The success story of Indu:

'Love your profession'

Samangie WETTIMUNY

With her 18 year long experience in the field, well-known beautician and bridal dresser Indu Hewapathirana says that unlike other jobs, bridal dressing is a round-the-clock service! "Being customer-friendly is the most important quality. Customer satisfaction is my satisfaction as well."

Indu says that she never discriminates on the economic background of the would-be brides as all of them have one dream- to look quite attractive on the most important day of their lives. "My charges are quite reasonable. I do not want to `extract' unbearable amounts from my clients!

Recognising her services to the field, she was awarded the first prize for "the best Kandyan bridal dress" by the ITN's Siri Madura Program. Indu who constantly appears on this program was quite grateful to its producer Subhashini Hemamala for the support given by her throughout the past.

A past pupil of St. Mary's College, Matara Indu admits that she is blessed with all the virtues that her artist father, H. B. D. C. Dharmadasa was gifted with. It was my father who taught me the value of being kind, patient and compassionate. "You reap what you sow."

Despite the objections raised by some of her friends, Indu dressed an orphan on the day she opened her salon fifteen years ago. "Some of my friends raised objections as they thought that it will bring bad luck. But I do not believe in such superstitions." Today Indu is quite happy to see the girl doing well in life. She is also highly grateful to her ever-supportive engineer-husband who has well adjusted to her busy life.Labelling her merely as a bridal dresser would be an injustice to her multifaceted talents. Indu has also excelled in Saree and T-shirt painting, making bouquets, designing jewellery with mural and crystal beads. She also emphasized the importance of dressing brides in a way that reflects Sri Lankan identity. Indu says that most of the time her bouquets are done with natural flowers. Normally she does not accept two orders for a day . "I want to give my client the maximum."

Indu talked high of her guru Haris Wijesingha. "If not for him I would not be in the field today." Furthermore, she adds that whatever she does, she always thanks him in silence for teaching her such a sacred art.

She is well aware of the competitive nature of the field, but cautions that criticising each other is not the solution. "Instead, you have to respect your colleague bridal dressers. Have you ever heard me criticising any of them?" she queries.

Her salon at Battaramulla is open to anyone irrespective of their class.! She does everything on her own. She has only one assistant. "Clients are normally reluctant to get dressed by assistants. They all want me to attend to their needs. So I try my best to fulfil their wishes."

"You have to be dedicared to whatever job you do. You have to love it. You cannot fake it," she adds in conclusion.