Scouting for fresh faces

For eight successful years, actress Roopa Iyer in association with India Classic Arts has been providing a platform under the banner of ‘Mr and Miss Sandalwood’ for young talent. It also doubles up as a medium to spread awareness on cancer and HIV affected children.
The annual event was held in Ambedkar Bhavan where people from all walks of life came together to witness an entertaining mix of fashion, dance and a talent hunt. Said Roopa, “It’s such a great privilege to have so many people gathered here for a good cause. Beauty today has crossed the realm of good grooming. One must appreciate beauty in all forms. I felt that if you have a charity show, no one will be interested. Such shows have a wider reach.”

The event started with a Bharatanatyam performance by a speech and hearing impaired girl Deepika Reddy. This was then followed by a dance performance by the Shadow team. The much awaited programme of the evening, the fashion show, began with a brief introduction of all the models. Dressed in their ethnic wear both male and female models, sashayed down the ramp with small children, looking their stunning best. Along with their introduction, the model made sure the children too got to say a few words.     It was only much later that Roopa told the audience that the children were either orphans, physically challenged or HIV positive and through the fashion show their small dreams would be realised. “Each of the models got to spend time with them and even train them to walk down the ramp. That way they are not only judged by their looks but also by how they handle the child,” she adds. The fashion show then moved on to its second round — creative round — where the short-listed models, dressed in contemporary attire had to face questions not only from the judges but also from the audience.