Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon appeared as a special guest on the dance reality show India's Best Dancer and opened up about deeply personal memories, including the emotional story behind her daughter Rasha's butterfly tattoo — a tribute to her late grandfather — and the spiritual symbols of Mahadev and Krishna woven into the design.

The Butterfly Tattoo and a Father's Blessing

The revelation came after contestant Anshika asked Raveena to help convince her mother to allow her to get a tattoo. In response, Raveena shared the touching story behind Rasha's ink. 'Rasha got it because her Nana passed away. She feels that in the form of a butterfly, every time she goes shooting, a butterfly comes and sits on her, which has been happening to her all the time. So she always feels that her Nana is blessing her in some way,' Raveena explained.

The tattoo carries a layered spiritual meaning. 'If you look at her tattoo, there is Krishna Ji's peacock feather inside the butterfly's wings, and Mahadev's Neelkanth. For Rasha, these symbols represent that they are guiding her through life. So, for her, these are the three things that are supporting her through her life. This is a very emotional thing; it's not something to be taken lightly,' Raveena added.

India's Ancient Tradition of Tattooing

Raveena also placed tattooing within a broader cultural and historical context, noting that the practice of gudhwana has existed in India for centuries. 'Tattooing has been a tradition in India for centuries. If you go to villages, Rajasthan, or our tribal areas across the country, tattooing is a tradition. But back then, it was done with a needle,' she said. She added that her own tattoos include her children's names and paw prints, describing herself as 'crazy about animals.'

The Scorpio Tattoo Mix-Up — and Los Angeles Fix

Raveena also recalled a humorous incident involving her own Scorpio tattoo. She had taken a scorpion design cut from a newspaper to a parlour that primarily offered eyebrow tattoos. The artist reportedly asked if it was a 'zhinga' — a prawn — prompting a baffled correction from Raveena. She eventually had the tattoo properly done in Los Angeles in 1992, remarking, 'This is not a fashion statement for me. For me, it's emotional.'

Advice to Young Fans

Addressing contestant Anshika directly, Raveena encouraged her to understand the emotional weight of getting inked before making the decision. She suggested that rather than a generic design, Anshika consider something that honours her parents — 'Get a tattoo that says Mummy Papa's girl; they will be with you for the rest of your life.' Fellow Bollywood star and India's Best Dancer presence Karisma Kapoor noted that Raveena was among the first Indian actors to sport a visible tattoo at a time when the practice was not widely available in India.

Raveena's candid appearance on the show offered viewers a rare, unguarded glimpse into the personal and spiritual significance she and her family attach to the art of tattooing — far beyond aesthetics or trend.