Many people, regardless of religion or ethnicity, are drawn to the Middle East because of the dramatic shifts taking place there. The use of social media, education, and entertainment are helping to unite disparate communities. Is it possible to use comedy, which is traditionally seen as “light” entertainment, as a diplomatic tool? After launching a…
CHICAGO — Over 400 people attended a joint Hindu-Jewish Festival of Lights in a suburban Chicago synagogue on Sunday, where the two holidays, Hanukkah and Diwali, were commemorated. Temple Beth-El in Northbrook, Illinois, held the event, which included speakers, candle lighting, food from both cultures, dance classes, and the world’s only Indian-Jewish standup comedian. Similar…
Samson’s solo presentation follows him from the shattered streets of Mumbai to the twisted streets of San Francisco, capturing his Indian Jewish upbringing, becoming an American citizen, and adopting an Afghan child. His show has been featured on NBC, CBS, NPR, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Abhay N. is the opening act. Mahatma Moses, also…
Next Sunday, Mahatma Moses’ Comedy Caravan features award-winning, clean, and witty standup comedy with Indian-Jewish comic Mahatma Moses as Samson Koletkar and friends in two shows (June 23). At 5 p.m., Koletkar will appear in a Marathi language show alongside Abhay Paranjape, Meg David, Shruti Nimkar, and Adwait Paranjpe. At 8 p.m., Koletkar will perform…
On Sunday, June 23, Mahatma Moses’ Comedy Caravan will perform two hilarious, yet very different acts at the Firehouse Arts Center. Samson Koletkar, an Indian-Jewish stand-up comedian, and his special guests deliver a barrage of clean and intelligent comedy, complete with bizarre stories about growing up Jewish in India, becoming an American citizen, and adopting…
On Sunday, June 23, Mahatma Moses’ Comedy Caravan will perform two hilarious, yet very different acts at the Firehouse Arts Center. Samson Koletkar, an Indian-Jewish stand-up comedian, and his special guests deliver a barrage of clean and intelligent comedy, complete with bizarre stories about growing up Jewish in India, becoming an American citizen, and adopting…
Samson Koletkar, a Bay Area comedian, is a founder and performer with the Desi Comedy Tour, which runs until August 21. The Desi Comedy Tour, founded by Bay Area artists Samson Koletkar (dubbed “the world’s only Indian Jewish standup comedian”) and Abhay Nadkarni in 2014, featured 11 South Asian performers and four concerts. However, the…
Samson Koletkar is the only Indian Jewish stand-up comedian in the world. Koletkar, who was born and bred in Mumbai, has a refreshingly astute approach to humor. The ‘Mahatma Moses Comedy Tour’ is his brainchild. On to the stage, an Indian, a Jew, and an Indian Jew… Doesn’t this sound like a set-up for a…
Every week in Curtain Raisers, we invite a local theater artist to attend and discuss a show of his or her choice. Anjan Biswas, a comedian, recently went to the Westside Theatre to witness Peter Gethers and Daniel Okrent’s “Old Jews Telling Jokes,” directed by Marc Bruni. Mr. Biswas’ new show “What’s an Anjan?” will…
AJL caught up with comedian Samson Koletkar for an interview and a few chuckles in between concerts and a day job in the computer business. Koletkar is a Bene Israel who was born and reared in Mumbai but currently resides in San Francisco. He is unquestionably one of the top Bene Israel standup comedians now…