Preview: Am I Old? by Sharul Channa

Fresh from a laugh out loud stand-up performance on Valentine’s Day, local comedian and actress Sharul Channa’s is already hurtling into her next performance of 2020. Following on from the stellar character work she’s displayed in Disco Sheela and Other Indian Superwomen (2018) and Crazy Poor Sita (2019, for which she was nominated for a Life! Theatre Award for Best Actress), this March, Sharul is set to … Continue reading Preview: Am I Old? by Sharul Channa

Preview: Kalaa Utsavam 2019 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Back for its 18th edition, the Esplanade’s Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of the Arts returns this Deepavali season to present another 10 exciting days of the very best artists from across the Indian diaspora, presenting both traditional and contemporary works – and sometimes, a mix of both to keep us both rooted as we move into the future. Much of Kalaa Utsavam’s line-up this year … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam 2019 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

The Banter: An Interview with Akshita Nanda, Author of Beauty Queens of Bishan

Since the last time we spoke to author Akshita Nanda, her life has taken quite the turn. No longer an arts correspondent with The Straits Times, Akshita has gone back to hitting the books, not only pursuing a Masters in International Affairs but also getting ready to release her sophomore novel – Beauty Queens of Bishan. From its blurb alone, Beauty Queens of Bishan already feels … Continue reading The Banter: An Interview with Akshita Nanda, Author of Beauty Queens of Bishan

Review: Papa directed by Sharul Channa

Sharul Channa and co celebrate Father’s Day with this heartfelt performance. With the many expectations thrust upon them, fathers don’t have it easy in Asian society, from being a disciplinarian to a breadwinner, to quite simply, figuring out how to be a good parent. It is timely then, that local stand up comedian Sharul Channa has chosen this particular Father’s Day weekend to premiere a … Continue reading Review: Papa directed by Sharul Channa

Preview: Papa directed by Sharul Channa

If you grew up with an Asian father, you might remember him as someone gruff, cold, and not at all that good at communicating his feelings. And therein lies the complicated relationship between Asian fathers and their kids, something stand-up comedian Sharul Channa has taken inspiration from in her brand new work Papa as it premieres this Father’s Day. On the inspiration behind the work, Sharul … Continue reading Preview: Papa directed by Sharul Channa

Review: Crazy Poor Sita by Sharul Channa

Sharul Channa lets her acid humour take a backseat to this timely character drama about the underclass of Singapore. Better known for her sharp tongue and razor wit, stand up comedian Sharul Channa has lately, been delving into a somewhat different brand of performance lately, exploring her actor side with character work that’s seen her transform into women of all backgrounds. In the International Women’s … Continue reading Review: Crazy Poor Sita by Sharul Channa

Crazy Poor Sita: An Interview with Sharul Channa On Her Newest Show

Comedian extraordinaire Sharul Channa may be better known for her acid-tongued acerbic wit and jabs, but last year, surprised us with a series of dramatic monologues presenting the stories of various women in the Indian community at Kalaa Utsavam 2018. Now, Sharul is back to kickstart her 2019 season with a brand new show that continues to build on that craft, with Crazy Poor Sita premiering in … Continue reading Crazy Poor Sita: An Interview with Sharul Channa On Her Newest Show

Book Review: Nimita’s Place by Akshita Nanda

Parallel narratives of an Indian grandmother during Partition and her granddaughter in modern day Singapore make for a satisfying debut.  Reading Nimita’s Place feels a little like moving in to a new house – to an ethnically Chinese person reading this, the parallel narratives seen through the eyes of both protagonists present worlds that are rapidly changing, initially unfamiliar, yet places that Akshita eases us into to … Continue reading Book Review: Nimita’s Place by Akshita Nanda

Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Bali by Adishakti Theatre (Review)

Adishakti Theatre delivers both monkey business and human emotion in equal amounts in this surprisingly powerful fringe show. The Hindi epic The Ramayana is an account of the heroic deeds performed by the hero Rama, often considered a ‘champion of dharma’, or righteous deeds. But as we all know, morality exists in shades of grey, and when put to close examination, one comes to realise … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Bali by Adishakti Theatre (Review)

Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Disco Sheela and Other Indian Superwomen by Sharul Channa (Review)

Not all superheroes wear capes – sometimes they wear a sari.  While we’re very much used to hearing Sharul Channa let loose her signature pottymouth, in a changeup from her usual style of comedy, Sharul attempts to break new ground with Disco Sheela and Other Indian Superwomen. Distinct from her previous performances, Disco Sheela sees the leading female comedian take on brand new characters across four monologues, highlighting the … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Disco Sheela and Other Indian Superwomen by Sharul Channa (Review)