Those arranged marriage websites... you know the ones.

Hi everyone and welcome back to another episode of Modern Malayali! We’ve all heard of them, chaavara, m4marry, shaadi. com, those websites our parents swear by when it’s time to 'start looking'.In this episode, I sit down with my special friend, Aparna, and we talk about what it’s really like being on these sites. We talk about setting up profiles (or having them set up for us), going through countless profiles our parents shove in front of us, and awkwardly pretending to be excited about complete strangers who might become your life partner. We also share our experiences about some of the people we have spoken to, some of the insecurities and doubts we've had, and of course managing expectations from our parents.We chat about the good side too, like how these platforms have actually helped people find their partners (like in my case!), or like how this process has helped refine or shape the kind of person you are looking for.It’s a funny, honest, and very relatable conversation about culture, family expectations, and finding love in the most Malayali way possible. --------------------------------------------------------About the Modern Malayali podcast:Have you ever wondered how other Malayalis live their lives outside of Kerala?I have. I've always been curious about how other Malayalis navigate their culture while living very modern, Western lives. I’m talking about the influence our culture has had on the decisions and choices we've made — from choosing a career path to choosing a life partner, from how we talk about mental health to how we spend our free time. This is a podcast where Malayalis from all over the world can connect and share stories. We’re all in this together, and I’m sure many of us have had similar experiences. Hopefully, one of these episodes will inspire or reassure you that you're not alone in this. -------------------------------------------------------- To stay up to date with new episodes and upcoming guests, find me on Instagram and TikTok! Instagram and TikTok are also a great way to connect with me, and to let me know if you’re interested in being on the show! -------------------------------------------------------- Music by Kalpesh Ajugia from Pixabay.