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Queen Elizabeth II’s death sparks critique of the monarchy

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Queen Elizabeth II’s death sparks critique of the monarchy

As an Indian woman who lives to see a religiously-divided India today, it would be impossible for me to ignore that the origins of the religious strife can be traced back to the horrific British colonization and their heinous “divide and rule” land-conquering strategy. The list of harms done by the British Empire cannot possibly end at pitting religious communities against each other. The question for many of the once-colonized nations is not the scale of the offenses committed by the imperial power but what the monarchy can do next in mending the relationship between the United Kingdom and the rest of the Commonwealth. 

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‘Indian Matchmaking’ perpetrates harmful gender stereotypes

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Courtesy of Patina Photography.
The second season of “Indian Matchmaking” demonstrates that reality television often depicts situations and people in false, harmful ways that do not align with the experiences of people on the show.

By Jahnavi Pradeep ’23

Opinion Editor 


On August 10, 2022, Netflix reality show “Indian Matchmaking” returned for a second season, drawing audiences back into its trap of arranged marriage matchmaking fiascos. The first episode of the season — titled “I’ve Dated Lots of Chicks” — opens to host and professional matchmaker Sima Taparia happily attending the marriage of two of her clients. Against the backdrop of her successful project, Taparia expressed her joy in being a matchmaker, “First is marriage, then love. That is the beauty of these arranged marriages.” The season subsequently picks up for eight episodes of Taparia’s matchmaking trial and errors.

“Indian Matchmaking” brings a strong potential to the screen in explaining what Indian marriages look like. In an article for The Juggernaut, Ishani Nath explores how “Indian Matchmaking” is more than just a “dating show” as it is “introducing and shaping how a global audience understands the matchmaking industry.” In fashioning itself as a reality show intimately following the lives of an Indian host and her Indian clients, it offers what viewers may assume is an authentic representation of the Indian experience in the arranged marriage landscape. 

Unfortunately, both seasons disappoint. The second season shows no growth from the first and continues following the same apparently stubborn, upper middle-class clientele. Moreover, while carefully avoiding the controversial blunders of colorism from its first season, season two of “Indian Matchmaking” still resorts to dangerous stereotypes — one of the largest being sexism. As Nath aptly captures, the show begins to read as more of an “arranged marriage PR rather than a series based on reality.” The public relations scheme of the show bolsters single-sided narratives that subtly construct regressive ideas on arranged marriages wherein the Indian woman invariably gets left on the outside when not conforming to expected gender roles. 

The show’s double standard is apparent in the season’s differential treatment of returning female and male clients from season one — Aparna Shewakramani, Nadia Jagessar, Shekar Jayaraman and Pradhyuman Maloo. 

“The public relations scheme of the show bolsters single-sided narratives that subtly construct regressive ideas on arranged marriages wherein the Indian woman invariably gets left on the outside when not conforming to expected gender roles.”

Aparna Shewakramani, a Houston-based lawyer in her mid thirties and a client of Taparia’s, garnered significant negative attention in her first season. Taparia sets her up as a character with impossible dating criteria and an intolerable personality, resulting in failed talking stages that never move any further. 

After the first season, Shewakramani received immense online hate and death threats. As a response to her inaccurate portrayal on the series and its consequential cyberbullying, she wrote a book titled “She’s Unlikeable: And Other Lies that Bring Women Down.” Shewakramani discusses not just her challenging experience with Taparia but the role of “Indian Matchmaking” in presenting her in a one-dimensional light. In an interview with The Indian Express, she reminded audiences that reality shows are still fictionalized versions of reality: “It is my hope that people move forward in consuming media more responsibly. We should, of course, enjoy it for entertainment purposes but we should by no means take it as absolute truth.”

“Indian Matchmaking” negatively portrays confident, self-sufficient women as “unlikeable,” thereby concentrating only on these aspects of Shewakramani’s character. Season two shows how this problem is not only encouraged by Sima Taparia and her often outdated modes of thought, but also by the creators of the show. In season two, Shewakramani is no longer Taparia’s client but works as her own matchmaker. However, the construction of Shewakramani, while including more of her personal successes and journey as an individual, does not completely abandon its assertion of her unlikeability. Episode one of season two — “I’ve Dated Lots of Chicks” — opens to a changed Shewakramani. She reiterates the life formula she had created for herself, the essence of her season one quest — getting married, having children, maintaining her professional life and moving into a “McMansion.” She then asserts, “I’m done with the life I thought I wanted.” 

