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Doing brides her
forte
By Farah Macan Markar
 This smart gal
whom I met at Elibank,
white smile, hair spruced up,
was cooly clad.
Ramani Fernando's her name
born on the 15th of Nov,
she's fifty years old,
hair cutting is her love.
So how did it all start
her trip up to fame?
This hair cutting celebrity
now slowly explains.
"Well I had just left school
(Which was St.Bridget's by the way),
I wanted to do fashion designing
but there was no scope for it those days."
So Ram did a hair cutting course
and then married Ranjit,
(that ex-cricketer-now commentator)
whom she met at her seventeenth
birthday party, in 1970
"I didn't know who he was then.
We married a year later
and went to England, which was when
I first worked in a salon
as a junior in the field,
sweeping floors, washing hair
doing all the basic things".
There Ram got her training
it was a tough job she says,
doing everyone's dirty work
and standing all day.
So with her training and talent
Ram got hooked onto it.
"It all started out as a hobby,
I never expected it to come where it is".
A store room converted
into a mini mini salon,
was how Ram started her business
all on her own.
Word of mouth spread
and Ram's clientele grew,
as did her salons
and fame too.
Of her job, she says she loves it
especially doing brides,
which now since the kids are grown
she has more time.
Of brides, her own daughter became one
not long ago,
of which Yes, Mum did the bridal
and much more.
 "Amma it's my wedding not a show"
Daughter would constantly to Ram tell,
worried that Mum would over do things,
which in the end however went well.
So three boys and a girl
plus a dog named Ruddy,
not forgetting hubby-Ranjit
Are in Ram's "R" family.
Of herself Ram says,
she's an easy going person,
patient, disciplined,
loves doing things to perfection.
Hobbies-decorating the house
eating out and exercising.
Being at home, then taking a walk
she loves the evenings.
Most embarrassing moment was when
a glass of coke,
was knocked down by her elbow
and the bridal dress soaked.
As a kid young Ram was vain
which would drive her Mum mad.
she'd pluck girls' eyebrows in school
A forbidden act.
Her biggest influence's her husband,
"He gives me great advice.
He's always been there for me
and sees the bright side of life".
Annoying habits of hubby?
"He's too loud on the phone
and a bit untidy too
when he is at home".
Lastly Ram says
"What I enjoy, I will do,
until I stop enjoying it,
which I hope will not be soon".
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