Kathmandu, April 14 -- Across the globe, tattoo artistry has served as a medium for conveying personal expressions, emotions, and heritage. This body art has also been prevalent in Nepal, and the hype around it is growing.

While tattoos are now widely celebrated, they have not always been respected as an art form or as a profession. A common misconception that still persists is that people with tattoos are seen as rebellious and unprofessional, often subject to vilification. This social stigma has long associated tattoos with "goons," substance abuse, and even criminality.

Omprakash Gurung, one of the directors of the recently concluded '13th International Nepal Tattoo Convention', has witnessed different perceptions of tattoos.

"Earli...