Monday, February 6 2023
Top Posts
Here’s Why ‘De-Influencing’ is the New Influencing Trend...
Trailblazer Sana Khan is Pakistan’s First ACCA Qualified...
Interesting Facts About North Nazimabad, Karachi’s New AC...
Pakistani Artist Iman Sara Is The First to...
Karachi: Shaheen Afridi & Ansha Tie the Knot
Pakistan’s First Women-Led Honey Brand Asqurr is Empowering...
Pakistan’s Textile Crisis: Women Are Suffering from Unemployment...
8 First Pakistani Women Scientists in Their Respective...
Understanding Workplace Harassment Laws for Women in Pakistan
Govt. of Pakistan Launches First Ever Mental Health...
  • About Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Service
  • Contact Us
WOW 360
  • LEADHers
  • Culture
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Business
    • EFFIE AWARDS 2021 EFFIE AWARDS 2022 Entrepreneur Media Marketing Startups Success Stories Sustainability All
      Business

      CEO’s Share Inspirational Stories on the Different Challenges They Faced

      January 26, 2022

      EFFIE AWARDS 2021

      PAS Holds its Second Virtual Effie Awards Gala Night

      July 15, 2021

      EFFIE AWARDS 2021

      Effie Awards 2021: Categories & Winner’s List

      July 10, 2021

      Business

      Highlights from the Effie Awards Jury Sessions 2021

      June 30, 2021

      EFFIE AWARDS 2022

      Wives have the Right of Maintenance & Muslim Men Must Provide at all…

      August 5, 2022

      EFFIE AWARDS 2022

      Effie Awards 2022: Categories & Winner’s List

      April 2, 2022

      EFFIE AWARDS 2022

      Effie Awards 2022: Ehmer Kirmani, Imagery Producer & Film Director Talks About the…

      March 21, 2022

      EFFIE AWARDS 2022

      Leading Women in Pakistan’s Media Marketing & Advertising Industry Share Their Opinion on…

      March 3, 2022

      Entrepreneur

      Daraz & Femprow Come Together to Increase Contribution of Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan

      May 30, 2021

      Entrepreneur

      5 Women Led Food Business in Karachi That You Must Try

      February 7, 2021

      Entrepreneur

      Pakistan Moves Closer to Train One Million Youth with 100+ eCommerce and Digital…

      February 6, 2021

      Entrepreneur

      Untold Recipes by Nosheen Features Traditional Authentic Pakistani Food Recipes: Interview

      January 15, 2021

      Media Marketing

      Master MoltyFoam’s Latest Ad Ft. Mahira Khan Highlights 1 of 4 Ever-Married Women…

      July 20, 2022

      Media Marketing

      Creating More Jobs for Women & Promoting Gender Equality: Khaadi Welcomes $25M Investment…

      May 31, 2022

      Media Marketing

      inDriver launches “Food Ka Pakistan” a Flavorful Journey Project in Collaboration with Bon…

      May 30, 2022

      Media Marketing

      Why Butterfly Sanitary Napkins are the Best & Women will be Disappointed if…

      May 27, 2022

      Startups

      Exclusive: Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner Tanzila Khan Makes Major Announcements

      June 29, 2022

      Startups

      5 Pakistani Women-Led Startups That Are Making Waves

      June 8, 2022

      Startups

      Pakistani Startups Raised $375M in 2021

      January 5, 2022

      Startups

      First Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s Fintech Space Raise $3 M for Oraan to…

      September 28, 2021

      Success Stories

      Pakistani Women-Led Startup ‘Sehat Kahani’ Makes it to Forbes’ Top 100 Companies to…

      September 14, 2022

      Success Stories

      Exclusive: Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner Tanzila Khan Makes Major Announcements

      June 29, 2022

      Success Stories

      “Women Can Accomplish Anything They Set Their Mind To” – Dr Suaad Al…

      June 25, 2022

      Success Stories

      5 Pakistani Women in Business & Technology Who Are Changing the World

      June 6, 2022

      Sustainability

      Ayesha Chundrigar Launches Eco-Friendly Handmade Pet Products Using Ocean Waste

      September 14, 2022

      Sustainability

      Aliza Ayaz, UN Ambassador for Climate Change Pens Down Heart-Felt Note About Failing…

      July 20, 2022

      Sustainability

      Exclusive: Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner Tanzila Khan Makes Major Announcements

