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Chronicles of Nadiya

54 replies

MakemineaGandT · 24/08/2016 21:53

Anyone watching? I think it's fantastic. So interesting to learn about Bangladeshi/Muslim culture through her eyes. She's such a genuine, warm and thoughtful person. If you happen to see this Nadiya - very well done and thank you!

OP posts:
SarahJayneD · 25/08/2016 09:34

She is just a natural, such warmth as a person.

AlwaysStarving · 25/08/2016 22:38

Loved it and as a Bengali I laughed and cried through most of the things she said. Soo much to relate too and was great to see Bangladesh in a positive light on the tv!

OutDamnedWind · 25/08/2016 22:57

We didn't plan to watch it, it came on before we turned over, but both DP and I sat and watched it all. She is so utterly natural. Can't wait for the next episode - can't remember the last time I thought that about a TV programme!

Lulooo · 26/08/2016 19:40

I echo all the sentiments here. Was a really lovely programme and some things were so personal and so honest. I'm also a British Muslim and although my connection with my grandfather's home in India is much less than Nadiya's there are so many things that resonate with me.

I also had an arranged marriage and an extremely happy and in love with my DH. When she mentioned how a bride should be downcast it brought back memories of my own wedding. In our culture a bride cries bucket loads when she leaves her parents home to make a life in her marital home. It signifies a new life and leaving behind family members to make a new family. Also signifies how a daughter is treated like a princess of the home and showered with love and attention in her parents home whereas once she moves with her in-laws she's expected to take responsibilities and life's not so carefree and indulgent anymore.
I remember everyone around me crying whereas I didn't shed a tear as I felt nothing but excitement at the prospect of making a life with my DH. I didn't cry and people thought I was weird. Wink I was also excited at the prospect of sex and losing my virginity

I cry at most weddings since though. I guess with maturity and experience, I understand it better.

ShelaghTurner · 26/08/2016 19:53

I've just watched it. She's utterly gorgeous, friendly, honest, warm and so good in front of the camera.

Aside from that it's a very good, enjoyable programme. Interesting because some of what she was saying about feeling split between two countries echoes how I feel - nothing as exotic as Bangladesh though, just Ireland! I spent every holiday there too till I got married but didn't see much outside 'our' couple of counties. But it made me feel Irish in England and English in Ireland!

Looking forward to next week and as I only watch three programmes a year that's a big deal for me! Wink

SoupDragon · 31/08/2016 21:02

Ohhhhh.. It's only a two part series.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 31/08/2016 21:23

This episode is lovely. She is quite funny!

SoupDragon · 31/08/2016 21:29

Otters!

changingnameforthispost · 31/08/2016 21:59

I officially heart Nadiya! She is so warm and bright, and I hope she does many more programmes.

ShelaghTurner · 31/08/2016 21:59

Oh so sad that's the end of it. Would love more.

stripeyduvet · 31/08/2016 22:03

I enjoyed it but I also felt sad that a woman in her 30's with kids has to feel brave to visit a market because she's been so sheltered.

LuchiMangsho · 31/08/2016 22:31

I think there's a little more to that than sheltering. I'm the same age, grew up in a city across the border in India. I'm also Bengali. We are quite westernised- my experience of South Asian village life is non existent (my parents are professors). Despite all this, I've been sheltered from a market like that. My mum goes to a market like that, but I've been sheltered from it and having lived abroad for 18 years now, would find it hard to tackle a market like that. It's quite difficult as a young woman anyway, and then the smells can be quite overpowering. There will be chickens being butchered right next to you as you are buying your vegetables- their necks being wrung. It is quite overwhelming. I'm not surprised she was sheltered from it!

omri · 31/08/2016 22:39

That's really interesting Luchi.

What an insightful and personal program. Wish there had been a few more episodes. I felt I was there with her in Bangladesh- a country I knew very little about before.

I'm a huge fan of Nadiya. Hoping to see more of her in the future. BBC have unwittingly discovered a natural star. Who couldn't but love her??!

omri · 31/08/2016 22:49

I was also watching it imagining Mary Berry watching it and being so proud of Nadiya. I think she really warmed to her.

ShelaghTurner · 01/09/2016 00:03

She really is a discovery. I loved her in Bake Off but since last year I'd forgotten her a bit and was getting to wondering when they were going to stop milking her (not her fault!). After all, reality tv stars are generally a terribly uninspiring lot. But within seconds of last week's ep it all came back and my goodness she is so good in front of the camera, she's a joy to watch. More Nadiya please!

SoupDragon · 01/09/2016 10:37

Have any of the other winners done this sort of thing? I think Martha, who didn't win, had a book out but that's it.

squoosh · 01/09/2016 10:41

I think all the winners (and some of the runners up) have had a book published and I'm sure I saw John from a couple of years ago fronting a show on the Food channel but no one has had the profile or level of success that Nadiya's had.

She is very watchable isn't she?

Gnome134 · 01/09/2016 14:27

Missed the first episode, but watched last night. It was really interesting, and I was impressed with how natural Nadiya was at presenting. May she go on to do more!

justasecond · 01/09/2016 16:35

I loved it too, she really is a natural on camera and I hope to see much more from her. What said about her wedding day and arranged marriage totally resonated with me too. I have been married for 15 happy years but would never do the same with my dc. Both dh and I can't bear to look at our wedding pictures, we both look petrified!

90daychallenger · 01/09/2016 16:43

I started having doubts when her husband said he didn't mind looking after his own children and that he was happy to 'let' her go to Bangladesh.

I switched off permanently when her and her cousin went shopping and her cousin seemed to love the idea of 'keeping' her hair just for her husband and the idea of her husband calling her his 'jewel'.

I couldn't physically watch this kind of misogynistic claptrap.

SoupDragon · 01/09/2016 16:52

Yawn

elephantoverthehill · 01/09/2016 16:53

I just really admire her genuine enthusiasm about everything. I wish I could be quite so positive.

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 01/09/2016 17:10

Nadiya is really lovely and comes across as very warm, funny and caring.

I admired how she explained in a matter of fact way why she covers her hair and dresses modestly.

Other reality show 'celebs' could learn a lot from her.

allthecarbs · 01/09/2016 17:14

I don't usually watch cooking type shows but I loved her on gbbo so thought I'd give it a go - I loved it! She's so relatable and warm, really hope we see more of her.

NoahVale · 01/09/2016 20:57

I couldn't physically watch this kind of misogynistic claptrap.

may be you should enlighten yourself 90day, to other people's attitudes and upbringing. wouldnt hurt.

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