Suchismita Chattopadhyay has been researching grooming institutions in Delhi for the last 5 years. In an industry that seems to be widespread and competitive but not much has been written about, it wasn’t easy to gain access to those spaces. She discusses the process and some of her key findings with host Kavitha Devadas, who looks at the ways how these schools serve a purpose to bring together people as an unexplored space for community and camaraderie.

Mind Your Manners Official Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY2ggzY6lyo

Extraordinary Communication Skills by Sandeep Maheshwari https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VczVqHJW0gg

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The stakes are high as traditional ways of thinking about gender roles, relationships, marriage, clash with modern values. What is the identity of a person outside of these social roles, relations and obligations they have? 

In this episode, the host Kavitha Devadas talks to Mohd. Ilyaz Shamshi from the Family Institute, Pria Warrick, and Neha Gupta to understand what kind of a home and a society are brides and grooms being trained for in finishing schools. 

Shownotes:

Pria Warrick Finishing School
Neha Gupta - Image Coach and Stylist
The Finishing School

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Episode 3 of Made to Order looks at some of the changes finishing schools have undergone, particularly with how they now have male clients and students. While the reasons for women attending or being sent to finishing schools seems more obvious, why are men attending these schools? What is their experience and how does that align with societal expectations? Host Kavitha Devadas finds out by speaking to Sugandha Mittal of Confianza school, as well Dhruv Sharma and Akshay Mashenka, two male students who have completed these courses but for different reasons.

Times of India: Finishing schools in Chennai evolve to enrol young men
A Finishing School for Men
British Butler Institute: Finishing school for men
GroomX: Bangalore’s first finishing school for men
Confianza finishing school

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The rebrand of finishing schools for today's context has meant they now appeal to everyone who has the means and resources to access them. But they are emblematic of ways in which society perceives the role of women. Even before finishing schools, women begin to train themselves for these roles. 

In episode 2, host Kavitha Devadas speaks to finishing school alums - Jyostna Kanted and Pooja Nagesh about their experience undertaking courses at finishing schools and the impact on their lives. Kauser Khan, one of the people running these schools, helps us understand why change is hard and slow to come. 

Home Science Courses in India
Good Shepherd Finishing School
Good Shepherd Finishing School  - Youtube promo video
Protocol Finishing School

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Finishing schools are a thriving but not a widely researched and understood phenomena in India. They exist in cities, small towns, and now increasingly in the digital space as they attempt to rebrand themselves for the modern client. Despite this, they continue to focus on women and appeal to both the aspirational and conservative values in our society. In this first episode of the series, host Kavitha Devadas examines the history and inner workings of these courses and schools. She speaks to Saloni Duggal, Kauser Khan and Divya Nandakumar  - who have been running finishing schools to understand from their perspective what a finishing school can, and cannot do. 

Florina Finishing School
Protocol Finishing School
Poornatva Finishing School
Lucy Clayton Charm School

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From Suno India productions, Made to Order is a new podcast that explores finishing schools, personality development courses and makeovers classes in India. Antiquated ideas about women being taught etiquette and social graces have been reinvented for the modern times. How have things changed? Have they really changed? Where does the personal desire to better yourself begin, and the social pressure to fit in end? As we shine a light on finishing schools, they too hold a mirror back to the society we live in.

Join host Kavitha Devadas in this limited series to listen to the stories of the people who know this world the best.

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