      June 29, 2022

      Sustainability

      Alia Bhatt Makes a Sustainable Fashion Statement by Using 180 Textile Patches &…

      April 18, 2022

      Business

      5 Pakistani Women Who Are Paving Way for Females in Leadership Roles

      January 19, 2023

      Business

      Saira Hussain is Proudly Leading Female-Led Architectural Practices in the UK

      January 19, 2023

      Business

      Here’s How Dr. Habiba is Breaking Stereotyping in the Emerging Tech Market in…

      January 18, 2023

      Business

      Noorena Shams Joins Total PARCO Pakistan as Youth Ambassador

      January 16, 2023

  • News
    • News

      Unauthorized Influencers Banned from Entering Parliament House

      January 16, 2023

      News

      Justice Ayesha Malik & Sherry Rehman Make it to Forbes 50 Over 50

      January 14, 2023

      News

      WEATHER ALERT: Cold Wave as Low as 5°C to Grip Karachi in Upcoming…

      January 11, 2023

      News

      WOW360 Selected from Pakistan as a Recipient of the Google News Equity Fund

      December 27, 2022

      News

      Pakistan’s First Female SC Judge Ayesha Malik Featured in BBC’s 100 Most Influential…

      December 8, 2022

  • Tech
    • Technology

      Here’s Why ‘De-Influencing’ is the New Influencing Trend on TikTok

      February 4, 2023

      Technology

      Govt. of Pakistan Launches First Ever Mental Health App ‘Humraaz’ & Toll-Free Helpline

      February 1, 2023

      Technology

      Pakistani Content Creators Can Now Earn from YouTube Shorts

      January 13, 2023

      Technology

      IYZIL: Female Safety App & Everything You Need to Know

      December 9, 2022

      Technology

      Pakistan’s 10-year-old Musa Tanveer Becomes First YouTuber to get Diamond Play Button

      September 14, 2022

  • Sports
  • Video
    • Culture Effie Awards Entertainment LEADHers All
      Culture

      Dr. Mahwish Sharif is the First Hearing Impaired Doctor from Balochistan & an…

      May 31, 2022

      Culture

      IWD 2022: Sanam Saeed, an establish actress talks about how she chose to…

      March 8, 2022

      Culture

      IWD 2022: Rida, a mechanical engineer talks about how she chose to #breakthebias

      March 7, 2022

      Culture

      How to obtain Turkish citizenship with a Pakistani passport

      October 26, 2021

      Effie Awards

      CEO’s Share Inspirational Stories on the Different Challenges They Faced

      January 26, 2022

      Effie Awards

      Highlights from the Effie Awards Jury Sessions 2021

      June 30, 2021

      Effie Awards

      What does empowerment mean to you?

      February 18, 2021

      Effie Awards

      Effie Pakistan Jury Members Share Their Opinion: Local Brand Ambassador Vs Foreign Brand…

      February 16, 2021

      Entertainment

      Indian Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava to Direct Film on Pakistani Social Media Star Qandeel…

      May 18, 2022

      Entertainment

      WOW360 ‘Here & There ‘ with Ayesha Omar and Ahsan Khan Unveiling Rehbra

      April 25, 2022

      Entertainment

      In the spotlight with Mohib Mirza & Sanam Saeed on Ishrat Made in…

      March 3, 2022

      Entertainment

      Ali Rehman Khan is “On the Throne “ in Badshah Begum with WOW360

      March 1, 2022

      LEADHers

      Tanzila Khan is the First-Ever Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner from The…

      June 20, 2022

      LEADHers

      “Sports is an important platform to raise awareness on many important issues”, Rubab…

      March 16, 2022

      LEADHers

      Pakistan’s Leading Psychiatrist Dr Ayesha Mian Talks About COVID, Impact of Social Media,…

      January 28, 2022

      LEADHers

      WOW360 LEADHers featuring Dr Ayesha Mian (Pakistan’s leading psychologists) with Farhat Kapadia Mehboob

      January 14, 2022

      Video

      Tanzila Khan is the First-Ever Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner from The…

      June 20, 2022

      Video

      Dr. Mahwish Sharif is the First Hearing Impaired Doctor from Balochistan & an…

      May 31, 2022

      Video

      Candid Conversation with Sania Saeed on Kamli, a film by Sarmad Khoosat

      May 24, 2022

      Video

      Indian Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava to Direct Film on Pakistani Social Media Star Qandeel…

      May 18, 2022

Social Issues

Netflix’s ‘Indian Matchmaking’ Stirs Debate Over Culture of Arranged Marriages

by Hareem Zafar July 30, 2020
written by Hareem Zafar July 30, 2020
LEADHers

The new Netflix original series ‘Indian Matchmaking’ has stirred quite the debate amongst youngsters, on social media. The show has become a topic of discussion on women centric forums online with many highlighting the fundamental flaws ‘Indian Matchmaking’ glorifies.

