“Television commercials and print advertisements should start featuring dusky models and break the mould that beauty is not always about fair skin.” This was one of the replies that won Gayathri Natarajan the Mrs India Earth first Runner up title at a beauty pageant in Delhi.
A dentist by profession, Natarajan is the centre head of Apollo White Dental hospital at RS Puram. “Societal conditioning makes one believe that fair skin is beautiful. I feel proud about my dark skin. I want to be a role model and make every single woman who is dusky to feel confident about it.” She also won two other titles — Best Catwalk and Face of South India — at the event that had over 50 participants from India and a few from Germany, Russia, the UK and the US.
Natarajan says that she will work towards cancer awareness. “My mentor is Dr Shantha, the founder of the Cancer Institute, Adyar, Chennai. The Mrs. India organisation has appointed me as the brand ambassador on cancer awareness and palliative care. And, support the ‘dark is beautiful’ campaign,” she says. She plans to meet girls in colleges and schools and also working women. “I want to tell them that it’s inner beauty that matters.”
Grooming
The contest held over three days had several qualifying rounds, and grooming sessions. Natarajan, who is also a Bharatanayam dancer with over 400 shows in India, performed Bharatanatyam for the talent round.
“I learnt a lot. Among the participants, there were neurosurgeons, gynaecologists and people from an army background too. Most had regular jobs, yet pursued their passion. I got tips on sari draping, make-up, cooking and learnt about various cultures too.” Her participation came as a big surprise even to her as her husband, Ramkumar Ramakrishnan had enrolled her name. She took care of her fitness with a combination of gymming, dance, swimming, and sensible eating. “I have won three gold medals for Tamil Nadu with my backstroke. Swimming is great exercise,” says Natarajan.
Time management is the key to balance professional and personal goals, she says. “When one is gifted with a talent, it is important to practise regularly. This can be done by managing time efficiently.”
Upcoming event
Pinktober campaign at airports in Chennai and Coimbatore. Organised by India Turns Pink, the motto is awareness about and prevention of breast cancer and to make breast cancer free India 2030. Natarajan will volunteer for the cause and also participate in raising funds to set up breast cancer screening machines in rural areas. This will be of use to the needy women and help in early detection of breast cancer.
