Vijai Nathan mortified her traditional Indian parents by giving up a career in journalism, cancelling her wedding and becoming a standup comedian — and she hasn’t looked back since.
Today, Nathan is one of the leading Indian American female comedians making people laugh across America and internationally too.
International comedy phenomenon Russell Peters calls her, “One of the top two South Asian comics in the world to watch!”
Nathan has performed in South Africa, England and Canada and was featured at the Montreal International Comedy Festival (Just for Laughs) and the Smirnoff International Comedy Festival. Washington, D.C. loves her, too — she’s performed at the Smithsonian Museum, Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, Library of Congress and won the award for Artistic Excellence from Speakeasy DC.
She’s gained attention from critics for her three solo shows: “Give Them Vagina: Tips from Mom, Dad & COSMO,” “Good Girls Don’t, But Indian Girls Do ” and “McGoddess: Big Macs, Karma & the American Dream.”
Credits include:
• NBC chose Nathan as one of the Nation’s Top 10 comics in their Stand-Up for Diversity Showcase in Los Angeles.
• TV appearances include: ABC News’ 20/20, PBS, The Oxygen Network, the BBC & UK Comedy Channel “The World Stands Up.”
• Back Stage Magazine named her one of the Top 10 Stand-Up Comics.
• Nathan had Standing-Room-Only performances during the Capital Fringe Festival debut of “Give Them Vagina: Tips from Mom, Dad & Cosmo” and featured at The Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival, The D.C. Comedy Festival and Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival.
Nathan grew up as a “foreigner” (or at least that what everyone called her) in the suburbs of Washington D.C., where she was born. Her material comes from her experience as an Indian girl in America — raising two immigrant parents, dating boys with mothers who wished their sons could find a nice blonde girl named Tiffany, and the universal quest for love, understanding and a good pair of undies.
Nathan appears June 26 at 7 p.m. at the Sid Williams Theatre. Tickets cost $30.
— English Entertainment
