The Nepal Weekly 
June 6, 2023
By Narendra Raule
No one knows when the life takes a turn. When the journey takes a turn; one’s profession may change accordingly. Same thing happened in the life of Bikram Gautam , who hails from Kavrepalanchok district. He used to work at a hotel sometime in the past.
He pursued studies while working at Daju Bhai Guesthouse in New Bus Park in Kathmandu. The story was 12 years ago. Now, these events have become the thing of past for him, as his situation has now changed. He has been established as a popular and successful makeup artist.
He has taken up the job of makeup artist for the past 12 years applying a makeup to film and television artists. So far, he has worked for many movies including ‘Bullet, ‘Cups’, ‘Bichchhed’, ‘Bhugol’, ‘Krash’ and ‘Mama’ as a makeup artist.
A journey from chef to makeup artist
Gautam worked at the guesthouse in New Bus Park for two years. While working at the guesthouse, he met beauticians Shusila KC and Saraswati Ghimire. This meeting made his life take a turn.
While working at the guesthouse, he took a cosmetology course. He also took training on cosmetic art. “Shusila and Saraswati sisters encouraged me to take up the job of makeup artist telling me that I could earn enough from the job for my livelihood. They are my trainers, and first teachers. I would like to thank both sisters. I could not be where I am today if they were not there for me,” he recalled. KC and Ghimire are a source of inspiration for him.
Not only movies, Gautam originally from Panchkhal Muncipality-6 in Kavrepalanchok district has also worked for many hit TV series including ‘Sakkigoni’, ‘Bhadragol’ ‘Meri Bassai’, ‘Buhari’, ‘Halat Kharab’, and ‘Kya Jamana Aa’ as a makeup artist.
So far, he applied a makeup to many famous film artists including Binisha Hamal, Keki Adhikari, Barsha Raut, Barsha Siwakoti, Aanchal Sharma, Anjali Adhikari, JB DC, Dayahang Rai, Pradip Khadka, Anup Bikram Shahi, Salon Man Baniya, and Salon Basnet.
He also worked for many music videos and advertisements including ‘Chahanchhu’, ‘Sapanima’ and ‘A Kali’ (all music videos). Earlier some time ago, he was honoured with the ‘best makeup artist award’ for his music video entitled ‘Phijai Pankha’ in the sixth national inclusive music award, 2079 BS.
Only a few number of people are involved in the job of effect makeup artist, art makeup artist, and drama makeup artist in the country, according to him. He is one of them. “People would tell me that a Brahmin man should not work as a hairdresser. ‘You are a son of a Brahmin man. Your brothers are earning money in a foreign land. Why you took up this profession’,” he shared. However, he continued to work ignoring things he faced in his life.
Now, he has been teaching on cosmetology. His classes include that on hair cutting, hair chemical, special makeup and hair keratin. So far, he has produced 115 beauticians. Some of his students have been in foreign countries for job opportunities, while some others are running their business home as a hairdresser.
He has run a salon named ‘B Star Academy and Unisex Salon’ in Kapan. He has given job opportunities to seven people at his salon. According to him, there are around 100 makeup artists in the Nepali film industry. Of them, there are hardly a dozen popular and excellent makeup artists. The figure is very small. He has reached as far as Humla, Jumla, Kalikot, Kailali, Dhangadhi, Dharan, Itahari, Jhapa and Ilam in course of his job.
Handsome incomes from cosmetology in Nepal
Recession often does not affect cosmetology. People involved in this profession are not usually remain unemployed. Service is provided in cash not in credit. As a result, it generates handsome incomes all the time. “Other businesses in general generates 25 percent margins. But, the business of cosmetology generates 75 percent margins,” he said.
Half of his family members are engaged in this business, he added.
His spouse Mandira Sapkota works as a nail technician, and brother Binaya Gautam as a hairdresser. Also, his sister-in-law Ranjita is a mehandi designer and beautician.
Makeup artists are scarce in Nepal. It is difficult to find workforce even by offering a monthly salary of around Rs 50,000 each along with the facility of food and accommodation, he said. The number of male workers is less than females. According to him, one can easily earn a monthly salary of somewhere between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000 from this job. Producing skilled and required human resources within the country can prevent the outflow of thousands of rupees Indian workers have earned as salaries, he pointed out.
What is your future plan?
“I want to encourage Nepali people to seek their career in cosmetology. I want to make a name for myself as a makeup artist. I want to further expand my business.”
Who is your idol? “I want to be different than others. In Nepal, anyone tries imitating the other.”
