Actor Nikitin Dheer recently found himself at the centre of a controversy surrounding his new tattoo, which features a design deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. The tattoo, etched on his thigh, showcases a Rudra veena — traditionally associated with Lord Shiva and, in some instances, with Ravana. Surrounding the veena are the Sanskrit words Eko Aham Dvitiyo Nasti, translating to “I am One, there is no second,” a phrase emblematic of Ravana’s belief in his unparalleled greatness and devotion to Shiva. 

However, the tattoo sparked criticism online, with some users mistakenly identifying the veena as the Raghunatha veena, which is linked to Goddess Saraswati. A user commented, “Bhai yeh Saraswati Veena hein ise leg pe nhi banwana tha”, while another wrote, “Wrong place of body”.

Unfazed by the criticism, Dheer says, “People who understood Ravana praised the tattoo. Those with a narrow perspective, who haven’t delved into our history, mythology, etc. have a tiny, limited vision. Yeh mandbuddhi logon ne kuch read hi nahin kiya hota, unhe kuch kaise pata hoga.”

Dheer, known for his portrayal of Ravana in the TV show Shrimad Ramayan, also dismisses the notion that a religious tattoo cannot be placed on certain body parts as “juvenile”.

“I got a Mahadev tattoo on my arm, and people said, ‘ki yahan par nahi banvaana chahiye’. We are taught that our body is a temple; so no body part is impure,” he ends.