Situated in her New York City apartment, Shewakramani seems positioned for better things in her life and for the show. However, “Indian Matchmaking” does not follow through on portraying this stability. Instead, from this moment on, season two fails to sufficiently chart Shewakramani’s relationships, with similar unsuccessful dates to season one and a sudden disappearance midseason. As contributor Meha Razdan wrote for Buzzfeed News, “There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with Aparna’s storyline, per se, but without the tether of Sima, the viewer is left scratching their head wondering what this has to do with the matchmaking aspect.” 

“While sexism is a common reality in matchmaking, the show’s orientation does not tackle the dangers of this discrimination, but rather reinforces that any woman thinking outside of convention is set to lose when it comes to love, and is deserving of blame.”

It seems that Shewakramani is brought on the show merely to tap into the fame surrounding her book release. This becomes increasingly believable as none of Shewakramani’s fellow female stars on Indian Matchmaking are seen in a progressive light and are still portrayed as unlikeable when they break certain gender norms.

Nadia Jagessar is one such person. Throughout season two, Jagessar is made out to be unlikeable for supposedly breaking the heart of Shekar Jayaraman — another season one client — in pursuit of a younger man named Vishal Kalyanasundaram. 

At the end of season one, there seems to be a possibility, though not fully defined, of a romance between Jagesar and Jayaraman, one of Taparia’s other clients. When we return for season two, both Jagessar and Jayaraman are seemingly single and have the will-they or will-they-not date question lingering over their interactions. Jayaraman visitsJagessar’s house in episode one, cordially and warmly interacting with her whole family. He is immediately set up as a likable young suitor for Jagessar. However, the situation between the two is still in a gray area, with uncertainties looming from both sides. When Jagessar hosts a party for Taparia’s clients later in the same episode, she hits it off with the twenty-something Kalyanasundaram. Jagessar is immediately villainized for her behavior toward Jayaraman and belittled for her romance with a younger man. 

In an article for Indian Express, Nadia Jagessar explains how she never dated Jayaraman in the two and a half years she knew him and was hurt by how the show edited her story arc in the second season. The article discusses how Jagessar “noted that it is ‘unfortunate’ that the show edited it to look like she had broken Shekar's heart.” In looking for her own love interest and pursuing someone conventionally inappropriate, Jagessar is made unlikeable. She quickly disappears from the show after her fling with Kalyanasundaram comes to an end. The show erases Jagessar’s reality to replace it with a fictionalized account that reinforces the show’s idea that progressive women cannot function in the arranged marriage arena. Taparia’s failure as a matchmaker slowly nods in this direction as well, blaming women for the shortcomings of matchmaking in the modern age, rather than lauding them for breaking past convention, if anything. Jagessar and Shewakramani are molded into selfish creatures demanding the hate of audiences. 

The returning men of the show are inversely coddled. Jayaraman is depicted as the heartbroken man begging audiences for their sympathy. He still very much receives the show’s favor. Similarly, returning client Pradhyuman Maloo is glorified as a success story in the season. Like Shewakramani, he no longer is a client of Taparia’s and has found a wife on his own, at a party. Maloo was as stubborn — if not more — than his female counterparts during the first season. And yet, we are asked to forget all about it in the second season. He is instead given the Indian wedding everyone has been waiting for and does not disappear midseason without a grand send-off. He is even invited back to the show’s coveted married couple confessional couch with his wife for tips on his success story.

Reality shows, while based on the lives of real people, cannot be conflated with reality. The genre still alters and even fictionalizes narratives to suit the requirements of their shows. “Indian Matchmaking” is a clear example of this, altering the lives of its participants to suit certain narrative tropes that insist on an stereotypical arranged marriage system that cannot accept self-sufficient women. While sexism is a common reality in matchmaking, the show’s orientation does not tackle the dangers of this discrimination, but rather reinforces that any woman thinking outside of convention is set to lose when it comes to love, and is deserving of blame.

Unruly GOP behavior threatens American political decorum

On April 7, 2022, the U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, making her the first Black female to serve as justice. The 53-47 vote for Jackson highlighted the bipartisan support she received in the Senate. After two grueling days of intensive questioning regarding her judicial record and thoughts on controversial topics such as Critical Race Theory and abortion, Jackson’s appointment to the Supreme Court was celebrated by supporters as a groundbreaking win for Black women across the country.

