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Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Singapore-based comedian Sharul Channa brings punchlines, Punjabi family humour to Pune
1 2 3 Pune: Singapore-based comedian Sharul Channa has embarked on a multi-city tour across India with her latest stand-up special, 'Saree-ously Not Sorry'. Armed with an arsenal of unpopular opinions, a glamorous saree, and zero interest in being agreeable, she will take the stage at Godaam Specialty Coffee Co. in Shivajinagar on July 19. A trained theatre actor turned stand-up artist, Sharul did not exactly plan to be Singapore's first Indian-origin female comic. "I started stand-up 13 years ago when a comedy club owner asked me to do a three-minute performance because there were no Singaporean women in the scene at that time. My training in theatre helped me become confident on stage, and I learnt basic performance skills in acting school. Having said that, we break the fourth wall in stand-up comedy, and that only comes with practice when you jump up on stage for open mics," said Channa. Since then, Channa has worked rooms across continents, blending her theatre chops with no-nonsense candour. Born in India and raised in Singapore, her comedy straddles both worlds. "Singapore helped me understand different cultures and customs in depth since we are a cosmopolitan and multicultural society. But my Indian roots remain strong and influence my comedy style in a big way. My humour is expressive, colourful, and always circling back to idiosyncrasies," Channa said. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Singapore's comedy circuit, she explained, is seen to currently be in its "third wave" and still enjoys race-based humour. "We're a multicultural society. There are more than four races in Singapore, and we love to address our similarities and differences to celebrate them. Singapore's comedy scene is one of the friendliest in the world," she said. A highlight in her career so far was opening for Malaysian-born American actor-comedian Ronny Chieng's Double Confirm show in Singapore in 2023. "Malaysian and Singaporean audiences are very polite; they are some of the hardest crowds to crack, but once they laugh, they trust you, and it's all up from there. Indian audiences laugh loud, interrupt, and its community comedy. I feed off their energy," she said. Channa does not worry much about hecklers either. Handling interruptions is not just part of the job for her, but she turns it into a reminder that women on stage are not there just to play nice. "A drunk man once heckled me in Malaysia. But that turned out to be in my favour. I told him off in a funny way, and he kept quiet thereafter," she recalled. In her upcoming show, Channa dives into a script that is personal and political with equal flair. "I love performing in India because the audience in every city differs in the energy they bring and what they laugh at. I love that challenge. I also enjoy celebrating my 'Indian-ness'. In the show, I will talk about travel, airplanes, current events, my dog, my husband, and how I survived Punjabi family 'trauma'," she said. Channa is married to fellow comedian Rishi Budhrani, with whom she occasionally performs as 'Asia's Funniest Couple'. "Onstage, it is no holds barred. Offstage, all our fights mostly become funny, and many jokes come out of it. Our marriage is one lifetime of comedy specials," she laughed. Pune: Singapore-based comedian Sharul Channa has embarked on a multi-city tour across India with her latest stand-up special, 'Saree-ously Not Sorry'. Armed with an arsenal of unpopular opinions, a glamorous saree, and zero interest in being agreeable, she will take the stage at Godaam Specialty Coffee Co. in Shivajinagar on July 19. A trained theatre actor turned stand-up artist, Sharul did not exactly plan to be Singapore's first Indian-origin female comic. "I started stand-up 13 years ago when a comedy club owner asked me to do a three-minute performance because there were no Singaporean women in the scene at that time. My training in theatre helped me become confident on stage, and I learnt basic performance skills in acting school. Having said that, we break the fourth wall in stand-up comedy, and that only comes with practice when you jump up on stage for open mics," said Channa. Since then, Channa has worked rooms across continents, blending her theatre chops with no-nonsense candour. Born in India and raised in Singapore, her comedy straddles both worlds. "Singapore helped me understand different cultures and customs in depth since we