Casually promoting classism, colorism and gender stereotypes is something that has triggered many females, especially single ones. Many believe that the Netflix show has glorified all that is wrong with how Indians perceive the institution of marriage.

On the other hand, despite many condemning the show and the Indian values it displays, it has also garnered attention for reflecting the true face of Indian/ South Asian culture.

Adaptive-Tec

The culture of arranged marriages depicted in the reality tv show is infact a true picture of Indian society where parents choose their children’s life partners, females are labelled as ‘unmarriageable’ after 30 while males have limitless options; they can demand a wife that is fair, beautiful, talented and willing to ‘compromise’ and ‘adjust’, and even uproot her entire life if needed, based on husband’s wishes.

Here is what one Twitterati had to say about the show:

Why are people shitting on #IndianMatchmaking for being sexist and casteist? The show is simply holding a mirror to the ugly society we are a part of. Also, here's an underrated dialogue from the show. Needs more traction pic.twitter.com/YzZef4KozR

— Vishaka George (@vishakasarah) July 18, 2020

Indian Matchmaking Show Details

The eight-episode series that premiered on Netflix on 16th July follows Sima Taparia, a 57-year-old elite marriage consultant and professional matchmaker, hailing from Mumbai. She travels across the globe, asking clients about their preferences and then handing over suitable ‘biodatas’ based on their demands and interest, and ultimately introducing the potential spouses.

The show navigates us through awkward first meet ups of the couples, and their respective families. The series garnered immense popularity in India and in the U.S. with Indians flooding the social media with memes and one-liners ever since its premiere; Even brands are using the show as references in their advertisements. Despite India progressing at a much faster rate, the arranged marriage culture is deeply rooted in the society.

The makers are facing backlash for the way the institution of arranged marriage is portrayed in the show and how the producers have failed to challenge or rectify regressive beliefs stated by some participants so openly.

A film critic named Poulomi Das said:

“The show gave Taparia, whose version of arranged marriage is [very outdated], free rein to peddle whatever she was saying as fact.”

Normalising Females as Meak & Submissive

A persistent theme during the show is that either one of the two needs to compromise when it comes to marriage- and that ‘either one’ is inevitably the woman.

Throughout the series, the female participants are asked to be more submissive, flexible, willing to adjust and compromise.

As young girls, women in the South East Asian societies are conditioned to be self-sacrificing, unselfish, sweet and humble when it comes to marriage and children. They are guilt tripped when thinking too much about their own self- and labelled as selfish and ‘bad mothers’ or ‘bad wives’ if they focus on their career and professional goals.

Taparia advises female clients to “adjust and compromise” when it comes to choosing their life partner.

We know, however, how this isn’t too far from the truth. Caste, class, colour, all remain critical aspects when marriage is decided in India and the majority still doesn’t get to choose just by themselves.

Here is what people had to say:

#IndianMatchmaking has normalised sexism, casteism, fatphobia and colorism too. I recommend it a 100% for hate-cringe-binge-watching. #Netflix#indianmatchmakingnetflix

— Anushka (@nushkaykay) July 23, 2020

Soooo who wants to join me in sending complaints to @NetflixIndia about the blatant #casteism and #colorism in #IndianMatchmaking (and also being sexist so much ugh)
This is where we can email I believe
content-complaints-india@netflix.com

— Ishmeet Nagpal (@IshmeetNagpal) July 17, 2020

It is painful to watch a liberal participant Geeta call marriage a mere ‘compromise’. But it is the definition of marriage inculcated in every girl’s mind since childhood. That you, being the woman must always adjust and bend and succumb to your partner’s wishes. “Life is never equal”, they are told.

Watch the official Trailer below:

Promoting Colorism & Gender Stereotypes

Critics have highlighted that one of the biggest flaws of the show is how it has glorified the dark roots of arranged marriage as something harmless and convenient.

Moreover, India’s obsession with ‘fair skinned’ girls has also been promoted in the show. Several times in the show, Sima Taparia casually mentions “fair skinned” as one of the preferential qualities of a good match.

Colorism is rampant in India. And we need shows that negate this regressive belief rather than normalizing it. After the whole #BlackLivesMatterMovement, when then world is speaking against biasness, discrimination and prejudice against dark skinned people, the show casually marks it as one of the superior qualities in a promising match.

Das points out show does not reflect any context for this biasness:

“An obsession with fair skin can’t be a preference. It is a harmful, regressive brutality.”

