Queuing up for Brown Women Comedy for the third year in a row, I felt something I rarely feel before a comedy show — pride. 

Pride because South Asian women deserve this space. Pride because each year the show gets bigger and louder. And pride because, you know when you see brown people happily lining up for something? Whatever’s on the other side is about to blow your socks off.

And trust me, it does.

The magic of this show is that while it’s for brown women, it’s not just for us. It’s for everyone.

Even standing in line feels different — the energy is electric. There’s this shared excitement that’s already more fun than line-ups where the only jokes people of colour are ‘expected’ to make are about stereotypes about people of colour. Instant ick.

Instead, the jokes land across a glorious spectrum — from awkward Finn’s Beach Club encounters (a welcome reframe of hazy Bali nights), to generational trauma, to diaper changes, to why Australia needs better Acknowledgements of Country. 

Then there’s the spicy stuff - aunties and their unsolicited body-shaming, our (lack of) sex ed, our (very real) sex lives, and the joy of being loud and unapologetically brown on stage. It’s all the stuff we weren’t allowed to say, now finally being said - and said with brilliance and bite.

The show features four brown women comedians: Punjabi-Australian Brown Women Comedy Founder Daizy Maan, Mysore-born Indian Ramya Ramapriya, one of the freshest voices in Indian standup and YouTube rising star Niv Prakasam, and recent guest on ABC’s Win The Week Melbourne-based Kru Harale.

Daizy Maan, the founder of Brown Women Comedy, puts it best:

“Comedy is a powerful way to tackle shame, and shame is such a big source of oppression — especially for women in our communities."

"Brown Women Comedy is about reclaiming that shame, turning it into humour."

"When women get on stage, and they talk about topics we are all thinking about and nobody is talking about because it is unbecoming of a woman to talk about these things."

"For me, the power of arts and entertainment to change perspectives, and when we change perspectives, we change culture in a way that everybody feels a sense of belonging.”

That’s exactly what this show does. Whether you’re in the crowd or on stage, you leave feeling a little lighter. A little louder. A little less ashamed to just say it as it is.

This year, Niv Prakasam flew in from India for her first performance outside the country:

“I’ve only ever performed in India… so Brown Women Comedy has given me an opportunity to find out if I’m funny in another country. I had to tweak my jokes and check if they work among an Indian audience here because our experiences and perception of India are so different.”

She adds:

“As a woman from India, anything you say on a stage is an act of resistance because most people aren’t happy to see you there. But every Indian female comedian I know has used comedy for their activism. Something we also get criticised for a lot.”

It’s easy to assume Brown Women Comedy isn’t for you if you’re not brown or not a woman. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Priya Ravindra, founder of sustainable gifting company, Punar and a member of the SAARI Community, says:

“These insanely talented women are turning lived experiences into laughter — the best medicine indeed! No topic is taboo. This is about beginning systemic change and rising above patriarchal bullshit. Laughing and lifting women? What more can we ask for?”

There’s something deeply special about watching comedy that doesn’t rely on punching down or tired stereotypes. As actor Kasuni Imbulana, soon to be featured in SAARI's South Asian Creatives Directory, shares:

“Representation in the arts means everything to me — and seeing it grow in comedy is huge. This isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about showing the world that South Asian women are smart, beautiful, kind, talented and hilarious. Comedy is such a powerful way to challenge stereotypes, make space for our stories, and Brown Women Comedy does exactly that.”

Daizy shares that in 2023, of over 650 shows at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, only four solo shows were by South Asian women. That’s not a typo. Four. In a country with 1.3 million South Asians.

“This is why the show exists. We sorely lack representation. We want more people to see that they have a place in comedy, that their stories matter and are worth laughing at — in a good way.”

That’s also why Daizy launched the Brown Women Comedy Workshops — an 8-week program supported by the City of Melbourne that took 17 women through the art of standup. I was lucky enough to be part of it. And it was one of the best (and most fun) things I’ve ever done.

It felt like after-work therapy — three hours of chatting shit with your mates, turning trauma into masala-infused humour. Which is exactly what this show is about. Shaadi & More’s founder Prerna Karnani,  nailed it when she said:

“The difference is the level of relatability — it was almost like you’re sharing an inside joke with a few close friends but in a room full of strangers.”

Before I did the workshops, sure, I knew I was funny (hello, queen of turning all trauma into comedy), but I never thought I was cut out for stand-up. Yet, performing to a sold-out room of 100 people and making them laugh? One of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done. And now I get to drop the ultimate humblebrag: “Oh yeah, when I did stand-up.” And all I want is for more brown women to have that moment. Because we are funny. And we deserve the space for this.

And this space is for everyone. Daizy says:

“My set is for South Asian women and folks with migrant experiences — but I’ve had Greek, Italian and so many others say they related. My strength is in being deeply authentic while still resonating widely.”

If I haven’t convinced you yet, the short answer is there are so many reasons to love this show. But maybe the biggest one is this: the vibe is unmatched. Before, during, and after the show, it feels like you’re sitting at a family dinner table where everyone’s riffing and both the laughter and energy are infectious.

So my first ask: since it started, over 4,000 people have seen this show — don’t wait. Book your ticket now. Because trust me, you don’t want FOMO until next year.

And second: if you’ve ever thought about trying stand-up — do it. We absolutely need more POC voices on stage.

And for me? Brown Women Comedy is my favourite comedy day of the year. I wait for it. And every single time, it delivers. 

The verdict: Five stars — not just for the laughs, but also for the work it’s doing in shifting culture.

🎟️ Tickets + Discount Code

Catch Brown Women Comedy live at the Melbourne (until 20th April)  and Sydney shows (22-25 April): 
 👉 Melbourne: Buy Tickets Here 
 👉 Sydney: Buy Tickets Here 

Use SAARI at checkout for discounted tickets to all Melbourne shows.  (Sydney discount code SAARI coming soon – try but also keep an eye out for the official release 👀)

Devni Vihara is a lawyer, human rights advocate, (sometimes comedian) and speaker - working between Australia and Sri Lanka.

She is the recipient of the 2023 Australian South Asian Stellar Woman Award and a 2024 Global Citizen Youth Leader Award. Find Devni on Instagram or Substack at @devnivihara_