INDRA BAHADUR 1942

Our History

Tattoo Master Mr. Indra Bahadur

Singapore's Pioneer Gurkha Tattoo Family Since 1942

The Two Thumbed Gurkha Tattoo Artist

Indra Bahadur 1925 – 1988. Mr. Indra Bahadur was born in 1925; he was one of Singapore’s Pioneer Tattoo Artist. The Tattoo artist is a man nicked-named Johnny with the two thumbs. Born with two thumbs on his right hand, it became his trade name given by British soldiers and sailors, who were his clients, but his real name is Mr. Indra Bahadur, and he is off Nepalese origin.

In 1942 the first tattoo business in Shillong. Indra Bahadur,- was in Shillong, Assam State, India where he learned the trade of tattooing in a village called Baddaa Bazaar from an old tattoo master who became his Guru. After he set up a humble shop; teaching his youngest brother and brother-in-law the skill, it soon became a family business.

1950 the Gurkha brothers voyage to Singapore. In the year 1950, was when the brothers and their wives made the journey by ship from Shillong, India travelling by ship from Calcutta to Singapore.

Their first tattooing in Singapore started in Nee Soon, 19 Transit Road. By 1959 they soon ventured and opened up two other shops in 37 Bras Basah Road and No.3 Selegi Road.

Johnny Gurkha, Johnny Nepal & Johnny with the two thumbs.They became the famously know as the three Gurka tattoo artists known as Johnny Gurkha( Mr. Aitabir Singbir), Johnny Nepal ( Chandra Bahadur ) & Johnny with the two thumbs ( Indra Bahadur )

1959 New Lucky Store the tattoo family business. New Lucky Store was a shop house located at 37 Bras Basah Road. This is where the Indra’s family resided on the second level and ran their family tattoo business down below. By then Mr. Indra Bahadur had already become famous internationally for his talent and his unique two thumbs. Each of his work became classics as he was a born artist with a knack for realism and charcoal portraits.

The 1970s – Tattoos, Sailors, U.S Marines, and the Vietnam War. In the Seventies, the Vietnam War made sure a steady stream of U.S. Marines and sailors of the U.S. Seventh Fleet on R&R waited patiently in line at New Lucky Store, 37 Bras Basah Road from where Indra Bahadur ( Johnny with the two thumbs) operated from. By then Mr. Indra Bahadur had already become famous internationally.

1974 Tattoo Legend breaks his arm. In 1974, Indra had a mishap and broke his arm and could not do tattooing for a while and this was when his two sons Singha 23 and Harkha 15 had to take over tattooing the clients. At a young age both sons were already trained and familiar with the skill. Indra Bahadur guarded his trade secrets very tightly and would not impart his trade and skill to anyone else.

Custom Tattoo Machines for the family. Many sought him for an apprenticeship which he always humbly declined. Indra Bahadur would refuse to take or allow any outsides into his trade; he only taught his family the skill. Indra custom made the tattooing machines they used and his son (Singha) who spent weekends helping him only know about the construction of the tools. The machines are all hand-made unique, and the original tools are now kept and maintained by his son Harka Bahadur (Richard Tat). These exclusive custom machines are still in fantastic working order.

In 1983 Indra Bahadur’s retirement. After the passing of his beloved wife, Indra soon retired from tattooing. His health was ailing and had suspected stomach cancer. Indra Bahadur passed in 1988. His sons and daughters took over running the New Luck Store.

2019- Tattoos & 3 Generations. Now his two sons, Singha Bahadur (Singha Tat who is retired ) and Harka Bahadur (Richard Tat), eldest daughter Sakuntala Debi and her two children and niece continue to run the Gurkha Tattoo Family business. Sumithra Debi the granddaughter of the late two thumbed tattoo master Mr. Indra Bahadur continues the third generation of tattooing.