Have you watched this show yet? What do you think about the culture of arranged marriages in general? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay tuned for more news and updates.

indian matchmaking shownetflix shows 2020netflix's indian matchmaking
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Hareem Zafar

previous post
All That’s Coming to Netflix in August 2020
next post
Meet Amna, Pakistan’s First Female Youtuber With 3.5 Million Subscribers

Related Posts

Understanding Workplace Harassment Laws for Women in Pakistan

February 2, 2023

Karachi’s Civilizations School’s Registration Revoked After Video of...

January 31, 2023

Transgenders Now Included Under Benazir Income Support Programme

January 30, 2023

Pakistani Woman Used as Forced Labour by Family,...

January 26, 2023

Lahore Incident: Scarsdale School Students Expelled, Including Victim!

January 25, 2023

Karachi: Father ‘Honour’ Kills Daughter in City Court...

January 24, 2023

T/W: Father Murders Daughter in Honour Killing Over...

January 23, 2023

Private Airline Allegedly Refuses to Fly Trans Passenger...

January 21, 2023

Group of Lahore Students Allegedly Attack & Torture...

January 21, 2023

Unmarried Girls Are Reluctant to Seek Treatment for...

January 20, 2023

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

wow360 Facebook
Subscribe wow 360 Youtube Channel
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
Footer Logo
  • About Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Service
  • Contact Us

@2021 - All Right Reserved.

WOW 360
  • LEADHers
  • Culture
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Business
    • EFFIE AWARDS 2021 EFFIE AWARDS 2022 Entrepreneur Media Marketing Startups Success Stories Sustainability All
      Business

      CEO’s Share Inspirational Stories on the Different Challenges They Faced

      January 26, 2022

      EFFIE AWARDS 2021

      PAS Holds its Second Virtual Effie Awards Gala Night

      July 15, 2021

      EFFIE AWARDS 2021

      Effie Awards 2021: Categories & Winner’s List

      July 10, 2021

      Business

      Highlights from the Effie Awards Jury Sessions 2021

      June 30, 2021

      EFFIE AWARDS 2022

      Wives have the Right of Maintenance & Muslim Men Must Provide at all…

      August 5, 2022

      EFFIE AWARDS 2022

      Effie Awards 2022: Categories & Winner’s List

      April 2, 2022

      EFFIE AWARDS 2022

      Effie Awards 2022: Ehmer Kirmani, Imagery Producer & Film Director Talks About the…

      March 21, 2022

      EFFIE AWARDS 2022

      Leading Women in Pakistan’s Media Marketing & Advertising Industry Share Their Opinion on…

      March 3, 2022

      Entrepreneur

      Daraz & Femprow Come Together to Increase Contribution of Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan

      May 30, 2021

      Entrepreneur

      5 Women Led Food Business in Karachi That You Must Try

      February 7, 2021

      Entrepreneur

      Pakistan Moves Closer to Train One Million Youth with 100+ eCommerce and Digital…

      February 6, 2021

      Entrepreneur

      Untold Recipes by Nosheen Features Traditional Authentic Pakistani Food Recipes: Interview

      January 15, 2021

      Media Marketing

      Master MoltyFoam’s Latest Ad Ft. Mahira Khan Highlights 1 of 4 Ever-Married Women…

      July 20, 2022

      Media Marketing

      Creating More Jobs for Women & Promoting Gender Equality: Khaadi Welcomes $25M Investment…

      May 31, 2022

      Media Marketing

      inDriver launches “Food Ka Pakistan” a Flavorful Journey Project in Collaboration with Bon…

      May 30, 2022

      Media Marketing

      Why Butterfly Sanitary Napkins are the Best & Women will be Disappointed if…

      May 27, 2022

      Startups

      Exclusive: Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner Tanzila Khan Makes Major Announcements

      June 29, 2022

      Startups

      5 Pakistani Women-Led Startups That Are Making Waves

      June 8, 2022

      Startups

      Pakistani Startups Raised $375M in 2021

      January 5, 2022

      Startups

      First Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s Fintech Space Raise $3 M for Oraan to…

      September 28, 2021

      Success Stories

      Pakistani Women-Led Startup ‘Sehat Kahani’ Makes it to Forbes’ Top 100 Companies to…

      September 14, 2022

      Success Stories

      Exclusive: Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner Tanzila Khan Makes Major Announcements

      June 29, 2022

      Success Stories

      “Women Can Accomplish Anything They Set Their Mind To” – Dr Suaad Al…

      June 25, 2022

      Success Stories

      5 Pakistani Women in Business & Technology Who Are Changing the World

      June 6, 2022

      Sustainability

      Ayesha Chundrigar Launches Eco-Friendly Handmade Pet Products Using Ocean Waste

      September 14, 2022

      Sustainability

      Aliza Ayaz, UN Ambassador for Climate Change Pens Down Heart-Felt Note About Failing…

