And here comes the bride

Though many have now become interested in Beauty Culture, it is a subject with a long history. It was flourishing quite well long before the colonial times, when

Kings ruled the country. The subject has now become something easy to grasp, though only a few attempt to maintain its dignity. Sumithra Nicholas Kamburugamuva became fascinated in beauty culture in the early 70s when it was not a household term to hear. As a teen, Sumithra would go on caressing others’ hair and she could see a lot and would wonder what should be done with it: re-bond, perm or any other hairstyle.

“I started bridal dressing when I was 18 in the early seventies. I have dressed almost countless brides,” Sumithra said.

But Sumithra could never put up any notice board as her sons did not like the idea. Passersby could not know if there is a beautician close by. Unexposed to the publicity hype, Sumithra nevertheless succeeded in her career. She gave prominence to service. She would look at the customer’s income level and charge a nominal fee.

“There are times I haven’t charged a cent. Sometimes I charge only my expenses or I would brief them my expenses and ask them to give whatever amount they can afford to. In most cases they have paid me well. I consider this a human service, not merely a business.”

Even her sons – Thisara and Ranga are now in their thirties – have been encouraging her not to charge extravagantly. A proper modern wedding means you have to pay through the nose. Is it actually so? Under this system, Sumithra explains, beauticians keep a fat profit.

Some beauticians take that extra step to violate etiquettes. A beautician takes one day, either wedding or homecoming day, and lets another beautician have the other. Most beauticians not only take both days, but also pressurize the customers in numerous ways to make them pay more.

“Once I gave a flower boutique to one of my friends. She went to a different beautician. That particular beautician took both wedding and homecoming days, charged a high fee and took back all the items she was given. Those items included the boutique I’ve given too. That is one incident and there are many more incidents like that,” Sumithra adds. In another situation the beautician emphasizes on certain shops to buy saris and other bridal items. They would say it is the only place to buy items of latest fashion, and their customers end up almost penniless at the end of the wedding merely with bridal dressing expenses.

“Many sari shops wanted to give me a commission though I have politely refused. They are used to give some commission for their names to be recommended. They can charge as they like because the customer has nowhere else to go.”

Customers, on the other hand, are willing to go for beauticians who charge a higher fee, Sumithra observed. They have the notion that expensive beauticians do the job best.

“Most expensive beauticians are professionals. You can rely on them all right. They may be charging higher because of the high competition and the quality of their work. I personally do not blame them.”

Sumithra studied Beauty Culture first at Hotel school and later obtained NVQ, a Government-given qualification. She was not happy with what they taught at the Hotel school. Beauty culture is only one subject out of many at the Hotel school. Obtaining the NVQ meant so much to her.

“I think I was given proper guidance there. I must specially mention about my teacher Ranmali Gunawardene. Even today I turn to her whenever I have an issue. She is so generous in offering her knowledge.” Sumithra was first posted as a Home Science instructor and now she continues to teach in two Government schools.

“In this field there is no limit. Once you feel you have learnt enough, you can get into the business. But I was not happy with what I learnt. I wanted to learn more. I still want to learn more. That’s why I enjoy teaching and dressing. I learn a lot of things both ways.”

Having being in the industry for quite a long time, Sumithra is capable of narrating stories of bridging generations.

“I’m so happy whenever I meet a mother and a daughter both of whom I have dressed. In a way it means I have become quite old.”

With many years gone, Sumithra has realized one thing. Old fashions and styles repeat in a slightly modern way. Today’s hairstyle can be the offshoot of how it was in early 1980s.

Sumithra Nicholas Kamburugamuva now lives in 53/1, Anandarama Road, Katubedda, with her mother, husband and two sons.

“My mother was a great helping hand ever since I entered the field. Although she is now 87, my mother Beatrice still helps me out with my work. She is still active in her work. I must thank my husband Ranatunga Chandrasiri too for helping out a great deal.”

Sachitra