Cover Kumaraesinggam Balasingam, also known as KS, is a make-up, hair and saree draping specialist
Kumaraesinggam Balasingam, also known as KS, is a make-up, hair and saree draping specialist
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As one of the most sought-after saree draping experts, KS brings more than just skill to a bride’s big day
In all my years of wearing a saree, I really fear only one thing: someone asking me to help drape their saree.
My saree draping technique comes from what my mother taught me, she would start by knotting one corner, tucking it into her underskirt, looping it around her waist, and tucking the fabric into the waistband as she went. Then she would gather up the other end, make deft pleats and draw them tight over her chest, leaving a gaping mess of fabric at her feet. This excess too would be pleated and tucked into her underskirt, leaving her looking neat and elegant.
I mimicked her movements when I first started wearing sarees, and now, 30 years later, it is pure muscle memory in my hands. I have tweaked the drape to accommodate my own body by eliminating small steps like knotting the saree before beginning my drape because I have found that it holds up just fine without them.
Above Model Anamika Gupta wears a Kanjivaram saree
Model Anamika Gupta wears a Kanjivaram saree
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But the biggest learning for me has been that not all sarees are created equal; differences in the length and width of the saree, and different types of fabric, can substantially impact my drape. Over the years, I have figured out what works for me; for my height, I need sarees with a generous width and length, such as Kanjivaram Silk sarees, which are woven in the temple town of Kanjipuram in Tamil Nadu, India. These sarees come in a range of styles, from plain and unadorned to full gold brocade, and most notably, sought out as bridal sarees.
Draping a Kanjivaram can be a challenge for those who don’t wear sarees regularly. Given its 4ply pure silk and gold zari thread work, the saree is heavier than usual. Coupled with its 48- to 50-inch width and six-metre length, the bridal Kanjivaram often needs an expert to wrangle it into place.
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Kumaraesinggam Balasingam—widely known as KS—is one such wrangler.
As a make-up, hair and saree draping specialist in Tamil weddings, KS has helped almost 500 brides look their best for their big day. Even when he was a teen make-up enthusiast, his family and friends would ask for his help in dolling them up; KS would happily oblige. Later, when working for IBM out of their Portsmouth, England office, he would take the train down to London on weekends to attend professional make-up classes.
Above Sarees come in a range of styles
Above Most ‘Silk’ sarees sold even in reputable stores in Brickfields and Klang, is not actually silk
Sarees come in a range of styles
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Then in 2012, an opportunity arose for him to put his skills to the test.
“A friend was getting married, and her make-up artist bailed on her at the last moment. She begged me for a favour, and I obliged. It was nerve-wracking that my first professional gig came out of the blue, but I did it and realised how much I loved it,” recounts KS.
Over the next decade, KS built his clientele base, becoming one of the most in-demand make-up artists in the Indian bridal industry—all while maintaining an upward trajectory in his corporate job. Then in April 2022, he bit the bullet, left office life for good and embarked on a full-time career as a bridal make-up artist. By this time he had also expanded into selling Kanjivaram Silk sarees under his Resham by Sofistiq brand.
“I started Resham because I felt bad for so many of the brides that I was working with. I would be hired to drape their supposed bridal Kanjivarams, but just touching the fabric would be enough for me to realise that they had been scammed. Most ‘silk’ sarees sold even in reputable stores in Brickfields and Klang are not actually silk—it is Art Silk which is just a fancy name for artificial silk,” explains KS.
Above Draping a Kanjivaram saree can be a challenge for those who don’t wear sarees regularly
Draping a Kanjivaram saree can be a challenge for those who don’t wear sarees regularly
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“These brides were paying hundreds, sometimes thousands of Ringgit for sarees that were not the real deal. And I wanted to right that wrong. For Resham, I travel to India and handpick Kanjivaram Silk sarees, and this way, I can be assured of their quality. A bride deserves the best on her wedding day.”
A bridal make-up artist’s job usually starts a month before the actual wedding when the bride comes in for a make-up and hair trial and a discussion about what accessories she would like to wear with her sarees.
“A Tamil wedding usually involves a saree change three-quarters of the way through the ceremony, and some brides ask for their hair, make-up and accessories to be changed as well to match their second saree. This needs to be done in 10 minutes with stressed relatives knocking on the changing room door, asking if the bride is ready,” sighs KS.
“They just need to trust the process. I will get it done.”
Above KS built his clientele base over a decade, becoming one of the most in-demand make-up artists in the Indian bridal industry
KS built his clientele base over a decade, becoming one of the most in-demand make-up artists in the Indian bridal industry
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An 8am wedding can mean that KS leaves his home at 12:30am to get to the bride’s home and start make-up and hair by 1.30am so that she is ready for her pre-wedding photos by 6am. He then accompanies the bridal entourage to the wedding venue, performs touch-ups and prepares the bride for her entrance. Then he waits in the dressing room for her to return to him, for the quick change.
When the bride is adorned in her second saree and heads to the wedding dias for the highlight of the marriage ceremony, KS can finally take a breath before heading off to his afternoon bridal client.
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“During the wedding season, which is the most auspicious months to be married, it is likely that I will be booked by at least two brides in a day. So the schedule can be punishing as you travel to any location that the bride is in, including out-of-state weddings. There are far more bridal Saress draping artists these days than when I first started, so at least brides have more options at hand now,” says KS
“These days, I take on more non-bridal clients, those who are getting ready for events or perhaps attending a wedding as a guest. They may choose to wear a saree but not want to deal with draping it, so I’m here for them. If they need me to bring accessories with me, I can do that for them too. My goal is to make women comfortable in sarees so that they feel confident and comfortable no matter how long they need to be in the drape.”
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Photography: Fady Younis
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