#theFridayFeature — Pratiksha Dhamale
“There is always a way out.”
- Pratiksha Dhamale
How often do we appreciate and acknowledge the tiniest of moments that are unknowingly so crucial to our lives? So integral, that over time we begin taking these for granted. For instance, a childhood worth remembering. To many, it may not be so but for those I’m sure there might be something else to cherish. When life pulls us down, in times when things don’t sway our way we seldom protest, and in those precise moments we forget all the lovely memories that life has bestowed upon us. I’ve seen people with faith in the power above reminisce God only in times of trouble and not when luck flows on their side. We pray but don’t praise, we cry but don’t comprehend and we complain and never compliment. And then some story sticks in our minds such, that it forces us to retrospect and introspect making us extend gratitude towards everything we’ve been so lucky to experience, encounter and endeavour. A story that marks realization on various grounds stirring within us respect for what we have received. This story, is prominently one of those…
‘Pratiksha’ — a name that loosely translates to ‘patience’ is what she truly stands for. If the word had a symbol, this girl would be the epitome. I believe she conquered sustenance when she accurately figured where she would let out everything she had suffered. The cover image on one of her social media pages simply yet meaningfully reads
‘I’ve learnt so much from my mistakes…
I’m thinking of making a few more.’
Pratiksha is —
- Tattoo Artist @ 7 Tattoos Studio
- Certified Yoga Teacher from The
Quality Council Of India (Level 2) - Survivor
Reflecting back on her childhood, Pratiksha says,
“I’ve had a dark childhood. As a kid, I’ve seen nothing
more and nothing less than fights… My parents fought
almost everyday since the day they got married. I guess
it took a toll on my mind… All the screams and shrieks.”
I met Pratiksha during her working hours at the 7 Tattoos Studio in Kothrud. As I walked in, I was amazed looking at the equipement imagining the hard work that went into designing the simplest of art that we so easily flaunt shamelessly grabbing the credit for ourselves. It’s a profession that not many think of voyaging into. How Pratiksha ended up where she is today is another story in its own right.
“What you seek
is seeking you.”
- Rumi
An artist since childhood, post discovering that engineering is not something that is meant for her, one fine day as she sat waiting for her friend to craft a tattoo, she decided that this is what she would wish to pursue. An arena that she had no clue of earlier, she found her passion through sheer serendipity; another example of what my mentor says, the way finds you and not the other way round.
“I believe that my profession is far better
than a regular 9–5 job as I get to interact with various people.
Additionally, it marks as a chance to
constantly learn and evolve.”
- Pratiksha Dhamale
I always wonder on the obsession of Indian parents with Engineering… Have we truly forgotten the art of risking it all for one dream that no one but we can envision? Are we so accustomed in soliciting the secure, the mundane and the routine? Are we so addicted to being safe?
Think about it.
Ever wondered why diamond differentiates itself from the other minerals? Simply because it can withstand amounted pressures that no other mineral can. Post the raw stone that enters the factory, a diamond is precisely cut, carved and crafted into something that is a million times enhanced, enriched and elevated. Nature makes an attempt to teach us a lot, only those who care to notice truly understand.
Pratiksha led a surreal, sensitive childhood. Her college life wasn’t so different either.
“Coming from an English medium background, I
never found talking to boys a very big deal. But
they never saw it that way which caused many
problems. The experience taught me a lot. I learnt
that the human relationships are rather complex
and fragile.”
- Pratiksha Dhamale
I believe that a person’s scars are those that he/she should proudly showcase and refrain from hiding them behind the cloth. A great person once said that your mistakes make you; and what doesn’t kill you either makes you stronger or stranger. Pratiksha too succumbed to the exaggerated pressures in her life trying to end her existence once. She survived for the good. Wear it on your sleeve girl, don’t know ‘bout the rest but I’m truly proud of you.
One striking quality about her is despite being an overthinker, she does an amazing job in communicating and clearing the clutter in her head.
Thank You Pratiksha for being an immense inspiration to me and many others. Hope the dreams that you are working towards are achieved shortly in the near future!
“Tumhaare paas jo hai,
tumhaare hisaab se kam
hai… Lekin kisi aur ki
nazar se dekho… To
tumhaare paas bohot
kuch hai…”
- Kal Ho Na Ho, 2003
Well, that’s all for today.
Keep reading, keep sharing and never stop believing!
“At times we are so engrossed and busy
that we lose out on retrospection.”
- Pratiksha Dhamale
