How This 22-Year-Old Went From Being Broke to One of the Most Expensive Tattoo Artists in India

At 22, Devendra Palav had no roadmap, just a desk job that drained his creativity and a gut feeling that he was meant for something more.

By 30, he was charging lakhs per piece, tattooing celebrities like Virat Kohli, and standing tall as one of India’s most expensive tattoo artists.

This isn’t a story of overnight success. It’s the story of a quiet rebel who walked away from comfort, trusted his art, and built a life inked with intention.

The Early Days: Comfortable but Creatively Starved

Devendra started where many do — with a “safe” job. A trained graphic designer, he worked in a small Mumbai studio, cranking out logos and layouts. The kind of work that paid the bills but left his spirit numb.

He had the skills. But not the satisfaction.

Late nights were for sketching. Tattoo videos filled his YouTube history. The idea kept circling in his mind: What if this… could be more?

The Turning Point: A Friend, a Push, and a Sketchbook

One day, a friend simply asked: “Why not Tattooing?”

That one question unlocked something. It felt wild. Unrealistic. But also… right.

Devendra didn’t have tattoo experience. He didn’t come from money. But he had a pencil, a dream, and a hunger that wouldn’t go away. In 2016, he took the leap and joined Aliens Tattoo Art School.

He Left the Screen Behind for a new Canvas,  Skin.

Tattooing didn’t feel like starting from scratch. It felt like evolution.

His years in graphic design had trained his eye — for symmetry, balance, form. At Aliens, he channeled those instincts into something human, something breathing.

He wasn’t just learning technique — he was learning connection. Understanding skin, stories, energies.

He dove deep into mandala art, sacred geometry, and dotwork, fusing traditional Indian influences with modern design thinking.

Within months, people started noticing.

The Breakthrough: When Kohli Called

One of his early works made it to the eyes of someone on Virat Kohli’s team. Before long, Devendra found himself prepping designs for the cricket legend.

That moment changed everything.

It wasn’t just about fame, it was validation. His style, his thought process, his dedication, they belonged on the biggest stage.

From there, he went on to tattoo other athletes like Tilak Varma and Riyan Parag, each work a blend of spiritual meaning and stunning detail.

Building His Brand: Art That Speaks Without Words

What makes Devendra’s work so sought-after?

It’s not just the lines. It’s the language of the lines.

His tattoos often feature sacred geometry, Indian patterns, spiritual symbols — crafted with near-obsessive precision. Every piece is a conversation between the client’s inner world and his outer vision.

And over time, that style became his identity. His brand.

Milestones That Matter

• Best Collaboration – Goa Tattoo Festival

• Best Realism (Runner Up) – Heartwork Tattoo Festival

• Among India’s Top 3 Most Expensive Tattoo Artists

• Now earning ₹24L+ annually, with a 3-month waitlist

But numbers are just surface. What matters more is this:

"I wake up excited to create — that’s worth more than any paycheck," Devendra says.

Giving Back: The Mentor’s Role

Now a mentor at Aliens Tattoo Art School, Devendra trains the next wave of artists.

He doesn’t just teach technique. He teaches focus, ethics, discipline. How to listen to a client.

How to price your work. How to keep evolving.

For students who feel lost in their creative journey, he becomes proof that it's possible, that it’s worth it.

So, What Can You Take From His Story?

You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need rich parents or elite connections. You need hunger. Direction. And the courage to start small.

Devendra’s journey is a reminder that if your creativity keeps whispering to you — maybe it’s not just a hobby. Maybe it’s the beginning of something bigger.

Thinking About a Career Like This?

At Aliens Tattoo Art School, artists like Devendra don’t just teach techniques — they help shape careers.

If you’re wondering what life beyond design jobs or art school confusion could look like… this might be your sign.

Learn how you can go from sketches to success.→ Explore real student journeys.→ Discover what a high-earning creative career actually looks like.

Because the canvas may change. But the art? That’s always been yours.

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