Punjabi Wabi Sabi
Bollywood meets Breaking Bad? What if Saddam Hussein had a love child with Britney Spears? Hilarious storytelling, don't miss this irreverant, autobiographical and moving stand-up show by Tahina Awan: a middle-aged, delinquent, perverted, first-gen Canadian Muslim woman from small town BC. Revamped and back by popular demand!!
Tahina Awan’s Punjabi Wabi Sabi was funny, heartfelt, and refreshingly real. Tahina has a way of making you laugh while celebrating the beautiful chaos of Punjabi culture, family, and identity. Clever, relatable, and full of personality — definitely a Fringe show worth seeing!
From the moment she steps on stage, Tahina Awan throttles expectations and flips any assumption you could have made; an honest reflection of the rest of this show.
Punjabi Wabi Sabi is a one-woman storytelling show that details the life of Awan as she details the vibrant events of her youth. Tahina recalls events with an incredible fluidity, shifting from colonial factoids to lucid flashbacks with a natural ease that only adds to the production’s messaging.The themes is question are those of race, identity, and resilience, though the generally lighthearted tone makes these otherwise weighty topics incredibly digestible. Tahina’s bubbly personality is the anchor of this show— her presence on stage feels more like a conversation between friends than a blunt, one sided retelling, which is honestly a feat in itself.
Though this production is largely humorous, there are moments of deep, cutting honesty that are only amplified by the show’s comedic nature. Tahina’s use of tension and release in this way is masterful: she has truly mastered the art of storytelling. Overall, the heavier themes embedded within the story’s narrative are handled with stunning precision and remain deeply personal to Tahina’s own life. To support the comedy surrounding these weighty topics, Tahina utilizes an incredible knack for physicality to embody the caricature-esque characters that composed various aspects of her lives— this was a huge highlight.
If you want to challenge racist, colonial rhetoric while enjoying a guaranteed laugh… or two… or ten, Punjabi Wabi Sabi will not disappoint!
Tahina Awan brings comedy gold in her show Punjabi wabi sabi. She does a wide range of impressions and accents that were so funny and her storytelling lands deeply. Thank you for such an unforgettable experience Tahina! My favorite show in the fringe!!
Tahina Awan is effortlessly funny and a wonderful storyteller. She honors both her Muslim Punjabi roots and her Canadian identity while making you laugh at the awkwardness of adolescence and cry at the weight of racism and trauma—yet she’s never a victim. She radiates a warmth that makes you want to hug her, mixed with irreverence, intelligence and a huge heart. It made me want to hug her... and go to her next show!
Fitting In, Standing Out
Punjabi Wabi Sabi is a hilarious stand up autobiographical comedy of what it's like to be a first-gen Canadian Muslim teenager in the 80s. Follow Awan in her one woman show as she talks about her story that includes racism, identity, and trauma that mashes together into part theatre and part stand up. Awan’s show is unexpected and fun as she has a knack for storytelling, a perfect Friday night entertainment. Although some jokes don’t land the same as for those who grew up in the 80s compared to those who didn’t, there’s still some jokes for everyone. Overall Awan’s Punjabi Wabi Sabi is a delightful show about fighting to be yourself in a world that wants you to blend in and a great evening entertainment.