Letter to the Editor: Senior Dance Concert connects heritage and performance

I scurried quickly to my spot on stage with my seven other dancers, waiting in anticipation for the work lights to fade to black. I listened to the slow hum of the audience behind the curtain, most likely captivated by the artistry of the previous dances. A much-deserved reaction, in my humble opinion. Even though I only did a light warm-up, I could feel the sweat clinging my black leotard onto my skin as I waited for the music to start.

Trans visibility means nothing without action

Trans visibility means nothing without action

Thursday, March 31, was the 13th International Trans Day of Visibility. The holiday was started by activist Rachel Crandall as a response to Trans Day of Remembrance in acknowledgment of living trans people. The day also emphasizes that we deserve to be seen and recognized for our presence. This past Thursday was the first to receive federal recognition, as President Joe Biden issued a proclamation declaring March 31 the nationwide Transgender Day of Visibility. But as protective bills hang with uncertainty in the House and Senate, states rush to pass anti-trans bills and trans people continue to be disproportionate victims of violence, it is increasingly clear that visibility will do nothing to protect trans people. What we need instead is action.

History is integral to a well-rounded liberal arts education

History is integral to a well-rounded liberal arts education

As of late, the Save Our Departments movement, a student group of the same name advocating for the preservation of the Mount Holyoke arts, languages and social sciences departments, has garnered attention across campus. As the College merges departments and cuts programs, some students are increasingly worried about what budget cuts will mean for their areas of study. As a prospective history major, I have a lot to lose from potential budget cuts and the downsizing of departments.

Legislative elections have international importance: India and the US

Legislative elections have international importance: India and the US

Content warning: this article mentions racialized violence.



2022 is already a year of turbulence with global wars, a pandemic and the anxiety of upcoming midterm elections in the United States. This election cycle may challenge the Democratic party’s majority in the House and their 50-member stake in the Senate. It is also a year of state legislative elections in India, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party could potentially be overturned in crucial electoral states like Uttar Pradesh. What makes this year of legislative assembly elections so important is the fact that it can dictate India and the U.S.’ moves toward tolerance.

Children should not be judged for having academic interests

Children should not be judged for having academic interests

The older I get, the more I realize how unfairly children and young adults with traditional academic interests are treated by both adults and their own peers. This criticism is a reflection of how intelligence is only valued in the classroom. This sentiment particularly affects children whose academic interests extend beyond the classroom. Furthermore, school has become less about actually learning new things and more about filling the requirements of academic proficiency that signifies success in education. Children are not being praised for being voracious readers because classes often treat reading as a checkpoint rather than a way to understand new material. Students whose interests aren’t being supported by their peers or teachers can feel as though their efforts and genuine interests don’t really matter. I know that was the case for me.

Reimagine your understanding of gender: pronouns do not equal gender identity

Reimagine your understanding of gender: pronouns do not equal gender identity

When we look at other people, we make instant assumptions about them, from the way they dress, act or even what they are interested in. These expectations can be damaging, not only because they are often untrue, but also because they can be incredibly hard to unlearn. This is often true for those who do not fit within the gender binary, and even more so for those who do not fit into the androgynous stereotype often ascribed to non-binary people. It is one thing to understand that gender identity, pronouns and gender expression are three separate categories, and it is another to actively deconstruct the notions of gender that place those groupings together.

Mount Holyoke must live up to its promise of providing a global liberal arts education

Mount Holyoke must live up to its promise of providing a global liberal arts education

Four years ago, a group of Mount Holyoke students organized a campaign aptly titled “Mount Holyoke Doesn’t Teach Me.” As archived by the Daily Hampshire Gazette in 2018, students at the time organized this campaign to address the lack of inclusion in our curriculum. The Gazette quoted several anonymous students who pointed out that Mount Holyoke fails to teach its students “that South Asian poets and authors are significant;” about “non-Western art history;” “about [their] culture without the colonizer’s perspective;” and about the “history of Muslim countries in an unbiased way.”

