Blind dating shows are always interesting to watch! It reminds us that true love emerges from shared experiences, interests, and personalities. Imagine a Tamil blind dating show that works to share the experiences and challenges of young Tamils living in a western society. Well that is what Dating While Tamil is all about!
The past few Wednesday evenings have been exciting ones for many Tamils across the globe; a new episode of Dating While Tamil was launched every week.
Created by TamilCulture and myTamilDate, only 8 individuals made the cut to star on the show that had over 100 applicants. The starring contestants were anywhere from 23 to 38 years old. They were matched based on various factors including age, personality, and hobbies.
Dating While Tamil is not like any other blind dating show, it delves into the personal experiences of these eight contestants about finding love in a busy world, also while juggling the balance between being Tamil and Canadian.
The show was also a way to discuss topics that often have mixed views. In one episode, the idea of therapy was discussed, and the pair had slightly differing opinions on the matter. During a game where contestants were asked to put up a green flag or red flag for the questions that were asked, one of the contestants put up a green flag when asked about her perception of therapy. However, her pair put up a red flag. His reasoning was that he feels that he does not need therapy.
Overall, The show gives viewers a deeper understanding of the concept of youth navigating love while balancing their dual cultures, as someone with a Tamil and Canadian background. One of the contestants mentioned that watching Tamil movies has played a major role in shaping his view of love, resulting in him only dating people within the community.
What do audiences say about this?
According to one of the producers, Keerthana Ravigulan, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I think people thought it was refreshing because we did dive into some taboo topics that we wouldn’t be comfortable talking about with our parents,” she said.
One viewer commented:
“So curious about a show for our diaspora Tamils by Tamils. Thanks for putting out this content!”
Many Tamil youth say show serves as a cultural shift for the Tamil community.
“ I feel like it is definitely a really big milestone for a lot of youth Tamils and Tamil communities given that it’s breaking a whole social norm from how the dating game was throughout the generations,” one student says.
Others wish they had a show like this when they grew up.
“In this busy world, everyone is work work work, and it was really hard for me to find time to plan dates with my husband. By having this show, it allows for Tamil singles to go on dates without having to do all the planning. It’s almost like having a broker,” one source says.
The show marks a pivotal moment in Tamil history, while opening the door for many Tamils to step out of their comfort zones, and challenge the norm.
It’s evident that this show strives to be more than just entertaining, it marks a pivotal moment in Tamil history, while opening the door for many Tamils to step out of their comfort zones.
As the season has concluded, applications for the second season are now open, in hopes of opening the door for open conversations about Dating While Tamil!
Sign up to be a cast member for Season 2 of our hit blind dating show - Dating While Tamil