      July 20, 2022

      Sustainability

      Exclusive: Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner Tanzila Khan Makes Major Announcements

      June 29, 2022

      Sustainability

      Alia Bhatt Makes a Sustainable Fashion Statement by Using 180 Textile Patches &…

      April 18, 2022

      Business

      5 Pakistani Women Who Are Paving Way for Females in Leadership Roles

      January 19, 2023

      Business

      Saira Hussain is Proudly Leading Female-Led Architectural Practices in the UK

      January 19, 2023

      Business

      Here’s How Dr. Habiba is Breaking Stereotyping in the Emerging Tech Market in…

      January 18, 2023

      Business

      Noorena Shams Joins Total PARCO Pakistan as Youth Ambassador

      January 16, 2023

  • News
    • News

      Unauthorized Influencers Banned from Entering Parliament House

      January 16, 2023

      News

      Justice Ayesha Malik & Sherry Rehman Make it to Forbes 50 Over 50

      January 14, 2023

      News

      WEATHER ALERT: Cold Wave as Low as 5°C to Grip Karachi in Upcoming…

      January 11, 2023

      News

      WOW360 Selected from Pakistan as a Recipient of the Google News Equity Fund

      December 27, 2022

      News

      Pakistan’s First Female SC Judge Ayesha Malik Featured in BBC’s 100 Most Influential…

      December 8, 2022

  • Tech
    • Technology

      Here’s Why ‘De-Influencing’ is the New Influencing Trend on TikTok

      February 4, 2023

      Technology

      Govt. of Pakistan Launches First Ever Mental Health App ‘Humraaz’ & Toll-Free Helpline

      February 1, 2023

      Technology

      Pakistani Content Creators Can Now Earn from YouTube Shorts

      January 13, 2023

      Technology

      IYZIL: Female Safety App & Everything You Need to Know

      December 9, 2022

      Technology

      Pakistan’s 10-year-old Musa Tanveer Becomes First YouTuber to get Diamond Play Button

      September 14, 2022

  • Sports
  • Video
    • Culture Effie Awards Entertainment LEADHers All
      Culture

      Dr. Mahwish Sharif is the First Hearing Impaired Doctor from Balochistan & an…

      May 31, 2022

      Culture

      IWD 2022: Sanam Saeed, an establish actress talks about how she chose to…

      March 8, 2022

      Culture

      IWD 2022: Rida, a mechanical engineer talks about how she chose to #breakthebias

      March 7, 2022

      Culture

      How to obtain Turkish citizenship with a Pakistani passport

      October 26, 2021

      Effie Awards

      CEO’s Share Inspirational Stories on the Different Challenges They Faced

      January 26, 2022

      Effie Awards

      Highlights from the Effie Awards Jury Sessions 2021

      June 30, 2021

      Effie Awards

      What does empowerment mean to you?

      February 18, 2021

      Effie Awards

      Effie Pakistan Jury Members Share Their Opinion: Local Brand Ambassador Vs Foreign Brand…

      February 16, 2021

      Entertainment

      Indian Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava to Direct Film on Pakistani Social Media Star Qandeel…

      May 18, 2022

      Entertainment

      WOW360 ‘Here & There ‘ with Ayesha Omar and Ahsan Khan Unveiling Rehbra

      April 25, 2022

      Entertainment

      In the spotlight with Mohib Mirza & Sanam Saeed on Ishrat Made in…

      March 3, 2022

      Entertainment

      Ali Rehman Khan is “On the Throne “ in Badshah Begum with WOW360

      March 1, 2022

      LEADHers

      Tanzila Khan is the First-Ever Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner from The…

      June 20, 2022

      LEADHers

      “Sports is an important platform to raise awareness on many important issues”, Rubab…

      March 16, 2022

      LEADHers

      Pakistan’s Leading Psychiatrist Dr Ayesha Mian Talks About COVID, Impact of Social Media,…

      January 28, 2022

      LEADHers

      WOW360 LEADHers featuring Dr Ayesha Mian (Pakistan’s leading psychologists) with Farhat Kapadia Mehboob

      January 14, 2022

      Video

      Tanzila Khan is the First-Ever Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner from The…

      June 20, 2022

      Video

      Dr. Mahwish Sharif is the First Hearing Impaired Doctor from Balochistan & an…

      May 31, 2022

      Video

      Candid Conversation with Sania Saeed on Kamli, a film by Sarmad Khoosat

      May 24, 2022

      Video

      Indian Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava to Direct Film on Pakistani Social Media Star Qandeel…

      May 18, 2022