Make-up Chauvnism in Bollywood

I read a very shocking article in the Open Magazine today.
Apparently, the Cine Costume Make-up Artistes and Hair Dressers Association, considered  as bollywood’s official body of these ‘professionals',  since its inception in 1955, has never granted a make-up card to a woman.

The reason is simple and explicit: to keep out competition from half the human species.

‘Since the formation of the Association, no make-up artiste card has been issued to female members till date. This is done to ensure that male members are not deprived of work as make-up artistes.
If female artistes are given make-up artistes’ cards, then it will become impossible for male members to get work and they will lose their sources of livelihood and will be deprived of their earnings to support themselves and their families, because no one will be interested [in engaging] the services of a male make-up artiste if a female make-up artiste is available, looking to the human tendency.’

While many female make-up artistes are professionally trained, a majority of their male counterparts have not even gone to college; they latch on as assistants of senior artistes and then try to strike out on their own, using a network of contacts. To keep things the way they are, the Association is also adamant that women not be allowed to work as make-up artistes for TV serials, music albums and ad films, and if any woman continues to do such work, ‘appropriate and strict action will be initiated against her’ (even if the person is not a member of the Association).

If this is true, this is wrong on so many levels. I was outraged when I read this article, and decided to post about it to create awareness about this issue. How the hell can you stop women from persuing a profession on the stupid "excuse" that you need to keep out competition?

I know some friends who are aspiring MUAs. I hope they don't have to face such an issue.

I would always wonder why we in India have so many male makeup *superstars* but have no women unlike abroad (Bobbi Brown, Lisa Eldridge amongst the ones I can think off hand). I have never heard of Vimi Joshi doing makeup in any movie, I always thought it was because she was not interested, maybe she really isn't but now I know there could be another reason.

What do you feel? To read the original article go here.

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. It is, it is very irritating - how can you deprive someone of seeking a livelihood? I'm surprised that none of our major movie actresses talk or do anything about it :(

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  2. Omg..i am sharing this on my blog too..!!! we need people to know about this..!

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    1. Pls do Fathima - just think, I have been blogging 3 years now & I had no clue :(

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  3. this is such SHAME to and for all the 'male' MUAs who agrees to this procedure! :-/

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    1. I agree, why be so afraid of competition if you are so good?

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  4. omg!I am ashamed that something like this is happening in our country and I am totally unaware of it.People from Film and acting fraternity especially the female members need to raise voice against it and demand for female make up artist.Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. I agree, I wonder why the actresses don't speak up and protest about this kind of discrimination?

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  5. Thank you for putting this out there. It's shocking since India is a country that has had political female leaders.

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    1. It is!! India also has a lot of women representation in the film industry as well as politics like you mentioned - I guess no one wants to upset the apple cart :(

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  6. I'd heard of this earlier. The real reason is something else, don't you think? They are just insecure about themselves!

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    1. Ohh yes, they are insecure - don't want competition. It is just stupid :(

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  7. How discriminating is this?? Its appalling how in today's time things are still so regressive..sometimes I think we've barely moved forward compared to the rest of the world..

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    1. Yea, and imagine that hardly anyone knows about this. We have actresses becoming "spokesperson" for all sorts of initiatives (for money & free publicity) - how about they take a look in their back yard & speak up for women? :(

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  8. OMG... and they say india has evolved... that the film industry has eveloved... bull crap.... if the male MUAs are good enough, they will get business... what crap logic is that everyone will prefer female MUAs? Did the aviation industry not open to male stewards? Did the air hostesses run out of jobs? I am totally disgusted after reading this.. great job Tanveer!

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    1. Thanks :)

      Their excuse is so stupid. They are "men" who are clearly intimidated by women. I have heard many times from some of my Bollywood friends that Bollywood is evolved only when it comes to the clothes they make the female actresses wear - in every other way it is still a male dominated world :(

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  9. Such a Shame..discrimination against women :@ And the reason is ridiculous!!Shame on the guys!

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  10. Thnx to Indian Mentality, discrimination against women is happening at all levels. Never knew abt dis,though

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    1. Discrimination a/g women happens in a lot of professions, but just not letting them work is taking it to whole new level :(

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  11. I am sharing the original article on my FB. Sucha shame.

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    1. Pls share! The more ppl know about this, the more media highlights it - maybe it will change things :)

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  12. Yeah..this is nothing new...for whatever reason, this whole country is getting backward as the world progresses! Next thing you know, women will be banned from the entire workforce all together!

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  13. I know! I completely agree with you..

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