are a cosmopolitan and multicultural society. But my Indian roots remain strong and influence my comedy style in a big way. My humour is expressive, colourful, and always circling back to idiosyncrasies," Channa said. Singapore's comedy circuit, she explained, is seen to currently be in its "third wave" and still enjoys race-based humour. "We're a multicultural society. There are more than four races in Singapore, and we love to address our similarities and differences to celebrate them. Singapore's comedy scene is one of the friendliest in the world," she said. A highlight in her career so far was opening for Malaysian-born American actor-comedian Ronny Chieng's Double Confirm show in Singapore in 2023. "Malaysian and Singaporean audiences are very polite; they are some of the hardest crowds to crack, but once they laugh, they trust you, and it's all up from there. Indian audiences laugh loud, interrupt, and its community comedy. I feed off their energy," she said. Channa does not worry much about hecklers either. Handling interruptions is not just part of the job for her, but she turns it into a reminder that women on stage are not there just to play nice. "A drunk man once heckled me in Malaysia. But that turned out to be in my favour. I told him off in a funny way, and he kept quiet thereafter," she recalled. In her upcoming show, Channa dives into a script that is personal and political with equal flair. "I love performing in India because the audience in every city differs in the energy they bring and what they laugh at. I love that challenge. I also enjoy celebrating my 'Indian-ness'. In the show, I will talk about travel, airplanes, current events, my dog, my husband, and how I survived Punjabi family 'trauma'," she said. Channa is married to fellow comedian Rishi Budhrani, with whom she occasionally performs as 'Asia's Funniest Couple'. "Onstage, it is no holds barred. Offstage, all our fights mostly become funny, and many jokes come out of it. Our marriage is one lifetime of comedy specials," she laughed.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
In Pune this week, Singapore comedian who has a witty name for Ranbir Kapoor's biopic
Stand-up comedian Sharul Channa's shows are packed with observations and comments on everyday matters, news, and social observations, and tend to leave audiences in splits. On June 19, Channa will perform her latest show Saree-ously Not Sorry at Godaam Specialty Coffee Co in Pune's Shivajinagar. Saree-ously Not Sorry, which explores current events and society, is a continuation of her earlier show, Saree Not Sorry, and taps into her Indian identity. Channa's father was from Delhi, and her mother from Punjab, and her family moved to Singapore when she was three. 'Although I have toured the world, performed in various cities, and grown up in a multicultural society, as an Indian woman, I believe that I, like many other Indian women, look best and beautiful in a saree. It represents our identity and dresses us up beautifully. I also plan on wearing sarees for all my shows, my entire lifetime. That's why Saree-ously Not Sorry!' she says. Trained in theatre at the prestigious Lasalle College of Arts, Channa combines theatrical storytelling with her stand-up performances, creating a rich experience. 'I read the news a lot, and I watch a lot of people. Touring across Southeast Asia has helped me connect more deeply with my voice and expression as a comedian. I have come to understand what resonates with audiences — especially in India — and where the invisible lines are drawn. I, now, know which jokes land, which ones don't, and which ones might get me an all-expenses-paid trip… to jail,' she says with a smile. She keeps a tab on Bollywood too. She says that when she found out that actor Ranbir Kapoor would be playing the role of Lord Ram in the film Ramayana, she kept thinking of his previous role in Animal. 'Now, if Ranbir Kapoor has a biopic, it will be called Kabhi Ram, Kabhi Haiwaan,' she quips. She also delves deeper into how people have been behaving lately. 'Lately, it feels like the world has turned into one big episode of reality TV, with frequent flyers, plane etiquette meltdowns, and relationship drama taking centre stage. We're constantly debating personal boundaries at 30,000 feet and questioning how we interact with one another on the ground. Amid all this, there's also the deeper question: Does the world need more children? Or do we need to first become better people?' Channa says stand-up comedians should take risks on stage, but they must also 'stand by it and take accountability'.
