Desi Comedy Festival allows South Asian performers to reclaim the punchlines
The Daily Californian Thursday August 24, 2017
“Desi comedians need to be loud like Dhaya Lakshminarayanan and use their voices to build bridges among the hyphenated-American communities. She was one of the few performers to successfully reel in the unsupportive audience that night, partly because she didn’t simply retell events like other rising comedians did. Lakshminarayanan added her own flair and truly focused on the presentation.”
Special Edition: Dhaya Lakshminarayanan on her most treasured book
San Francisco Chronicle March 10, 2017
“I sat immersed in story hour. I was a hyperactive kid who sometimes got into fights, talked too loudly and made a mess. For that one hour, I was still.”
Seven Comedians React to Trump’s Victory
San Francisco Magazine November 18, 2016
“[one day after the election] I was booked at Cobb’s with a group of comedians from Saudi Arabia on a tour of the U.S. And they’re doing jokes about how Saudi men do this, and Saudi women can’t do that. And I’m like, who are we to make fun of the Saudis? We’ve got our own Saudi Arabia brewing here!”
Laughing through the pain: comics on how to handle a Trump presidency
The Guardian November 13, 2016
“I was lucky enough to perform in San Quentin prison for an all-male mostly men of color audience this year…It was about understanding people different from you and knowing that fear might creep up but staying open is essential… I felt it in the kindness that they showed me and how one of the prisoners offered to pray for my father, who was going to have surgery at the time. I am of a different faith than that prisoner but during that moment I accepted whatever prayers from whatever religion because what was behind that was kindness. And moving forward this kindness and empathy is going to feel very hard. But this is part of getting things done in a country which feels like not your own suddenly.”
KQED Women to Watch: Dhaya Lakshminarayanan
KQED July 27, 2016
“Dhaya Lakshminarayanan is one of the funniest people around. The daughter of South Indian academics who emigrated to the U.S. before she was born, Lakshminarayanan grew up in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio and Birmingham, Alabama and was a Silicon Valley venture capitalist before she took an unlikely turn towards standup comedy. Today, her career is taking off, with appearances on NPR and PBS, a slew of awards and gigs that take her all over the country. ”
People We Love: Dhaya Lakshminarayanan: Comedian, Storyteller, Host Of Sarcasmic!
Ravishly April 12, 2016
“She’s a stand-up veteran, a Moth Story SLAM host, and the host of Ravishly’s very own podcast, Sarcasmic! … We know you’ll love her as much as we do. Check out our latest podcast episodes with Dhaya, and keep an eye out for more in the future!”
Eight Women of Color Comedians On Sexism, Racism and Making People Laugh
Wear Your Voice March 27, 2016
“Dhaya Lakshminarayanan is a badass feminist Indian-American comedian. She recently performed in …{the} Man Haters show and, despite being the only straight woman on the lineup, she had the audience of over 150 mostly queer people cracking up.”
The Bay Area’s 11 Best Stand Up Comedians
SFist March 14, 2016
“…I am available for private gigs at your company that provides free food and fancy cucumber and berry waters.’ On a less bougie note, Dhaya will be performing today at San Quentin State Prison.”
Punching Up: All-female line-up takes over Punch Line Comedy Club for Women’s History Month
48 Hills March 7, 2016
“For a more personal angle on the proceedings, I asked Dhaya about what this kind of event meant to her, and women in comedy general…”
16 Artists to Watch in 2016
SF Weekly January 5, 2016
“Dhaya, a regular host of the Moth Storytelling show, is a casual conversationalist whose comedy makes you feel like you’re chatting with an old friend.”
Second Annual ‘Desi Comedy Fest’ Leaves Audiences in Splits
India West August 19, 2015
“Dhaya Lakshminarayanan, undoubtedly one of the funniest comedians in the lineup… went into her experiences growing up in Alabama, people’s inability to pronounce her last name and the difficulties of being a smart woman.”
These Comedians Are Shaking Up the Stand-Up Scene
East Bay Express March 25, 2015
“Diversity! Women in comedy! Blah blah blah,” Lakshminarayanan, a San Francisco-based comic, said at the start of our interview. “Who wants to come to a show advertised as medicine, as good for your cholesterol?”
Wrap up Women’s History Month with a big laugh. (Don’t worry, it’s OK.)
48 Hills March 25, 2015
“…kicking off a new series of diverse-minded comedy and brought to us by beloved local comics Karinda Dobbins and Dhaya Lakshminarayanan.”
Brain teaser
Bay Guardian 09/23/14
“I almost feel like it forces me to talk about things that are maybe a little bit cerebral or a little bit intellectual or a little bit uncomfortable that women are not supposed to talk about,” {Lakshminarayanan} says.
Venture capitalist ditches tech investing for stand-up comedy
San Jose Mercury 10/15/2012
“I love that Dhaya doesn’t fall back on any crutch like that,” Barbieri added. “She’s writing smart stuff that’s really relatable.”
Previously Secret Information
SF Weekly Mar 21, 2011
“Lakshminarayanan held the audience’s attention and got many laughs – as well as prolonged applause.”
Laughing Matters
MIT Theta Magazine Winter 2011-12
“Distinguished by two degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dhaya Lakshminarayanan takes to the stage and leaves them laughing as a smart, savvy, successful–and somewhat unexpected–stand-up comic.”
Funny Girl
Indian American Magazine Sep-Oct 2010
“Her cultural roots, parents, MIT education and being a nerd are all part of comedian Lakshminarayanan’s stand-up, yet she is able to transcend ethnic labels.”
Tickling America’s Funny Bone
Span Magazine 4/2010
“Indian values, food and yoga find a place in the stand-up act of Indian American comedian Dhaya Lakshminarayanan.”
Standing up for academics
Boston Globe 2/16/2010
“Chosen from among 25 candidates for the gig, Dhaya Lakshminarayanan (right) is a business consultant and stand-up comedian who happens to have two degrees from MIT.”
Desi Women, Offbeat Paths
India Currents 2/2010
“[Dhaya] loves comedy because she loves people—what makes them tick, what they laugh at, what they are willing to see about their lives and culture.”
Entertainment with a Cause
India Currents 10/2009
“In addition to highlighting the work of AIF and the honorees, the evening will feature some excellent entertainment…Dhaya Lakshminarayanan, a popular San Franciscan stand-up comic, will be the emcee.”
Alumna Gets Laughs In Ashdown Stand-Up
The Tech MIT 4/2009
“Her sharply written material…manages to navigate the complex landscape of political jokes and social satire with art and aplomb. After all, she taught “Charm School” to MIT engineers.”