designs, designs for badass warrior women and all gender identities.
“When I was younger, l used to be shy about my South Asian style and hid it from my friends, even though I loved dressing in my elaborate outfits and I miss it!
“Learning more and more about how our ancestors fought for our freedom makes me want to dig further into my roots.
“Today, the way we dress in Asia is my biggest inspiration for my tattoo designs, which I feel came out in this project.”
She is eager to take on more projects for any body part, race, gender, body type or personality.
Nikki Kotecha (@nikkitattoox)
Nikki Kotecha is another ornamental tattoo artist based in Apsley, Hertfordshire and North West London.
She specialises in mehndi, mandalas and fineline, with her most popular designs being inspired by henna.
Nikki has also tattooed some big pieces, a particularly interesting one being a Ganesh back piece.
In a conversation with @continuous_portait_project on Instagram, Nikki told Cameron Rennie that after leaving university a year in to pursue the craft of tattooing, her family stopped talking to her, due to the stigma attached to tattooing, instead of the potential career she had in front of her.
This stigma seems to be even more powerful in more traditional families; however, Nikki’s work is a reflection of the culture she came from, where she focuses on mehndi pattern work.
Heleena Theodore (@heleenatheodore)
Heleena is an Indian, Gujarati artist based in Leicester in the UK who loves all things South Asian art, Mughal/Indian miniatures and erotica.
Heleena explained in a post about changing her Instagram handle from @heleenatattoos to @heleenatheodore:
“I’m stepping away from the tattoo artist label because I feel I’m so much more than that, a painter, an illustrator, designer?
“Maybe one day a potter? I want to explore my creativity in every way possible!”
“No, I’m not quitting tattooing, in fact, I’m so excited to come back in the new year and hopefully better than before!”
Heleena has created an amazing brand, with products ranging from a hand-painted 2025 calendar to wallpaper, art prints and t-shirts.
Kinati (@kinatitattoos)
Kinati is an artist based in London but also travels around the world to places such as Lahore, Paris and Toronto.
Their work revolves around the mysticism of the Kashmir Valley and the subcontinent, from linguistics, affirmations, mantras, and philosophies to folklore.
Kinati explains his passion for tattooing: “Throughout my life, growing up in Lahore, Kuala Lumpur and the UK, all I’ve seen is people focusing on the things that make us different.
“Being Kashmiri & having a family that stretches through the subcontinental diaspora from Sikh/Sufi Punjabis to Lodhi Pathans & Hamadan/Samarkandis, I was privileged to grow up in a multitude of faiths and spiritual paths & philosophies of life.
“I aim to draw on the collective consciousness that exists within the diaspora and hopefully, it reflects with you all through the wonders of our arts.”
Sabreena Haque (@ritualbydesign)
Sabreena Haque is a mehndi artist and tattoo artist based in NY, Chicago and more.
Raised in a traditional South Asian Pakistani Muslim household, Sabreena believes that henna and traditional ink are a way of setting intentions, honouring culture and celebrating your body as a canvas.
“This is an opportunity for people to set intentions while they receive their henna.”
Sabreena discusses how she loves freehand tattoos: “Freehand add-ons are my favourite because it feels similar to doing henna art.
“I ask my client some questions about what they like and we just move.
“I am able to work with the shape of the body and we make adjustments as we go, creating a unique one-of-a-kind design.”
Tash Deshmukh (@tashdeshmukhtattoos)
Tash Deshmukh is a Desi tattoo artist based in London, who tattoos Indian-inspired designs.
The tattoo shop ‘Delilah’s Dagger’ hosted a South Asian event in 2023 in celebration of South Asian Heritage Month.
The exclusive event was a Desi cultural mashup featuring UK-based South Asian artists, including Heleena Theodore.
Guests could book to get a tattoo from a Desi artist or to get traditional mehndi.
Tash said on her Instagram: “To see a room full of people of/celebrating South Asian heritage within the creative industry was so special.”
Mimi Godna (@mimi.godna)
Mimi Godna is an artist based in Birmingham who has a unique ‘sketchy’ tattoo style.
She offers a variety of different flashes, a particular one being inspired by embroidery and textiles she encountered while travelling around Indonesia.
Mimi also has a lot of designs inspired by Desi women, including portraits of women with bindis, sarees and dancing.
Furthermore, if a customer wants a custom tattoo, Mimi is happy to do a design based on their wishes.
Iman Sara (@inkbyimansara)
Iman Sara is a London-based tattoo artist who has a traditional miniature painter style.
Iman has an extensive tattoo flash collection inspired by Mughal artworks.
She is based in London; however, she travels to Lahore once a year.
Her artistic style is not limited to Mughal. Iman has tattooed entire henna sleeves, floral designs and beautiful patterns.
If a customer requests a flash that has been done before, she can make changes to ensure that the tattoo is completely original.
The rise of these South Asian tattoo artists marks more than just a trend – it represents a powerful reclamation of body art in the diaspora and on the subcontinent.
Through their distinctive styles, they’re creating beautiful pieces and opening conversations about identity, tradition, and self-expression in Desi communities.
Whether you’re considering your first tattoo or adding to your collection, these artists prove that cultural heritage and modern artistry can coexist beautifully on the skin.
As the tattoo industry evolves, these incredible artists are ensuring that South Asian perspectives and aesthetics take their rightful place in the global tattoo landscape.
Give them a follow – your Instagram feed (and maybe your skin) will thank you for it.