Young women train and thrive in Hyderabad’s booming bridal industry, mastering skills in makeup and mehendi artistry.
Sania Tabassum
Hyderabad’s wedding culture, steeped in Nizami grandeur, has fuelled a booming bridal industry, helping transform young Muslim women into entrepreneurs. From intricate henna designs to bespoke makeup, young artistes are redefining financial freedom in a multi-crore market driven by personalised services.
Nineteen-year-old Saara, daughter of a motor mechanic, grew up in financial hardship. Her mother’s tailoring business waned as readymade bridal wear surged, pushing her to contribute to the family earning after Class 10. She honed her henna and makeup skills under the mentorship of a skilled bridal artiste, Fathima. Now charging ₹3,000 per henna session, with clients covering travel, Ms. Saara’s success quelled her father’s initial concerns about late-night events. Her story reflects a broader movement among Hyderabad’s young Muslim women, turning bridal services into a path to independence.
Woman-centric industry
In Hyderabad’s Old City, from Charminar to Yakutpura, young women from modest backgrounds are reshaping tradition. The bridal industry, once parlour-bound, now thrives on creativity and independence. The bridal industry offers a safe, women-only space, free from male-dominated workplaces. Clients often arrange transport, easing logistical challenges. Social media has revolutionized access, allowing artistes like Ms. Saara to compete with high-end studios. Brides like Meherunisa say that she discovered talent online, drawn to Ms. Saara’s ability to deliver precise looks inspired by celebrities like Alia Bhatt’s minimal henna design or Anushka Sharma’s pastel lehenga. This digital shift has democratized the industry, enabling artistes to serve diverse budgets while fostering a vibrant community of shared techniques and global trends.
Young women showcase their mehendi artistry.
Young women train on trends in makeup and mehendi artistry.
High-end artistes like Aliya Baig, founder of Aliya Baig Makeovers and Aliya Baig Academy of Makeup (ABAM), ranked among Asia’s top three, mentor aspiring artists. “At ABAM, we transform women into confident entrepreneurs,” Ms. Baig says. Her academy guides students from their first brushstroke to building portfolios and securing clients. Many graduates become freelancers, studio owners, or educators. Similarly, Meena Mehendi, a pioneer with eight years of experience, teaches at MS Degree College, training hundreds annually. “I started for money, but now I uplift my community’s girls,” Ms. Meena shares. Her students view henna as a lucrative career.
Educational and government support
Colleges like Andhra Mahila Sabha College offer makeup and beauty courses for ₹15,000, enrolling over 200 girls annually, 80% of them Muslim. Director Laxmi Cakancharla notes: “They learn fast, earning quickly.” Government initiatives bolster this growth. The Mahila Udyam Nidhi Yojana by SIDBI provides up to ₹10 lakh loans with flexible repayment, enabling artistes to invest in quality products. Telangana’s women-focused programs, like the Telangana State Rural Livelihoods Mission, offer grants and skills training, empowering rural women to enter the industry.
Challenges amid growth
The women-centric booming bridal industry has helped many young women turn into entrepreneurs.
Despite its vibrancy, there are challenges like when clients undervalue services, offering as little as ₹1,500 for premium work requiring costly products and travel. Safa Khan, mentions late payment . “Clients call us ‘parlour walis’, but this is art,” she says. Social biases and the need to constantly learn trends pose a challenge. Yet, the women-only field breaks barriers, offering a lifeline to those once pushed toward early marriage.
Woman artistes have to keep pace with the changing trends in Hyderabad’s booming bridal industry.
Social media amplifies these artistes’ reach, earning them awards like social media icon honours and empowerment recognitions at local events. These platforms spotlight their creativity, inspiring more Muslim girls to build online presences and pursue bold dreams. Workshops by mentors like Ms. Fathima further empower girls, teaching them to wield brushes as tools of change.
As Hyderabad’s weddings dazzle with Nizami splendor, artists like Saara, Safa, and Meena craft legacies of beauty and empowerment, proving every design is a step toward a bolder tomorrow.
(The writer is intern at The Hindu, Hyderabad)
Published – June 06, 2025 10:54 pm IST