Skin lightening: why do Tamil women do it?

Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. She meets make-up artist, Kavi, and they discuss why Tamil women still try to make their skin lighter. Is it a hangover from Sri Lanka's colonial past? (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

This content was published on July 6, 2017 - 17:00

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When your parents hate your career choices

This content was published on Jun 29, 2017 Swiss-born Tama Vakeesan has Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Both she and her friend from Cameroon had trouble with their parents and career choices.

Tama, her brother, and the child asylum seekers at a refugee centre take a selfie

Re-visiting a refugee centre

This content was published on Jun 22, 2017 Tama Vakeesan visits a refugee centre for the first time since she herself was an asylum- seeker. Her Tamil parents fled the war in Sri Lanka.

Let the beat go on!

This content was published on Jun 8, 2017 Tama's friend Priya Ragu, a Swiss-born ethnic Tamil, explains how hard it is making her way in the music world without her parents' support.

Me and my mum

This content was published on Jun 15, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to parents from Sri Lanka. She speaks with her mother who explains what it was like to leave her home country.

Tama and the #Pussyhats

This content was published on May 25, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. In this episode, she takes part in the Zurich Women’s March and finds out why demonstrators are wearing pink “Pussyhats”, and how their four-legged allies are protesting too. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

Under suspicion

This content was published on Jun 1, 2017 Tama meets her friend Mondher, who is Swiss with Tunisian roots. He tells how not looking Swiss has got him into trouble.

What our food says about us

This content was published on May 18, 2017 Tama Vakeesan meets up with her friend Zoe, born in Switzerland to Greek parents, to find out whose mum is the best cook.

So what if I wear a headscarf?

This content was published on May 11, 2017 Tama Vakeesan finds out how wearing a headscarf affects the lives of some of her friends. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

My town – ordinary but extraordinary

This content was published on May 4, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. She shows us her favourite places in her home town.

My big fat Tamil wedding

This content was published on Apr 27, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Tama and her best friends have a clear vision of their dream man.

Swiss or Tamil? Caught in the middle

This content was published on Apr 18, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Sometimes she doesn’t know where she belongs.

Skin lightening: why do Tamil women do it?

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