Maitreyi Karanth’s journey to comedy has proven
that it’s never too late to chase your passions, make people laugh, and leave a
lasting mark one joke at a time. She’s already made history as the first woman
in Hong Kong to sell out ten nights of a one-woman headliner show. Now she's on
her way to Melbourne with her show Maitriarchy, where she explores
midlife, family chaos, and global adventures, with sharp humour, candid
reflections, and a playful look at life’s surprising twists.
Karanth’s path to performing has been anything but conventional. It began when she turned 40 and came to terms with having outlived her father, who died when she was nine. It wasn’t until she reached 44 - an age when most people are clinging to stability - that she chose to trade certainty for a microphone. "Growing up in a small town in India, all I ever wanted to be was an actress. I was always in school plays, giving speeches, and performing. But when my father, a passionate public speaker himself, passed away, and with my mum being blind and no money at all, life changed completely. At that time, a fatherless girl going on stage was a big no-no," she explains.
"I completed my studies, got married, and
moved abroad, where life took me on a number of unexpected but wonderful paths.
When I turned 40, I realised I had inherited my father’s talents, outlived him,
and yet I’d done nothing with them. So I closed down my thriving mathematics
tutoring business and joined acting classes, where I was the only woman and the
only 40-year-old in my class," Karanth continues. "I quickly came to
see that for acting, I was 'too old, too fat, and too outdated', which is how I
stumbled into stand-up comedy! Taking this up later in life has had its
advantages but I’m a late bloomer in general. I had my first alcoholic drink at
29, watched a movie alone at 38, and sat in a bar alone at 40!”
Far from slowing down, Karanth welcomes the prospect of getting older and gathering richer - and maybe even a few spicier - experiences. "Many people my age say 'been there, done that', but I continue to find so much joy in discovering life. Comedy, travel, aging ungracefully, and truly listening to people, all bring perspective. I no longer feel the need to be rebellious just for the sake of it, and that brings great balance to my thoughts. I think that comes with age."
"Having gone through menopause and its glorious effects, I found myself wondering if the romantic part of life was over. I attended a bingo lunch organised by women over 60 (my best friend is in her 60s, so I was there as a guest!). The lady calling out the numbers was 72 years old. When she got number 69, she announced, 'dinner for two with a hairy view - 69!' Everyone burst out laughing, except me, who took a second to catch on! And I thought, 'wow, these 60-plus-year-olds are frisky!' So now I’m genuinely keen for that chapter of my life!"
Being the first woman in Hong Kong to sell out ten nights of a headliner show is an achievement she values, particularly for the connection it has fostered with her audiences and the ways it has resonated with their own relationships and outlooks on life. "When I started comedy, I was simply finding my way through my talent and the world. I never set out to represent anyone. But soon, I came to appreciate what representation means to others," she tells me.
"A young woman came up to me and said she had seen me perform in Singapore, and
that it made her proud to see a woman on stage. Later, an elderly woman
approached me and said, 'we thought we’d never hear a woman say the things
we’ve always wanted to say in our lifetime.' Then a 20-year-old told me she
wanted to bring her mum to my show, saying, 'we don’t always see eye-to-eye,
but perhaps if she hears you, she’ll understand me better'. Women from
different generations and backgrounds have felt seen through my work, and
that’s incredibly fulfilling, even if a little daunting at times."
"Maitriarchy reflects a woman who is well-travelled, lives life to the fullest, and loves human and animal connections," she tells me. "I hope the audience feels inspired by the power of comedy, laughter, and a person taking charge of her own story. Regardless of gender, I would love if they left feeling happy and empowered."
THE MICF QUICKFIRE FIVE
1. The most memorable audience reaction I've ever received is a standing ovation!
2. A totally absurd award I’d win if it existed is contributions to road safety award, if given the day I gave up driving.
3. The worst thing I have ever eaten is...it used to be olives, but now I love them! See, there is always hope!
4. One backstage ritual that makes me feel ready to get on stage is listening to the host always makes me feel ready!
5. If I could swap places with another comedian for a day, it would be Sarah Silverman, just so I could do the duet with Matt Damon! I have watched that duet a million times!
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: Ballers Clubhouse, 2 Coverlid Place, Melbourne
Season: 7 - 19 April | Thu - Mon 6:15pm
Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $28 - $32 Full | $26 Conc | $22 Tightarse Tuesday
Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
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