Business Recorder
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Prices of important kitchen items show mixed trend
PESHAWAR: Mixed trend in prices of important kitchen items, like vegetables, pulses, sugar, live chicken/meat, cooking oil/ghee, flour and other was witnessed in the retail market, said in a weekly market survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday. In retail market, price of live chicken has gone up, available at Rs345 per kilogram against the price of Rs330/kg, showing an increase of Rs15 per kilogram, the survey noted. Price of farm eggs remained high as being sold at Rs360 per dozen. Cow meat was available at Rs1100/kg against the fixed price by local administration at Rs800-900/kg while boneless meat is being sold at Rs1300/kg in the open market. Mutton beef was being sold at Rs2500/kg in the open market, the survey added. It noted prices of various varieties and brands of cooking oil/ghee remained unchanged in the open market. Price of sugar has further increased at Rs180/ kg from Rs175/kg, the survey said. Furthermore, the survey said one kilogram tomato was available at Rs50 and 60 and Rs70/kg in the open market, according to the survey. Onion was being sold at Rs70-80/kg in the previous week while some vendors and dealers charged a self-imposed price in the retail market. Ginger and garlic remained unchanged as being available at Rs800/kg and Rs400 and Rs600/kg respectively. Green chilli was being sold at Rs120/kg, the survey said. Peas was being sold at Rs150/180 per kg against the price of Rs120/kg, capsicum at Rs150/kilo, ladyfinger Rs120/ kilo, and curry Rs70/ kg and, Kachalu Rs150-200/ kilo, turnip at Rs150/kg Eggplant (bringle) Rs100/ kilo, Zucchini (tori) Rs100/ kilo, Tinda Rs100/kg, lemon was being sold at Rs600-700/ kg. Arvi was available at Rs200/kg, cabbage at Rs100/kg, red-coloured potatoes available at Rs70/ kg while white coloured potatoes are sold at Rs50/ kg in the retail market. Price of flour was stable in the retail market as 20-kg fine flour sac was being sold at Rs1750-1800 and Rs1900/sac and brown coloured flour sac at Rs1500-1600/sac in the open market. Wheat flour and other products like maida, soji and choker flour remained high in the retail market. According to the survey, prices of all brands and qualities of beverages also remained high in the local market. Black tea was being sold at Rs1400-1500 per kg. The survey said good quality rice (sela) was available at Rs320/kg, while low quality rice was available at Rs300/kg, while tota rice was available at Rs180-200/kg. The survey said dal mash was available at Rs480/kg against the Rs420/kg, dal masoor at Rs320 per kilo, dal chilka (black) at Rs320/kg, dal chilka (green) at Rs260/kg, moonge at Rs360/kg against Rs320/kg, dhoti dal at Rs400/kg, dal Channa at Rs320/kg against Rs280/kg, white lobiya at Rs340/kg, red bean at Rs440/ kg, Gram flour (baisen) at Rs420/kg against Rs280/kg, big-size white Channa at Rs380/kg, small-size white Channa from Rs360/kg. The prices of the fruits: Apple was available from Rs250-300 and Rs400-500/kg, banana at Rs200-250/dozen, pomegranate at Rs400-500 per kg, guava at Rs250-300/kg. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Kuwait Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Activists launch land convoy from Maghreb states to break Gaza siege
TUNIS: Tunisians gather at a meeting point in Tunis on June 9, 2025, ahead of the departure of a land convoy named 'Steadfastness' to break the siege on Gaza. - AFP Hundreds of people from Algeria, Tunisia and other countries launched on Monday a land convoy bound for Gaza, seeking to break Israel's siege on the Palestinian territory, activists said. The nine-bus "Soumoud" convoy, meaning "steadfastness" in Arabic, launched from Maghreb countries aiming to pass through Libya and Egypt and arrive in Rafah, in southern Gaza, "by the end of the week", activist Jawaher Channa said. "We are about a thousand people, and we will have more join us along the way," said Channa, spokeswoman of the Tunisian Coordination of Joint Action for Palestine, the group organizing the caravan. The group, which contains doctors, includes Algerian, Mauretanian, Moroccan and Libyan activists. - AFP
Leaders
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Tunisian-led Convoy Heads to Gaza to Break Israeli Siege
Hundreds of activists joined a land convoy of buses and private cars, which departed from Tunisia's capital on Monday heading for Gaza, reported AFP. The aim of the convoy is to 'break the siege' imposed on the Gaza Strip, which has become 'the hungriest place on Earth,' according to the UN. While the nine-bus convoy will not bring aid into the enclave, it aims to break the blockade in a 'symbolic act.' The convoy, which carries the name 'Soumoud' (steadfastness), involves activists and doctors and is expected to reach the southern Gaza city of Rafah by the end of the week, according to the spokeswoman of the Tunisian Coordination of Joint Action for Palestine, the group organizing the convoy, Jawaher Channa. The land convoy includes around thousand people from Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Morocco and Libya, with more people expected to join along its journey. 'We are about a thousand people, and we will have more join us along the way,' Channa said. The convoy will travel along the Tunisian and Libyan coasts, before crossing Egypt into Rafah. However, the Egyptian authorities have not yet given permissions for the convoy to cross its borders, Channa said. The North African initiative follows a similar one by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in which its Madleen aid boat failed to reach Gaza's coast as Israeli forces seized it and detained all activists on board. The boat sailed from Sicily towards Gaza on June 1 to challenge the ongoing Israeli blockade and deliver a small amount of aid, in a symbolic show of support. Madleen was carrying 12 activists, including Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament. It was carrying a small amount of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula. Short link : Post Views: 12
