FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER SOUTH ASIAN COMICS TAKE
CENTER STAGE ON BROADWAY TO NEGATE STEREOTYPES
ABOUT RACE, CULTURE, GENDER, SEXUALITY AND POLITICS
THROUGH  THE MEDIUM OF THE MASSES : HUMOR 

Engendered & Caroline's on Broadway and  present INDOPHILE, the first-ever comedy show comprised of South Asian talent from around the world 

(New York, NY - January 18, 2010) Caroline's on Broadway, America's premier comedy nightclub, has teamed up with Engendered, a transnational arts and human rights organization, to present a unique new live comedy show called Indophile that will feature the best and most diverse stand-up comedians of South Asian origin.  

Indophile shatters the boundaries created by race, gender, sexuality and religion to showcase hilarious contemporary comedy that brings marginalized South Asian voices into the mainstream.

"Comedy has long used incendiary subjects to create outrage, and in the process, foster dialogue," says Myna Mukherjee, Founder and Executive Director of Engendered. " The tone of the show fits with the mission of our organization to raise awareness, break silences and impact perceptions around the issues of religion, race, gendered identities, stereotyping, bias and sexual choice, and further how those issues relate to the affirmation or violation of human rights."

"South Asian comics continue to make their indelible mark on mainstream American culture," says Louis Faranda, General Manager, Caroline's on Broadway. "We are so proud to diversify our acts and include the voices and talents of this under-explored region."

"As an openly gay South Asian comic, my actions, thoughts, and voice have all been marginalized," says Vidur Kapur, the comedian headlining Indophile. "Caroline's and Engendered are presenting us a unique opportunity to speak our minds on the grandest performance stage in the world."

INDOPHILE will debut at Carolines on Broadway, 1626 Broadway, between 49th and 50th Streets, on Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday, February 25 at 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 per person plus a two-beverage minimum and can be purchased online at www.carolines.com.  For more information or to make a reservation, call the Caroline's on Broadway Box Office at 212.757.4100. 

The comedians performing on Indophile include: 

VIDUR KAPUR - A gay Indian immigrant, nominated for a NewNowNext Award by MTV Network's Logo channel as "Brink of Fame" comic. Vidur has been one of the top 3 acts on US college campuses and was featured as one of the finalists on "New York's Funniest Stand Up" as part of the 2009 New York Comedy Festival. He has toured India, the UK, Ireland, South Africa and the Caribbean

SHAZIA MIRZA - A British Pakistani comedienne who gained notoriety after 9/11 for performing her act in recognizable hijab dress  and for her laconic one-liners. She has appeared on CBS's "60 Minutes," NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and BBC and has toured Pakistan, Europe and the US. In March 2009, she was listed on the inaugural Muslim Women's Power List as one of the 20 most successful Muslim women in the UK

HARI KONDABOLU - An Indo-American comedian who has been described by the Seattle Times as " a young man reaching for the hand scalding torch of confrontational comics like Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor" Hari has appeared on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham" and is currently appearing on the network's "John Oliver's New York Stand up Show."

ANU KALRA - An Indo American native New Yorker who is a regular on the New York comedy scene and has toured nationally and appeared on CollegeHumor.com.

MONROK - An Australian born Indo American comedienne whose unique brand of dry witty humor won her the title of "California's Funniest Female"

Additional comedians and South Asian celebrities will be added to this bill.