Good cinema and white cinema are not the same

Good cinema and white cinema are not the same

At the first meeting of Mount Holyoke’s Film Society, we discussed our plan for the semester’s screenings. I created a screening schedule featuring Black-centered films in February to honor Black History Month. It was also important that the club continue to show films led by people of color throughout the semester. The world of film criticism disproportionately recognizes white-centric cinema as the pinnacle of quality, even though filmmakers of color consistently produce remarkable work.

‘Dune’ proves that the white savior trope is alive and well

‘Dune’ proves that the white savior trope is alive and well

Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel “Dune” is a science-fiction classic that influenced the subsequent development of the genre. Dune is back in headlines following the 2021 film reboot, which is the second most nominated film at the Oscars this year. Herbert has faced criticism for his protagonist Paul Atreides who is a white messiah figure to the Indigenous people of planet Arrakis. At a roundtable conversation with a group of journalists, director Denis Villeneuve responded to the longstanding view that the source material glorified the white savior trope. “It’s a criticism of the idea of a savior, of someone that will come and tell another population how to be, what to believe,”' he said.

Selective celebration compromises the authenticity of history

Selective celebration compromises the authenticity of history

America has a systemic issue of selective storytelling to make history more digestible. While simplicity has its place, loss of nuance can be incredibly damaging when attempting to reckon with our past. There often seems to be a collective forgetfulness when engaging in harsh truths about historical events or people. This tendency to celebrate and recognize redeemable parts of history compromises its authenticity.

Ballet and body dysmorphia shouldn’t go hand-in-hand

Ballet and body dysmorphia shouldn’t go hand-in-hand

I have been dancing for as long as I can remember: since I started movement classes at the Lawrence Arts Center in my hometown at the age of two.

When I was around four or five, I was deemed ready to start ballet. By the time I was 14, I had been accepted into the Lawrence Ballet Theater, the pre-professional dance company at my studio. Throughout high school, I was a member of this company, adding more and more hours to my schedule to meet the demands of dancing at such an intense level. I went to the University of Kansas Dance Intensive every summer and participated in several productions a year, as well as worked with visiting choreographers who set pieces for the company.

Corporations and the CDC see disabled COVID-19 deaths as collateral damage

Corporations and the CDC see disabled COVID-19 deaths as collateral damage

Content warning: this article discusses ableism and mass death.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the lives of every human being for over two years. People are tired of restrictions, tired of fear and tired of putting their lives on hold for a virus that keeps spreading and mutating, especially as stubborn holdouts refuse to get vaccinated. This sentiment is entirely justified; I am annoyed and frustrated by how much my college experience and my early 20s have been negatively impacted by the virus. What is not justified, however, is the idea that we should normalize living with the virus and return to business as usual because it seems that people are now more likely to get it than not. Though this idea has recently taken hold in much of the United States, its roots lie in corporate greed. While the average vaccinated and boostered individual will likely avoid hospitalization and death if they contract the virus, as shown in a Jan. 7 study from the CDC, those who are immunocompromised and disabled may not. The fact that their concerns are being pushed to the side for the sake of returning to the status quo is horrifying to me, yet unfortunately, unsurprising.

PCOS treatment needs a focus on mental health

PCOS treatment needs a focus on mental health

When Sara Ali Khan, a famous Bollywood actress in India, endorsed a fitness app called “HealthifyMe,” her face was emblazoned on billboards all across the city of Mumbai. Khan claimed that she had lost over 80 pounds during her fitness journey. Khan has been candid about her struggle with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a hormonal disorder that causes irregular periods, weight gain, acne and [the production of] excess androgens due to the presence of cysts in the ovaries.

Embrace train travel: public transit should be supported within the United State

Embrace train travel: public transit should be supported within the United State

As my Amtrak train rumbled through the striking East Coast fall landscape, I wondered why I’d never traveled by rail before and questioned why train travel isn’t more ubiquitous across the country.

The U.S. is so vast, and air travel only lets us touch down in travel hubs. From my window, I got to see swamps and woods.

In spring 2021, Mount Holyoke created an environment set on driving students apart

In spring 2021, Mount Holyoke created an environment set on driving students apart

During the spring 2021 semester, the normally vibrant Mount Holyoke College was a ghost town. Walking across campus, you might’ve seen one or two other students also making the trek to the Dining Commons. We’d exchange our used plastic containers for new ones, get more food and return to our dorm rooms — the only place we were allowed to take off our masks or eat.

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