A Flakey Evening

Looking at Saurabh Tak you’d think here’s another Indian immigrant who has recently returned from the States and now has a box full of jokes about Americans. Well, you may be right, or you may want to hear this one out. Saurabh’s United Flakes of America promises to give you a different, edgier, funnier perspective on life, based on his own experiences in America. He has performed at various venues, including Columbia University in New York, Woolly Mammoth Theater in Washington DC and the Un-cabaret in Los Angeles. Revisiting his country of origin after 10 years, he is now all set to perform at The Attic, New Delhi.

Tell us a bit about Saurabh Tak. What’s your story? I was born in a small town in Rajasthan, big on salt production and grew up in another small town in U.P., big on aluminum production. There’s a bit!

Give us a peek into United Flakes of America. What is it about and why did you give it that interesting title? If you were to ask me, ‘So Saurabh, tell us the nicest thing about Americans?’ Then I’d have to tell you it’s their eagerness to keep stepping up with generous offers of their capability to help out or please. Now if you were to ask me what’s the shittiest thing about Americans then I’d have to tell you it’s their totally amnesiac ability to forget about the said offers only seconds later! They call it “flaking out” – probably some kind of national pastime! The funny thing is that I never really asked them for these things in the first place. But no, they have to dangle these goodies in front of me and raise my hopes to the heavens and then bring me back down in a nasty crash! Somebody learns about my favorite pair of pants getting badly ripped during a night of wild dancing? Well, guess what, she wants me not to worry because ‘even better pants are in your future’, precisely on my upcoming birthday. My birthday comes and goes. I am still pantless…

And these flakes come in all types imaginable: white, black, Indian, straight, gay, rich, poor, Hindu, Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, and so on. But I still love all these diverse flakes and the great land they call home – United Flakes of America. I can’t help it! Also, I guess I just was looking for a catchy title for this one. And it did catch your attention, right?

Are most your jokes based from personal experiences? I am going to tell stories. Stories that certain people have found humorous in the past. But I can’t promise a jolly good time. I told one of my stories at a standup comedy open mic in Bombay. When I stepped off the stage the producer sincerely informed me of the poetry night the following week! Just saying!

Yes, I’d say most of my material draws from my personal experiences. You’ve no clue how much time I spend looking at myself in the mirror every day.

Where do you go from here? I’ve been reliably told that Delhi has the hottest girls in India! So after the show I’ll just roam Connaught Place and wish for one. Preferably one who doesn’t smoke like the chimney of an Indian aluminum factory. I also want to make some sketch videos; public art; a slicker one-man show; and productions involving cooking, and dancing. Hopefully you’ll get to see some published writing, too._

Catch Saurabh perform at The Attic, Connaught Place, New Delhi on 6th June at 6:30 pm.

Read what people have said about Saurabh here.

By: Radhika Iyengar
Follow me on twitter @radziyengar