There is never a dull moment with Sreenanda Shankar around. The multihyphenate artist will make you laugh till your belly aches and then treat you to yummy food, till it is full. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her when we met her for this shoot, which was partly shot at Trincas on Park Street and partly at her South Calcutta residence. Designer Parama Ghosh dressed her up in her signature saris and blouses, and long-time friend Abhijith Cchanda was our make-up pro for the day. Memories were relived and new ones forged. In a candid conversation, Sreenanda shared her journey with make-up, her style basics and make-up tips.
How has your personal style evolved over the years?
For me, casual comfort is the most important thing, but when I do glam up, I am all about simplicity too. I feel less is more. I like good silhouettes, fitted clothes that suit your body type and personality, with maybe one statement jewellery. I don’t like wearing everything all together.
I am absolutely into flat shoes and sneakers because it’s about reality and comfort. I carry my heels if I have to pose, and then I put them in my bag and wear my flats. You also need to protect your legs as I dance, you know. My looks stand out because they are simple and understated, but I try to keep them elegant and classy and classy has nothing to do with expensive things. It is about taste. So, I try to keep it tasteful.
Has it always been like this ever since you understood what style or fashion is?
My mother (Tanusree Shankar) has always been like that. I have always seen my grandmother (Amala Shankar) like that. After a point, she used to stick to her tussore saris and her French roll. So, we have always been very trendy but in a very simple, classic way. I like classic clothing.
I have tried it all. I guess with age and over time, I have become more understated because I think understated actually stands out. It is more relatable. The moment you wear everything together and all of them are pretty, you don’t highlight one thing. It looks chaotic. It looks like you are actually trying to draw attention, but instead if you are understated, you will draw the attention.
Did you ever have a wild fashion phase?
I used to wear purple lipstick. I still wear black nail polish sometimes. I have had all my phases, but I like it simple. Whenever I did it, I did it tastefully. I always had an interest in make-up and fashion. I have never been an OTT person unless I am on stage or I am playing Durga or a character requires it. When it comes to my own styling, it is understated.
Apart from the women in your family, did anyone else have an impact on you in how you saw fashion and style?
I loved the look of Sharmila Tagore. I like Audrey Hepburn as well as Marilyn Monroe. They are two different genres, but both are original in their own way. And the other person whom I like, who is bindaas and doesn’t give a damn and looks amazing is Meryl Streep.
When did you start dabbling in make-up?
From childhood, because when my mom used to get ready for shows, I used to take it all in, in utter wonder. I saw her curl her lashes. I used to curl my lashes too, and go to school, and no one would understand! I would draw my maternal grandmom’s eyebrows. I always had an interest and a knack for it. Then I went and learnt in London in 2007.
After I came back, I decided, whatever I had learnt I would channelise that to share easy inputs for daily make-up for women. That is what I started doing, from 2013-14. I just do what I do, you know. I just capture, when I do my make-up, I turn on the camera.
I am not about selling 10,000 things to you. I am about trying different lipsticks and always stick to the brand or whatever suits you, and then change if you need to. You can use whatever you want. I am just showing you the technique. That you can survive without a liquid eyeliner! (Laughs) Either you put it very nicely or you don’t put it.
What have you discovered about your face after you started learning make-up?
I realised less make-up suits me more. I think you just need a few things here and there, where you highlight your features. Unless someone has a particular kind of problem like skin issues or whatever, keep it natural and just highlight your face with a little mascara or a little something. Again, it’s a very individual thing, but I always feel don’t put on a lot of make-up like a mask. If your skin looks like skin when you do make-up, that is more natural.