‘Youth should follow their passion’
ABRAR MATTOO
SRINAGAR, Feb 27: Mubashir Bashir, also known as Mubi, is a renowned tattoo artist based in Srinagar. According to Mubi, he is the fastest 3D tattoo artist in the world and holds a record in the Harvard World of Records. His talents have also earned him a spot in the India Book of Records.
Mubi’s passion for art began with painting and sketching. “I am self-taught, and my first attraction was painting and sketching,” he said. He later pursued his interest in tattooing and enrolled in an 8-month course at the Aliens Tattoo Art School in Mumbai. Mubi is now a certified teacher who teaches tattoo art to young people through a 3-2 months course, which includes both basic and advanced skills.
Mubi has been in the tattoo business for five years now and is the owner of the first tattoo studio in the Kashmir Valley. His studio, ‘Mubis Tattoo Studio,’ is located in Bemina Khoemini Chowk Srinagar. “I take it as both passion and business. Passion should be accompanied by money; otherwise, it’s a waste,” he explains.
Mubi has received overwhelming responses from his clients and is known for his hygienic and professional approach to tattooing. He takes pride in the fact that his clients trust him with their bodies. “Getting a tattoo, anywhere on the body, is a significant decision. But in the hands of Mubashir or Mubi, as he loves to be called, you are safe,” the clients say.
Mubi’s designs are a rage among the local youth as well as visiting tourists. He has a loyal clientele, and his Instagram page is a testament to his stunning tattoos. He is famous on social media, and his chic and distinct designs speak for themselves. His tattoo work is so mesmerizing that clients are known to have travelled from across many Indian states to get themselves inked by the ace master himself.
Mubi’s talent and skills are not limited to tattooing alone. He has also learned piercing, realistic tattoo art, 3D, and watercolours. He is currently working on a sound tattoo, which will allow clients to hear a particular sound when scanned. He also offers temporary tattoos for those who do not wish to get permanently inked.
Mubi has a unique approach to tattooing, which includes the correction of vitiligo patches. He is the first to offer this treatment and has helped many people who previously struggled with embarrassment and even marriage due to their condition. “We have people who say that they wasted a ton of money on medicines and everything, but it never made it work, and our vitiligo treatment is one time. It stays forever,” he shared while speaking with the Kashmir Despatch.
Despite the criticism and misunderstanding around tattooing, Mubi believes that drawing tattoos is not Haram. “I don’t think drawing tattoos is wrong according to our religion. It’s Makruuh, not Haram,” he said. Mubi also pointed out that he has clients who come from outside the Kashmir valley to get their tattoos done by him.
Mubi’s journey from a B.Com student with odd jobs to a renowned tattoo artist and business owner is inspiring. Talking to Kashmir Despatch, he extended a message to the youth to follow their passion and not to abide by traditional conventions. As Mubi said, “Don’t listen to the traditional things or abide by traditional conventions, follow your passions.”
